French doors vs sliding patio doors for smaller gardens

French doors and sliding doors are both great ways of getting from your home into your garden. They expand the view, increase daylight and improve ventilation.

If your garden is on the smaller side, however, a problem can present itself. French doors often don't fit because they lack one crucial thing: swing space.

Swing space is the space the doors need to open outwards. On a poky patio or small garden area, this can be hard to create without moving furniture or plants.

For this reason, many homeowners go for sliding doors over French doors. But there is a third way: French doors with fixed side panels.

So, which is right for you? In this article, we help you explore your options. And if at the end of it you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the Calder Windows team.

The small garden problem

French doors need space to open outwards (and inwards). Smaller gardens often don't have the room required for the door to swing open.

Tables, chairs and plant pots can all get in the way. To make room, you'll either need to remove them, scale them back or push them together. They can also get in your way as you step from the house into the garden.

In some situations, this doesn't have to be a problem. If you want a minimalist aesthetic, French doors can work just fine.

However, if you want to optimise your use of space, sliding doors are often a better option.

Are sliding doors always the answer? And where do bifold doors come in?

Both sliding doors and bifold doors can work for small gardens. They're usually (but not always) better than French doors when space is tight.

Sliding doors glide on tracks, while bifold doors fold together like a concertina, stacking neatly to one side.

Sliding doors don't need any swing space, making them a better choice for many small gardens than outward-swinging French doors.

Bifold doors need space to stack at the side. However. they fold up tightly rather than swinging outwards.

It all depends on your priorities. What's more important: making the most of your garden space or the look and feel of French doors? This question, above all else, will determine your choice.

There is, however, a third option. Some homeowners with small gardens eschew classic French doors and sliding doors and instead choose French doors with fixed side panels.

The hybrid option: French doors with fixed side panels

French doors with fixed side panels consist of double doors flanked by fixed vertical windows known as "sidelights". The whole unit is held in a single frame. The fixed vertical windows don't open.

These sidelights maximise the amount of daylight coming into the home, letting more in than a standard set of French doors.

They also give you scenic views without a heavy, cumbersome door mechanism. You still need some swing space. However, the doors are narrow compared to classic French doors and require less wiggle room.

It's this balance of size and easy clearance that makes French doors with fixed side panels a popular choice among homeowners with small gardens.

Which is right for me?

Your main concern is how much usable garden space you have immediately in front of where the doors will be.

French doors are great for a traditional appearance and work well if you have swing space. However, if you want to make the most of your patio, this need for swing space can cramp your style as well as your garden.

If space efficiency is your top priority, sliding doors are often the best choice. The panels slide sideways, meaning you don't need outdoor swing space. And while they don't have the specific aesthetic of French doors, they still pack a visual punch.

Bifold doors and French doors with side panels both represent a middle ground. Bifold doors need a little space for the panels to stack, but less than classic French doors. Meanwhile, French doors with fixed side panels suit those without much swing space, but with plenty of wall space for a feature doorset.

What works on a typical Yorkshire terrace

If you have space, French doors work well with a typical Yorkshire terrace. It all depends, however, on what you want to communicate.

If you want to preserve your terrace's period character, French doors are a wise idea. But if you don't mind a more modern look, sliding doors work just as well.

In terms of access, French doors give you a wide opening without the need for large expanses of glazing.

And if your terrace is small but big enough for French doors, they're also great for ventilation. You can open a door at a time partially or fully.

If, however, you lack the swing space for French doors, sliding doors can be just as good.

Sliding doors aren't just a fallback when you don't have space for French doors, though. They have benefits in their own right – in particular, their contemporary look and the uninterrupted views they offer.

If your Yorkshire terrace is Victorian or Edwardian and has a small back room or garden, French doors will suit the look. If it has a modern rear extension, sliding doors will blend well with the contemporary vibe.

If neither is quite right for you, you could investigate slim-profile French doors with fixed sidelights. This balances a traditional look with plenty of glass, light and ventilation.

Patio doors from Calder Windows

At Calder Windows, we help homeowners in West Yorkshire with the home improvements they've always wanted.

We supply a wide range of classic and contemporary patio doors, such as French doors, sliding doors and bifold doors. That includes options for smaller gardens and properties.

Most products come with generous warranties. And because we're FENSA registered, you can rest assured that our installation work is top-notch.

Ready to upgrade your home (and garden)? Contact our team today to discuss your project and get a free quote.

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