What's the difference between a sliding patio door and a sliding French door?

A sliding patio door opens in one direction while a sliding French door parts in the middle. A sliding French door can have a wider frame and curved door handles for a more traditional look.

How do you clean sliding French doors?

Our sliding French doors don’t require much maintenance, but it’s important to keep the sill clean so the panels can move smoothly. Use a damp cloth to wipe down handles to remove fingerprints and smudges. Door rollers seldom need lubrication, but should the need arise, use spray lubricant. To clean the glass, view our glass cleaning tips.

Can I replace my sliding door with a sliding French door?

Many people like to swap a sliding glass door for a French door but replacing a sliding glass patio door with one of our sliding French door offers an opportunity to keep the function of a sliding door with the elegance of a French door.

Are sliding French doors more secure than sliding glass doors?

Both types of patio doors are secure. Each can lock in multiple places. Marvin Replacement’s sliding patio doors have an optional footbolt available for an additional securing spot. The footbolt also allows you to lock a sliding patio door in place for ventilation. Our French doors come with a multi-point locking system where the door is secured in four spots.

How much to replace sliding doors with French doors?

The cost to replace sliding doors with French doors depends on your home and project. The size of the patio door and the patio door material you choose will impact cost. A Marvin Replacement design consultant can explore design options with you to build a price estimate.

What is a sliding French door?

A sliding French door is a patio door that has the characteristics of a French door with the function of a sliding patio door. Sliding French doors have a bolder profile with a taller bottom rail. Dark colored French doors can create dynamic contrast for additional appeal.

How much do sliding French doors cost?

Sliding French door costs vary based on the options you select. The number of panels you choose, the type of material, and design options will all impact the price of a sliding French door. One of our design consultants can discuss sliding French door designs with you and put together a price quote.

REPLACEMENT SLIDING FRENCH DOORS

Interior view of a two-panel black sliding French door.

Exterior view of a white two-panel Marvin Replacement sliding French door with prairie grilles.

Marvin Replacement Ultrex ^® fiberglass Sliding French Doors combine the look of a classic French door's wider profile with space-saving sliding operation.

MARVIN REPLACEMENT SLIDING FRENCH DOOR FEATURES

Traditional wider French door profile
Multi-point locking system
Built with Ultrex fiberglass to provide durability
Heavy duty roller system minimizes bumps while opening and closing

Line Break

Get your project started by booking a free appointment with one of our design consultants.

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WHY CHOOSE A MARVIN REPLACEMENT SLIDING FRENCH DOOR?

Strong Frame Material

Ultrex fiberglass is 8x stronger than vinyl doors to resist warping and shifting to protect your home.

Exceptional Stability

Ultrex expands 87% less than vinyl to resist leaks + seal failures for patio doors that open and close easily.

Phenomenal Finish

Smooth acrylic finish resists blemishes.

Detailed Design

Top-hung screen design avoids jams.

Expertly Engineered

Strong rollers ensure doors roll smoothly.

Interior view of a two-panel black Marvin Replacement sliding French door.

Replacement Sliding French Door Design Options

Replacement Sliding French Door Styles

Custom-built Marvin Replacement Sliding French doors combine sliding glass patio door functionality and classic French door style—highlighting a wider profile along with the durability of Ultrex fiberglass. The wider profile exudes a bolder look.

Marvin Replacement Sliding French doors add a touch of sophistication to living rooms and dining rooms where conventional sliding doors often appear. Our sliding French doors enhance indoor-outdoor living when they span as wide as four panels with bi-parting doors in the middle for a wider opening.

Configurations

Our sliding French doors come in two, three or four-panel configurations up to 16-feet wide. We designed our sliding French doors with top-hung screens to provide easy movement and avoid clogged sill track issues that plague the movement of other screens.

Selected: Two-Panel Configuration

Sliding French Door Center Operating Unit

Exterior Colors

Our finish stands up to the elements, so much so that 48,000 hours of sun can't fade our finish* and our fade-resistant acrylic finish resists scratches, chalking, chipping, denting, and peeling. Choose from seven stunning sliding French door exterior colors to boost your curb appeal.

Selected: Stone White

An example of a Sierra finish option for Marvin Replacement windows and patio doors.

