I always think French doors look so much better on an older house and have more character. But thats just my opinion. Screens for them are a little trickier but they have retractable ones which are pretty slick if you need a screen.

I agree. And love the brick!

French doors open inward, so it comes down to practical use of space.

Get Sliders with mullions so they look like French. Much more practical. Open doors hog valuable entertainment and egress space. You can move furniture closer to a slider also.

Also consider the R-factor of a french door vs a sliding patio door. I too like the look of the french door, but wonder if the sliding door is more energy efficient.

I love the look of French doors as well, but efficiency and safety won out when we replaced our sliding door. And the floor space comment is something to think about...most of us would rather have more floor space! Love the brick as well!!

Unless it's a very good sliding door, I would recommend French. You can get them to open in or out. Sliding doors are not made well for wear and tear, and French looks better. If you go with French, consider the screen. Retractable is the cleanest option.

We have a retractable screen on our front double door entryway. Love it!! One thing to consider though is if you have pets. Since mine hooks with magnets, my dog can open the screen door with not much more than a little nudge. I have to block the area so she can't get near the screen, otherwise they are great. I like it since the weather here is not conducive to having a screen door all year round, or even 6 months of the year, we can hide it away when not in use.

Considering the size of the room it doesn't look like there is enough room for French door. Even if they open outward they take precious space on the deck. Plus new sliders are very much in tune with classic french swing door look. New sliders have very easy to hide and self closing screens and you don't have to worry about draft slumming them shut,etc. If you have company and folks keep coming and going french door can be a nuisance.

French...hands down! Pella!

I recently replaced a standard 6' slider with French Doors that open out - and we love the look as it makes the room very elegant. However, I see the pictures that were posted of Pella doors - and the bottom one that looks like a French door is very nice. Like how it has 2 panels that open. In this application, I think that would be a beautiful choice.

my last house had the double 'open away from each other' sliders that were wonderful, and the piano movers thought they were great, too.

French Doors would be beautiful but if it takes all the Weather make them Out Swing....They seal better. We have difficulty with some leakage on our In Swing when there is a Driving Rain

We have french doors instead of sliders like we've had in past homes. Same quality (Anderson) so no difference in R value that I know of. I love them! Plus, I can open both on a warm day!

I agree with outswing French doors if you have the room to open them out to the deck. Otherwise, sliding doors have come a long way if you go with a quality manufacturer. Marvin Windows and Doors can do either for you with some of the best efficiency and design pressure ratings on the market so you know they'll perform well in bad weather.

You didn't mention budget, so what abt folding patio door wall. Loved my French patio doors (be sure to get the kind with locking vertical bar for safety). If you live in a warmer climate that uses the outdoors more than being indoors, inward doors are a moot point. Love the exposed brick - it makes me chuckle when some ppl post in horror abt "that (awful) red brick." Also, if possible, will the threshold be the same indoor to outdoor? My house is one step down to patio; our beloved cottage was level in/out door - yea.

Glass garage door