When it comes to doors, a lot of homeowners barely know the different types available and that is totally okay. However, if you are thinking of replacing your old doors, it is necessary to make the right decision to avoid common issues in future.
That is why we have contacted Ecoline, window and door installation experts, so they elaborate on the most popular door types – sliding and hinged doors. Want to know more? Keep reading.
What is a Sliding Door?
A sliding door is a type of door that opens and closes by sliding it sideways. Sliding doors don’t swing on hinges but are usually suspended from a track above, mounted on a track below, or drawn across an opening on a groove. These doors lie parallel to walls.
Sliding doors are majorly used indoors for hallways, showers, closet doors, and room dividers because of their large openings and the very little space they require. They are also used in hotels, elevators, office entrances, stores, and terraces or verandas. In most cases Canadian homeowners order the ones that are made from vinyl since it is cost-effective and durable material for the doors.
Pros of Sliding Doors
- It is effortless to order sliding doors no matter the size because they are widespread.
- Sliding doors are energy-efficient, so they serve as potent insulators, thereby keeping your home warm even in cold weather.
- Those with composite gaskets also act as sound barriers and waterproofs, and they also keep dust out of your home.
- Sliding doors made with aluminum seals, fixed leaves, and incorporated gaskets provide security. They also offer engineered stiles for vitality, thereby creating a bridge between your interior and outside of your home.
- They save space because they skid along their track and open by one door sliding over a panel instead of swinging on hinges. Also, sliding doors do not need extra space for a door arc.
- Those made of glass panels allow natural light into your home.
- Sliding doors do not require much effort to move, as you only have to push them aside gently. This makes going out and coming in much more accessible.
- They are environmentally friendly, especially those made from wood because they are renewable. They are also durable and sound insulators.
- They add beauty and elegance to your home because of their simple design that matches most interior decors.
- They are pretty stable because they do not rest on hinges.
Cons of Sliding Doors
- Dust in the tracks and rusting of the metal parts of sliding doors can cause it to get stuck and be quite challenging to open.
- Installation of a sliding door is so much work. You would need to put in tracks at the top and bottom of the door frame, positioning them in a way that is not crooked and easy to slide away. That is why, do not go DIY.
- They can be rather expensive to get and install.
- The track of sliding doors attracts dirt, and it can be challenging to clean.
- One side is fixed, so you cannot open it completely.
- If the doors are placed on the wall, you will be unable to place furniture in that area.
What is a Hinged Door?
A hinged door generally has a hollow core or wooden panel fastened by hinges to a door jamb. It is a door connected to the wall by hinges on a side allowing it to open and close and is usually poised in a passageway. To open and close it, all you have to do is push or pull it. You can also open and close it inwards or outwards.
They are available in different sizes with or without a frame based on the manufacturers and where you want to use them. They are not confined to the inside of your home, so they can also be used outside. You can use a hinged door for your closet, bathrooms, and entrance, as well as your kitchen cabinets.
Pros of Hinged Doors
- They are very common and much more available, so they are not so expensive.
- Hinged doors are easier to install.
- Hinged doors are easy to maintain; you only need to grease them regularly and use spray paint to keep them looking new.
- They come in different designs, so you have numerous options to pick from.
- It is multifunctional, so when a hook or rack is attached to a side, you can hang your robes, ties, and towels.
- It is possible to use different locks and security systems with this door.
- Doors made with hinges open entirely, giving you a complete view of your space.
Cons of Hinged Doors
- If what you need is something classy, then this is not for you.
- When not properly installed, you are at risk because it can be easily removed by wind.
- Because of its design and installation process, it takes too much space.
- Over time, the top hinge loosens due to gravitational pull. This can cause the door to slump to one side and eventually crash.
What To Choose: Sliding or Hinged Doors?
Both the sliding doors and hinged doors have areas where they shine. Your choice on which to get eventually depends on what you want; the style, price, maintenance, installation, and position. If you want something sleek and classy, you might have to opt for a sliding door, but you might have to go for a hinged door if you are cost-conscious.
You have read through the details on both doors; their pros and cons. It is now left for you to budget for the one you prefer the most, the one that is better for you.