An example of a Cashmere finish option for Marvin Replacement windows and patio doors.

Example of a Pebble Gray finish color for Marvin Replacement windows and patio doors.

An example of a Bronze finish for Marvin Replacement windows and patio doors.

An example of a Bahama color finish for Marvin Replacement windows and patio doors.

An example of an Ebony finish color with Marvin Replacement windows and patio doors.

Exterior side of a Marvin Replacement Sliding French door in a Stone White color finish.

Marvin's Ultrex® fiberglass finish is verified to the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) 624 specification. Achieving AAMA 624 verification means that our Ultrex finish has passed rigorous tests that simulate the harsh conditions a finish can encounter throughout the life of a window or door.

*Average sunlight exposure per 10 years

Interior Colors

We use the same tough acrylic finish on our four interior color options that we use on our exterior colors. You can also choose our stainable EverWood® interior finish for the look of wood without the maintenance.

Selected: Stone White

Interior side of a Marvin Replacement Sliding French door with a Stone White color finish.

1. Sierra interior is not available with Ebony exterior

2. Bronze interior is only available with Bronze exterior

3. Ebony interior is only available with Ebony exterior

Glass Coatings

Our experts will walk you through energy efficient glass options to find the right selection for your home and the best patio door for your space. Our insulating glass has an argon gas fill between the panes for energy efficiency. Choose from four glass coatings, plus decorative glass options, and specialty glass choices.

Low E-1

Primarily used in colder climates, Low E1 allows more heat in to warm a room while blocking heat loss.

Low E-2

Low E2 offers year-round performance in moderate climates. It will help retain heat in your home during the winter and keep heat out during the summer.

Low E-3

Low E3 rejects solar heat while letting light in, resulting in increased performance in climates with intense sun exposure.

Low E-3/ERS

Low E3/ERS provides maximum efficiency year-round in all conditions.

Selected: Low E1

Decorative Glass

Decorative glass options are ideal for spaces like bathrooms to balance natural light and privacy.

Selected: Rain

Marvin Replacement Reeded Decorative glass

Example of Marvin Replacement Gray Tint Decorative Glass

Sample of Marvin Replacement Green Tint Decorative Glass option.

Example of Marvin Replacement Bronze Tint Decorative Glass.

Specialty Glass

We offer specialty glass to best suit the needs of your home. You can choose tempered glass, laminated glass, and STC/OITC glass for specific windows and rooms.

Tempered Glass

Tempered glass increases glass strength to help prevent breakage. Tempered glass is ideal for windows close to the floor or located in high-traffic areas.

Laminated Glass

Even more durable than tempered glass, laminated glass is often referred to as impact resistant or safety glass due to its vinyl inter layer that tends to remain in place when shattered.

STC/OITC Glass

Sound Transmission Class and Outdoor-Indoor Transmission Class glass has increased pane thickness on the room side and works in areas where exterior noise is a concern.

Divided Lites

We offer various divided lite patterns so you can replicate the look of your original doors—or add new architectural interest to your home with a new divided lite pattern. Choose from Simulated Divided Lites for classic appeal or Grilles-Between-the-Glass for easy cleaning. .

Selected: Grilles-Between-the-Glass

Cutaway of Marvin Replacement Grilles Between the Glass

Cutaway of a Marvin Replacement window with Simulated Divided Lites.

A white Marvin Replacement Sliding French door with Prairie style divided lites.

A white Marvin Replacement two-panel Sliding French door with Standard divided lite pattern.

Hardware

Choose door handles from our Northfield or Cambridge collection to match your home's style. Our Northfield collection fits contemporary styled homes while the curved design of our Cambridge collection can suit traditional homes.

Our sliding doors open and close smoothly with a heavy duty roller system. The doors lock securely with a multi-point locking system and we have foot bolts available for additional security.

Selected: Satin White Northfield Collection

Marvin Replacement Stone White Door Handle

Locks

Marvin Replacement Sliding French doors can come with an optional footbolt for additional security when the door is locked or vented.

Selected: Footbolt

Marvin Replacement footbolt lock on a sliding glass door with Everwood finish and beige sill.

Sill and Weatherstrip

Marvin Replacement door sills can come as Bronze or Beige while weatherstrip can come as White, Beige or Black.

