Before bifolds colonised the aspirational rear extension, Britain reached its gardens two ways. Through a pair of elegant French doors, or through the sliding 'patio door' that arrived with the 1970s. Both are still the right answer for millions of homes, especially on openings under three metres where bifolds make little sense, and choosing between them is a short, satisfying decision once you see the differences laid out. We make both, so we've no horse in this race beyond you picking the one you'll enjoy.
What we mean by each
French doors are a hinged pair meeting in the middle, both leaves opening, usually outward in the UK, to clear the full aperture. Patio doors, in everyday usage, means inline sliders. Two or three glass panels, one or more gliding past the others on tracks. Modern versions of both share materials and glass with everything else in this series, uPVC for value and aluminium for slimmer frames, so the choice really comes down to geometry and habit.
What French doors do best
- Full opening. Swing both leaves back and the entire aperture clears. Proportionally it's the biggest opening of any door type, and it's lovely for furniture, parties and summer.
- Charm. The paired-door look suits period homes, cottages and traditional elevations in a way tracks never will, and alongside heritage windows it completes the period ensemble.
- Simplicity. Hinges and a multi-point lock. No tracks to clean, no rollers to wear, decades of trouble-free swinging.
- Price. The most affordable garden door there is. Quality uPVC pairs start around £1,200 fitted, aluminium from about £2,000.
What sliding patio doors do best
- Zero swing space. The panels stay in their plane, so nothing sweeps across furniture, plant pots or a small patio. In tight rooms and gardens this decides it on its own.
- More glass. Fewer, larger panes with slimmer interruptions. Closed, a slider is a picture window you can walk through, and modern slim-interlock systems push the effect further still.
- Wider spans. French pairs top out around 1.8-2m of leaf, while sliders happily fill openings of 2.4-4m and beyond, the territory covered in our bifold vs slider guide.
- Wind-proof ventilation. A slider cracked open stays exactly where you put it. An open French leaf is a sail looking for a hook.
The comparison table
| Factor | French doors | Sliding patio doors |
|---|---|---|
| Typical fitted cost (uPVC) | £1,200-£2,000 | £1,600-£2,800 |
| Opening clearance | 100% of aperture | 50-66% |
| Space needed to operate | Swing arc | None |
| Closed glass area | Good | Excellent |
| Best opening width | Up to ~2m | 2.4m+ |
| Style register | Traditional/period | Modern |
| Maintenance | Minimal | Track cleaning, roller care |
Security on both, without the folklore
Old reputations linger unfairly here. Yes, a 1980s slider could be lifted off its tracks, and yes, an old French pair could be shouldered at the meeting stile. Modern versions of both carry multi-point locking, anti-lift engineering, shoot bolts and PAS 24 certification, and laminated glass is the upgrade that earns its keep on any rear-of-house glazing, since the back garden is where intruders prefer to work. Specify current systems and neither style is the weak point of your house.
How to choose between them
Opening under two metres, traditional house, tighter budget, a soft spot for the classic look? French doors, and enjoy the full-aperture summers. Larger opening, modern aesthetic, furniture or patio tight against the doors, view-first priorities? Slider. For openings of 2.4m and up where you're tempted by both, read the bifold comparison too, then let the room decide. All three are fabricated to measure in Trafford Park in matching colours across doors and windows, and we'll quote two options side by side without being asked, because the price difference often surprises people into the right answer.
Upgrades worth discussing for either
Whichever geometry wins, the same short upgrade list applies. Low or flush thresholds smooth the step for prams, wheelchairs and stubbed toes, provided the external drainage is done properly. Laminated glass earns its modest premium on any rear elevation. Solar-control glazing matters if the doors face south or west, where an afternoon of sun through big glass genuinely heats the room. Integral blinds sealed between the panes suit both styles and never need dusting. And matching sidelights or a fanlight can turn a modest door set into a glazed elevation for far less than stepping up to bifolds. None of these are upsells to accept blind. They're per-house decisions a good surveyor talks through with the room in front of you, which is precisely how a quote should be built.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, French doors or sliding patio doors?
French doors. Quality uPVC pairs start around £1,200 fitted against £1,600-plus for sliders, largely because sliders are bigger and carry track engineering. Both undercut bifolds comfortably.
Are French doors old fashioned?
Classical rather than dated. They're the right choice on period and cottage elevations, and current design happily uses slim aluminium French pairs on modern homes too. Fashion moved to big glass, but the charm never left.
Do sliding patio doors still lift off their tracks?
Modern systems don't. Anti-lift blocks, hook locks and PAS 24 certification closed that 1980s vulnerability years ago. If your existing slider is old enough to lift, that's an argument for replacing it, not against the style.
Can French doors open inwards?
Yes, though UK practice favours outward opening, which saves interior space and seals better against weather. Inward-opening pairs suit balconies and spots where there's no external room to swing. Specify the direction at order.
What width do I need for French doors?
Pairs suit apertures from about 1.2m to 2m. Beyond that, sidelights, meaning fixed glass flanking the pair, extend the glazed width handsomely while keeping the classic doors. For 2.4-3m openings it's often the prettiest solution going.
Which is more energy efficient?
Specification decides this, not style. Both take A++ double or triple glazing with warm-edge units, and both seal well in quality modern systems. Ask for whole-door U-values on your actual sizes and compare those.
Can I replace an old sliding patio door with French doors?
Usually, yes. The opening rarely cares which way the glass moves, and wider old slider apertures often suit French doors with sidelights beautifully, gaining the classic look without losing glass. A survey confirms lintel and sizes, and the swap itself is a routine day's work.
Two quotes, one visit
Tell us the opening and we'll price French doors and a slider side by side, made to measure in Manchester, matched to your windows, PAS 24 secure and guaranteed for 10 years. Once both numbers are real, the right answer usually announces itself.
Call 07533 830717, WhatsApp us a photo for a fast quote, or request a free quote online.