What is the difference between French doors and sliding doors?
Sliding doors are glass-paned doors that slide horizontally to open, while French doors are doors inset with gridded windows that swing outward to open and close. Both French doors and sliding doors are favored by designers and architects for their ability to let in ample light and unobstructed views since unlike ordinary doors, they are made of glass and not an opaque material like wood or metal. Oftentimes, sliding glass doors and French doors are used in multiples to replace an entire wall with transparent glass. Generally speaking, sliding doors have a more modern appearance than French doors, which originated in the 18th century. French doors’ grids make them a bit more ornate, making them better suited for classic or traditional styles. By contrast, sliding glass doors came heavily into vogue in the mid 20th century, when indoor-outdoor living became all the rage.
Shop Doors on Chairish >>
Lead photo by Ken Gutmaker
