Choosing Beautiful Interior Doors

Sliding Doors: The Good And The Bad

If you've got a busy family, the doors on your home or patio are constantly being opened and closed. With that constant use, you quickly get to know their quirks and annoyances. That's one reason why it's so important to choose the option with the best quality and durability. When it comes to doors that open onto a patio, sliding doors are some of the most popular. If you're considering what to choose for your home, here are a few of the advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages

The number one advantage of sliding doors is that they are space savers. Because the doors will never take up any more space than the size of the opening they occupy, they're ideal for smaller homes or spaces where there's no room for the opening of a hinged door. This is the most common reason that homeowners choose a sliding door over something like a French door. The most desirable design element in a home today is an open concept. Homeowners don't want their homes to feel crowded or cramped. Sliding doors provide the best solution to this because they open up any space they're in, allowing full views all around.

Sliding doors are also very convenient to operate. They stay open when opened, which is helpful in a situation like walking through the door with a load of groceries. This feature also makes them less prone to being blown shut by the wind. Additionally, if you live in an area with heavy snowfall, your ability to open the door won't be hampered by snowdrifts. They are also easy for children to operate.

Another reason to choose a sliding door is for the aesthetic. Sliding doors are sleek and modern while hinged doors can sometimes look dated, depending on the style of the door. Most sliding doors are predominately glass and that's a must-have for the smart modern look. 

Disadvantages

One of the main disadvantages of a sliding door is that it's typically less energy efficient than a hinged door. Because sliding doors are composed primarily of glass, and glass isn't a great insulator, they can be less efficient than something like French doors that have more wood or composites. Maintenance may also be an issue on a sliding door because the track must be kept clear of debris and lubricated to ensure ease of use. Security is also an issue with sliding doors. Although they come with locks pre-installed, the types of locks on sliding doors aren't typically as secure as a traditional deadbolt.

Reach out to a professional for more information about sliding doors


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