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by Rachel Lyon, Editorial Director for The House Designers®
Whether it’s new architecture or a remodel, bigger and brighter window displays are dominating the design of today’s homes, and there’s no better way to make the most of natural lighting and views than with patio and scenic doors that actually connect outside. Advanced engineering, stronger materials, and a growing desire for seamless transitions have flooded the market with a variety of styles that go far beyond the standard two-panel sliding door. Are you searching for an open and modern look with traditional touches to match your home, or maybe a bold, whole-wall expanse of glass? Here are some different styles of doors that offer the best views around!
Classic French Doors
French doors offer traditional ambiance both inside and out, and they’re a great way to open to a balcony or a refined patio. With hardware that highlights the finer qualities of this category and divided lites that imbue a range of vibes, French doors make a statement with their construction rather than their size. They do have a distinct structural advantage over sliding doors of the same dimensions, though, in that that both doors swing from the centerline for a broader, double-wide opening.
There are inswing and outswing models to consider, and each type has its advantages. In the past, many people favored inswing French doors because the hinges were inside—not in a position to be worn by the elements or to pose a security risk—but the quality of modern hardware has assuaged many of these concerns and now the choice is more often left up to style and functionality. Outswing doors have their fans because exterior clearance is typically more forgiving; walls and furniture are less likely to obstruct their motion, and they won’t take up any square footage in tight places. No matter your preference, there are plenty of features and options that will help you create a beautiful look for your home.
Next-Level Sliding Doors
Anybody who pictures a sliding patio door probably imagines the typical two-panel type, wherein one sash can be pulled alongside the other so there’s one open doorway and the other houses the two sashes, but what if you want something more expansive? Not only are homes being designed with so much glass that entire walls seem to disappear, but people want wider openings that really blur the line between interior and exterior. That means minimizing overlapped space or at least changing the geometry of the panels, and there are a number of ways to do it now.
Many people love French door style but can’t accommodate any swinging action, and that’s where sliding French doors come in. They can be two-panel, but a four-panel arrangement with center sashes that slide to the left and right creates a wider opening and lets in plenty of natural light. If you want more than a 1:1 ratio of open to doubled doorways, look into multi-slide or lift and slide patio doors. Multiple panels, which can span to around 50 feet, are all on the same track system and pull to one side, and in some cases you can have them part somewhere in-between and go in opposite directions. They stack neatly and efficiently to the width of a single panel to erase barriers, and if you really want to maximize the effect, opt for pocket construction that tucks the stack completely into the wall. These scenic doors are right at home in both modern and rustic designs, where they complement the aesthetic by being bright and seamless as well as taking in the surroundings to the highest degree.
Elegant Folding Doors
With looks and operation somewhere between French and sliding, folding doors occupy their own category and definitely get noticed. Panels are hung at the top corners, travel along a track at the bottom, and fold outward. When opened to the fullest extent, the stacked sashes are perpendicular to the door frame, so while folding doors offer exceptional breadth, they are better suited to applications where you want them to also make a statement on their own rather than let the aperture speak for itself. Bright, clean, and with that extra architectural flair, this is another good choice for almost any kind of house and fills a design niche previously unanswered by other models.
No matter your preferences, be sure to explore the selection of patio doors available from Integrity® and Marvin®. You’ll find a number of different products that offer the style and durability you want with enough finishing options to truly customize the final look. Need extraordinary resilience for stormy coastal areas or energy efficiency to keep you comfortable in the setting of your choice? They can help you perfect your doors for your conditions. Check out a case study to see how amazing patio doors can transform a house, and find a local dealer to discuss the possibilities for your own home!