Selected: Bronze Sill

Marvin Replacement Sliding Glass Patio Door with Bronze sill.

Screen Options

Sliding glass patio screen doors have an extruded aluminum frame and can have a Marvin Bright View™ charcoal fiberglass mesh screen or a Hi-Transparency mesh screen. Our patio doors use a top-hung screen design for a smoother operation.

Selected: Bright View Screen

Sample of a Marvin Replacement Bright View screen

Sample of a Marvin Replacement Hi Transparency window screen

White Marvin Replacement Top-Hung Patio Door Screen Door.

Sliding French Door Maintenance

Sliding French doors require minimal maintenance but the sill should remain clean, so the doors open and close smoothly. The door roller, lock, and hinges, rarely require lubrication but should the need arise, use spray lubrication.

A screwdriver tightens a screw on a Marvin Replacement patio door screen.

SLIDING FRENCH DOOR DESIGN

Our sliding French door elegantly slides open and can complement your window style. Sliding French doors have the profile of a French door while operating like a sliding patio door. Sliding French doors feature a multi-point locking system for additional peace of mind.

Marvin Replacement Sliding French doors are available with 2, 3 or 4 panels to pair traditional style with space-saving sliding operation.
Our multi-point locking system gives you a sense of safety and security.
Easily glide our top-hung screen without getting caught on dirt or debris in the sill.
Marvin Replacement Sliding French doors are built with Ultrex^® fiberglass to pair lasting performance with timeless design.

Frequently Asked Questions

A sliding French door can have a wider frame and curved door handles for a more traditional look than a sliding patio door, which has a more contemporary appeal.
Our sliding French doors don’t require much maintenance, but it’s important to keep the sill clean so the panels can move smoothly. Use a damp cloth to wipe down handles to remove fingerprints and smudges. Door rollers seldom need lubrication, but should the need arise, use spray lubricant. To clean the glass, view our glass cleaning tips.
Many people like to swap a sliding glass door for a French door. Replacing a sliding glass patio door with one of our sliding French door offers an opportunity to keep the function of a sliding door with the elegance of a French door.
Both types of patio doors are secure. Each can lock in multiple places. Marvin Replacement’s sliding patio doors have an optional footbolt available for an additional securing spot. The footbolt also allows you to lock a sliding patio door in place for ventilation. Our French doors come with a multi-point locking system where the door is secured in four spots.
The cost to replace sliding doors with French doors depends on your home and project. The size of the patio door and the patio door material you choose will impact cost. A Marvin Replacement design consultant can explore design options with you to build a price estimate.
A sliding French door is a patio door that has the characteristics of a French door with the function of a sliding patio door. Sliding French doors have a bolder profile with a taller bottom rail. Dark colored French doors can create dynamic contrast for additional appeal.
Sliding French door costs vary based on the options you select. The number of panels you choose, the type of material, and design options will all impact the price of a sliding French door. One of our design consultants can discuss sliding French door designs with you and put together a price quote.

Sliding French Door Project Transformations

Exterior view of a patio with a storm door and screened three-season porch.

Patio Door Before

Exterior view of a black Marvin Replacement four-panel sliding French patio door installed.

Marvin Replacement Sliding French Door After

Added Assurance

Marvin Replacement windows and patio doors come with a limited lifetime warranty as well as a 5-year installation warranty to provide additional peace of mind.

Marvin Replacement Warranty

Looking for More Patio Door Information?

Discover additional benefits of Marvin Replacement patio doors and more for your home.

Exterior view of a Marvin Replacement Sliding French door.

Patio Door Buying Guide

Find out things to consider when you're searching for the right patio door for your home.

Patio Door Buying Guide

Exterior view of a white Marvin Replacement two-panel Sliding Glass Patio door

Indoor-Outdoor Living Ideas

Want to expand or transform your indoor-outdoor living? See what you should consider including.

Indoor-Outdoor Living Ideas

Schedule Your Free Consultation

Interior view of an opened Marvin Replacement bi-fold patio door.

If you’re ready to get started, discuss your replacement window and door options with a Marvin Replacement design consultant. We’re here to answer any questions you may have, and help make your project easy.

Schedule your consultation