What’s the difference between folding vs sliding glass doors? Folding and sliding glass doors are two of the most commonly used opening glass wall systems in residential and commercial design. Each excels in different scenarios, which is why the decision often comes down to how you plan to use the space, the size of the opening, and your performance or design priorities.
While there are options like center pivots, lift-and-slide doors, or upward-folding garage doors, by far the two most popular are folding glass walls and sliding glass walls. Naturally, this leads to debates around folding vs sliding glass doors.
Below, we break down the key differences between folding and sliding glass doors to help you determine the best solution for your project and how these opening glass doors can elevate any residential or commercial environment.
Folding vs Sliding Glass Doors: A Side-By-Side Comparison
| Folding Glass Doors | Sliding Glass Doors | |
|---|---|---|
How They Open | Panels fold and stack to the side along a single track | Panels slide smoothly on a multitrack |
Best For | Residential and Commercial Applications | Residential and Commercial Applications |
| Maximum Height | Depending on the model, up to 12 feet tall | cero: 15′ (4550 mm) NW MultiSlide 630): 11′ (3350 mm) |
| Maximum Width | Depending on model, up to 40 feet wide *Unlimited widths with FourFold and SixFold panel sets unique to Generation 4 Folding Glass Walls | cero: Up to five tracks or more possible NW MultiSlide 630: Up to three tracks possible |
| Maximum Panel Width | Panel widths as wide as 4′ (1200mm) | cero: 9′10″ (3000 mm) NW MultiSlide 630: 6′6″ (1980 mm) |
| Configuration Options | Various configuration options, including open corners, window door combinations, convenient swing doors, and inswing or outswing panels | Can accommodate pocketing for panel storage and greater use of the opening. In addition, cero can accommodate open corner designs |
| Screens Available | Yes (by others) | Yes (by others) |
| Energy Efficiency | Double and Triple Glazing Available | Double and Triple Glazing Available |
| Security | Designed with multipoint locking systems as well as extra-long, tamper-resistant, two-point locking rods between panels | Multipoint locking mechanism for added security. *NW MultiSlide 630 is designed with an anti-lift panel feature |
Things to Consider: Residential and Commercial Projects
NanaWall SL70 in a commercial application.
Residential and commercial environments can demand different design solutions from opening glass walls as they cater to very different needs and requirements. As a solution provided, NanaWall offers folding and sliding glass doors custom made to the needs and parameters of each project. For commercial environments, depending on the model, systems can be customized with panic hardware, higher kickplates, ADA-compliant sills, and commercial-rated swing doors tested to 500,000 cycles.
NanaWall NW Aluminum 640 in a residential application.
What is a Folding Glass Wall?
Folding glass walls are made from a series of large glass panels connected in a chain with specialty hinges. These panels are folded to open by gliding on a single floor track. In addition to aluminum, aluminum clad, and wood framed folding glass doors, NanaWall also offers frameless systems, primarily used for interiors, for optimal transparency and minimal aesthetics. Opening glass patio doors outperform conventional sliders by eliminating fixed panels and offering up to 90% usable opening.
What are the Benefits of Folding Glass Walls and Doors?
Quickly Open/Close Large Openings
If you’re searching for a system that can create a large opening with little operational effort, the folding glass wall is for you. A full system can be opened or closed with ease, making it ideal for homeowners who entertain often, restaurants or hospitality spaces that cater to various traffic throughout the day, and conference rooms or other flexible interiors.
Unique to Generation 4 Folding Glass Walls, FourFold and SixFold panel sets allow for larger openings with easy-to-operate panel sets that slide to the right and left of the opening. Even better, swing doors can be incorporated for easier egress.
NanaWall SL70 in a commercial application.
Designed for Peak Performance
Beyond ease of use, folding glass walls are often selected for their ability to meet demanding performance requirements. Specialized folding glass walls can be engineered to address thermal efficiency, acoustical control, structural strength, high windload performance, and impact resistance.
