Add a European Touch to Your Home with French Slider Doors

Combining a style that is rooted in history but exhibits a modern flair, French sliding doors are an exciting option for homeowners looking to add a new twist to their home remodeling plans.

A French sliding door is actually a combination of two types of doors: a French door and a sliding door. A French door is a door that is comprised primarily of several panes of glass. The glass that makes up the door is usually divided into several sections by thin pieces of wood to create the panes.

The advantages of a style such as the French door is that, unlike a traditional door, it lets in as much light as possible and, when used throughout a home, it allows rooms to be set apart from each other but still have an open and airy feel.

The sliding aspect of a French sliding door has been used in homes for centuries, including homes in ancient Japan. A sliding door consists of two panels that are inserted into grooved tracks at the top and bottom of the door allowing them to either slide past each other or one slides behind or in front of the other. These doors can be useful for tight spaces where getting a door to open outward or inward can be difficult.

While French sliding doors are almost never used as a main point of entry, they can be useful in many other parts of a home: separating a kitchen from a dining room, a den from a patio, a living room from a balcony or a bedroom from a patio. The French sliding door has the ability to link two areas together esthetically while physically keeping them apart.

A French sliding door can be equipped with a handle or notch for opening. The doors can also come with several types of locks, including a latch that can be flipped or a bolt at the bottom of the door that can be an effective security measure. Because the door is comprised primarily of glass, this type of bolt lock, which slides into a base in the floor, is an effective locking system.

Because it is generally made of wood, a French sliding door can be made to blend with your existing décor. The wood can be stained in one of several shades or perhaps even painted to match the existing color of your home. In addition, French sliding doors can be made of other materials – vinyl, aluminum, and composite material – which extend the versatility of the doors.

If French sliding doors are going to be used in an area that has access to the outside, certain factors should be taken into consideration. One, the door should be made of a material that can withstand being exposed to the elements. Treated wood, vinyl or aluminum can all be used to make a durable French sliding door that is in close proximity to the outdoors. Two, the door should have a reliable and secure locking system that can offer several locking options. Since a French sliding door is comprised primarily of glass, it can be seen as a weak point of entry for potential burglars, so reliable security is a must.