When it comes to patio and porch doors, there are a few basic options that you’ll be able to choose from. These include folding doors, multi-slide doors, and traditional swinging doors. If you’re planning on replacing your existing patio door with a new and improved entrance, then these are the options you’ll be able to choose from.

In today’s post, we’re going to discuss the difference between porch folding doors and installing swinging doors as your main porch entrance. So, if you’re still in the decision-making process and you’re not sure which is the best choice for your home improvement project, then this should help you make up your mind. Let’s jump in, shall we?

How Do Porch Folding Doors Operate?

First, let’s start with the basics; how the doors operate. If you’ve never had a chance to use folding doors in person, then you’re probably wondering what’s so special about them and why they’re one of the hottest home design trends on the market.

Multi-fold doors are one of the most high-tech advancements in door technology and involve multiple door panels. Smaller folding door systems typically use 3 to 5 door panels, while larger folding door systems may include up to 10 or more folding door panels aligned side-by-side and connected with hinges and pins.

The whole idea behind swinging doors is to create a panoramic doorway that effectively replaces your boring old-fashioned porch door with a large, movable “wall of glass.” Pretty cool, right?

Each folding door system typically features one standard swinging door that acts as an everyday entrance/exit. However, whenever you want, you can open up the entire room to the great outdoors by sliding all of the panels to the side and stacking them perpendicularly out of the way.

How Do Swing Doors Operate?

You probably already have a few swinging doors in your home (as they’re the most common type of door for both interior and exterior use), so we won’t go into too much detail here.

All swinging doors typically feature a few main hinges, which attach the door to the frame. Unlike folding doors which slide open along a stationary track, though, swinging doors pivot from the same point and latch closed with a locking mechanism.

In the case of French doors (which feature two doors that open outwards), the two door panels latch into each other.

Bi-Fold Doors vs. Swing Doors: Reliability

When it comes to performing any home improvement project, one of the most important things to consider is the overall reliability of the system. You want something that’s going to be able to stand up to everyday use without any major problems that debilitate the door or require expensive repairs.

For the most part, folding door systems are quite reliable (especially if you purchase them from a high-quality manufacturer). However, in terms of absolute reliability, we have to say that swing doors are a bit more reliable. There are no tracks to become jammed, and there aren’t anywhere near as many door panels connected to each other.

What About Maintenance?

Maintenance-wise, it’s a tie. While folding doors require constant cleaning of door tracks, and require you to lubricate more hinges, swinging doors typically feature less glass and have more surface area that will need to be re-painted or re-stained more often.

Bi-Fold Doors vs. Swing Doors: Cost

Cost-wise, folding door systems are going to be a bit more expensive. This is because most door systems are price by the number of door panels Most swinging door systems will only feature one or two door panels at most while folding door systems have a minimum of three door panels.

You also have to consider the cost of installation. Most traditional swinging doors can be installed in your existing doorway, meaning that you won’t have to knock down any walls or expand doorways.

While some smaller folding door systems can be installed into existing doorways, most folding doors will require you to expand your home’s natural porch entrance in order to accommodate the greater number of door panels.

Which Door Type Increases Home Value The Most?

Folding doors will increase the value of your home far more than a standard swinging door. This is because swinging doors are a bit outdated. Even if you purchase a fresh, modern-looking swinging door, the door technology itself isn’t very impressive.

When a potential homebuyer sees that you’ve installed a folding door system in your house, though, it automatically draws extra attention. Generally speaking, every dollar that you spend on your folding doors will increase the value of your home by the same amount (if not more).

Bi-Fold Doors vs. Swing Doors: Natural Lighting

One of the biggest reasons to upgrade your home’s patio doorway is to allow more natural sunlight to enter your home. The more lighting you have in your home, the larger it feels, and the happier your plants, animals, and guests will be sitting inside.
As far as lighting goes, porch folding doors will provide far more than traditional swinging doors. This is simply because folding doors create a larger doorway opening, have more glass surface, and therefore allow light to enter from more angles.

Bi-Fold Doors vs. Swing Doors: Energy-Efficiency

One of the factors that shoppers don’t think about quite as often is the energy efficiency of a door system. Traditionally, solid swinging doors have always been thought of as better insulated than glass doorways. However, thanks to high-tech low-E (low-emissivity) glass and thermal breaking technology, today’s all-glass folding doors are just as energy-efficient as traditional swinging doors.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this post has given you some good food for thought and helped you narrow down your decision. Folding doors are more expensive, but they will add far more to the market value of your home than traditional swinging patio doors. Perhaps more importantly, folding doors open up your house more, allowing greater amounts of natural air and sunlight into your home, without compromising energy efficiency.