Today’s market is flooded with offers for doors and windows sales, with companies fighting ferociously for their customers, offering a wide variety of designs. Among the most popular are the Patio and Garden systems. While the first refers to folding doors, the latter are usually single swing ones (the latest models can have folding leaves). In this article, we will review each system and analyze its differences.
Patio doors features
Patio doors are usually installed in living rooms and terraces and are of the folding type. They weren’t so popular before because of their low reliability (the opening mechanisms break down too quickly). But with technological advances, we have managed to overcome these issues, so now Patio systems feature big folding doors, lots of natural light, and a long lifespan.
You would not see much difference between Patio doors and windows: the first differ only in the possibility of entering and exiting and in some features of the fittings. In other respects, there is little difference in the appearance of windows and doors. They each feature a glass panel surface from ceiling to floor.
Depending on the type of mechanism used, they get parallel-sliding and tilt-sliding systems. Companies offer several sliding door options: with slots, folding or combined ventilation, different profile weights, etc.
Features of Patio leaves:
- They save space. When opening leaves, you do not need to think of the free space, as it happens with swing constructions: doors open sideways, moving on hidden rails, and allowing you to use the space more efficiently.
- They provide insulation against external influences (but there might be some issues with operation in harsh weather conditions). In the manufacture, they use high-quality double-glazed units, polyvinylchloride profiles, and airtight seals that keep out cold air, precipitation, and dust. However, under extreme weather conditions, they do not function as well as they should.
- They provide high security, but only if additional elements are installed. One can be limited to basic fittings, which are quite reliable and have locking mechanisms around the entire perimeter. Besides, the construction of leaves allows for the installation of additional anti-burglary systems, alarms, vandal-proof film, sensors, cameras, etc.
- They have an aesthetic appearance. The primary purpose of these doors is to create limitless space, removing space constraints like conventional walls, and maximize the penetration of natural light into the room.
Garden doors features
Garden doors are designed in a traditional French style with swing panels and sliding leaves (in more contemporary versions). As seen from the name, their purpose is to provide access from the main room to the backyard or garden. Garden doors usually consist of two leaves; the glass coverage in them reaches 80%, which is less than in the Patio folding doors.
Garden doors provide easy access to the terrace, so you can walk through them to a beautiful river or yard, for example. They can also be used as connecting structures. Through such doors, you can easily carry furniture and other large items.
To date, manufacturers offer folding models that are less traditional for this type of door. In contrast to Patio, Garden doors are originally equipped with secure locks so that you do not have to re-equip the structure with additional anti-burglary elements.
In this type of folding door, one leaf is usually fixed and remains stationary, while the other opens to the side.
Comparing Patio and Garden doors
Let’s now review the above features and compare the two-door types. The differences are as follows:
– Installation area. Both types of doors are quite versatile, however, Patio doors, due to their design, are used more often for entrances to living rooms, verandas, while Garden systems are more suited for exits to the backyard or garden.
– Safety. Garden doors are originally equipped with a reliable security system and a reinforced frame, while Patio doors do not have secure locks, but can be equipped with additional strips and bolts to increase security.
– Glazing. In Patio doors, the glass surface covers almost the entire space, whereas in Garden systems, in its traditional French version at least, glass covers no more than 80%, although modern folding constructions are more similar to Patio systems in this respect.
– Versatility. Patio doors only come in folding versions, while Garden systems are available in both swinging and folding versions.
– View. Garden doors come in standard door sizes, while Patio leaves can take up the entire wall, which maximizes the penetration of natural light into the room.
– Insulation. Garden have better sound and heat insulation elements, whereas Patio systems should not be used as entrance structures under extreme weather conditions.
As you can see, they have some differences, but also a lot in common. We recommend outlining your ultimate goal and thinking of the results you want to achieve, before ordering.
