Among the options available for patio doors, there are essentially two types of doors that can be selected – sliding doors and hinged doors. They both have features that make it sound, as well as aspects that are undesirable or should be considered before use. This article will compare sliding and hinged patio doors along various factors, as this will assist one in determining the ideal choice.

Noise Levels

Perhaps one of the topmost concerns of many homeowners is the amount of noise that a door produces. If the patio doors open to a noisy street or other location with a lot of traffic or activity, you will want doors that do an excellent job of insulating sound.

Hinged doors tend to be better at preventing noise from leaking into a room as they close tightly around a sliding door. In contrast, sliding patio doors usually provide a lot of movement. Plain sliding doors use weatherstrips to reduce noise and air infiltration though there still exist minuscule gaps. This looser seal also implies that any noise from the exterior environment may easily make its way into the indoor environment.

Security

Security is another crucial aspect considered when choosing patio doors. Securing patio's hinged patio doors are more secure than sliding doors.

This is because the hinged door is more airtight and therefore have fewer possible pry points than a sliding door. Another advantage of hinged doors is the possibility of installing high security multi-point locking devices which provide additional safety by securing the door in several points. More secure lock systems are often not possible with sliding doors.

Space Considerations

Sliding patio doors are ideal because they do not intrude into the floor space of the room when being opened, as is the case with hinged doors. The sliding panels do not swing inward or outward; therefore, they can stack horizontally to the side without taking any part of the living space.

Aesthetic Options

Patio doors made of either sliding or hinged models also come in various styles to suit the appearance of your house and property. There are also more differences between hinged doors and simple sliding doors, the latter being more limited in design possibilities.

Popular hinged patio doors include traditional French doors with multiple windows divided by mullions, simple rectangular and rectangular doors with a smooth design, doors with an arched top, and so on. 

Durability

Hinged and sliding patio doors are available in different materials, such as vinyl, aluminum, fiberglass, wood, or composite. Wood doors and fiberglass doors have the highest level of durability, weatherability, and overall life.

When well maintained, the quality patio doors of both types may serve for 20-30 years and even longer. But there is one that gives it a cut above the rest- hinged patio doors. They tend to be more durable than sliding doors whose less tight frames and sliding mechanisms and tracks.

Ease of Operation

One will also quickly note that sliding patio doors are usually relatively easy to open and close. They move in a horizontal track with little or no physical effort. This makes them suitable if there are people who are either immobile or elderly for whom the doors will be operated regularly.

Wooden models of hinged patio doors are usually significantly heavier. Some people may find them challenging to open or close due to their sizes or materials used. Out-swing doors can also be problematic due to space constriction on a patio or deck. 

Energy Efficiency

Any type of modern patio doors will be double glazed and thermally efficient. However, there exist some types that are more thermally efficient than the others are.

Patio doors that swing open with hinges tend to be the most energy efficient. Multi-point locks engage as many as four locations on the door, providing a secure seal against the weather stripping for few air leaks. 

Price Considerations

A hinged patio door will also be more expensive than a basic slide patio door. The price gap has decreased with innovations in the sliding door industry and more luxurious models available.  Even so the typical hinged patio doors will be found to possess a more significant cost.

Vinyl or fiberglass sliding doors offer a practical value proposition for cash-strapped homeowners. They are reasonably priced and provide acceptable performance. 

Conclusion

Some of the factors to take into consideration include the level of noise that each door can produce, the overall security, interior spaces that are available, the design style, the durability and performance of each door, the ease of using the door, the level of energy saving, and the overall cost of the door. Hinged patio doors are effective in the reduction of sound transmission and security and are attractive in terms of design and durability. An advantage of sliding patio doors includes space efficiency, operation, and cost.

Individuals with these conflicting interests when choosing between the two types of patio doors need to consider their priorities for each of these factors. This will define whether sliding, hinged or even potentially stacking patio doors are the right option for their houses. It is also recommended to pay more attention to installation quotes instead of assuming that a particular style will be less expensive. When purchasing sliding or hinged patio doors, it is advisable to consider quality materials and workmanship to achieve a high level of comfort and aesthetic value for viewing the outdoors for many years.