For example, NanaWall NW Wood 540 folding system delivers the company’s highest thermal performance rating of 0.19. The NW Clad 740 features a unique clip-on cladding technology for added insulation alongside sustainably harvested wood with durable aluminum cladding. The interior system, NW Acoustical 645, provides the strongest sound control, while the SL73 folding system is impact-rated and approved for Miami-Dade applications.
For demanding mid-rise and high-rise applications, NanaWall offers Generation 4 reinforced folding glass walls designed to perform against harsh environments, but without compromising ease of operation and aesthetics. In hurricane zones, the SL73 folding glass wall offers peace of mind while meeting local building requirements. These are just a few examples of the weather performance capabilities of NanaWall folding glass doors.
What Are the Benefits of Sliding Glass Doors?
NanaWall NW MultiSlide 630 in a residential application.
Sliding Glass Doors
Sliding glass walls offer a different experience, rather than the accordion-like operation of folding glass walls, sliding systems glide horizontally along tracks, with panels overlapping as they move. Within the category of sliding systems, NanaWall offers three versatile options: minimal framed sliding glass walls and multislide sliding glass walls.
Minimal Sliding Glass Wall
NanaWall minimal sliding glass walls offer the largest panels available, capable of heights up to 15-feet-tall. The result is a picture-frame effect, which creates unmatched views and a seamless indoor-outdoor connection. The system’s frames are a mere 1 5/16” (34 mm) for minimal sightline obstruction and optimal views.
NanaWall cero minimal sliding glass wall in a residential application.
NanaWall Systems’ minimally framed sliding system, cero®, is commonly used in residential applications to capture views. However, it’s also been applied to more trafficked areas such as storefronts and even within the interior for conference rooms. Although traditionally, there will be at least one fixed panel stack that sits in the opening, cero can be recessed into a pocket. Plus, this system can be specified with automation (by others) for maximum convenience.
NanaWall NW MultiSlide 630 in a residential application.
MultiSlide Glass Door
As part of the NanaWall Generation 4 product family, NW MultiSlide 630 is engineered with a host of features never before seen in our industry. This expansive aluminum framed multisliding door features optional, multidirectional panels that glide to the left and to the right, all within the same track for optimal user flexibility. In addition, panels can be customized with divided lites for a steel effect look. All this while delivering exceptional energy efficiency, ease of operation, minimal frames, and optimal security features.
Consistent Glass Lines
As a unique addition to the Generation 4 comprehensive product line, the award-winning NW MultiSlide 630 offers the same consistent horizontal frame lines found across all of the aluminum framed Generation 4 opening glass doors. This allows architects, builders, and designers to design with uniform glass lines, even when specifying folding and sliding doors.
NanaWall NW Aluminum 640 in a commercial application.
Folding vs Sliding Glass Doors Q&A
How Much Do Folding and Sliding Doors Cost?
NanaWall manufactures custom products tailored specifically to your project needs. Numerous features and options factor into the price, including the type of system, panel size, glass type, hardware, and other custom specifications. The best way to determine cost is to consult with your local area NanaWall architectural representative or request a custom quote here.
Are Folding vs Sliding Glass Doors Customizable?
Yes. NanaWall opening glass doors are a custom-made product tailored to the needs of your residential or commercial project. From height and width to frame color and glass glazing, each system is designed to integrate with your architectural vision, commercial requirements, or residential design direction or lifestyle.
Are NanaWall Folding and Sliding Doors Energy-Efficient?
Yes. NanaWall opening glass doors are designed to perform in every climate with double and triple glazed glass options for optimal weather performance. Aluminum, wood, and aluminum clad frames offer enhanced weather performance. Aluminum framed folding and sliding systems feature thermally broken frames for added comfort. Plus, panels can be filled with air or argon gas for added performance.
Are NanaWall Folding vs Sliding Glass Doors Secure?
Yes. NanaWall folding and sliding doors feature multi-point locking systems to ensure security and peace of mind. Each system is independently tested for air, water, structural integrity, and forced entry, with excellent results. These doors can also offer options for lock monitoring and can connect to home security systems.
Do NanaWall Folding and Sliding Doors Perform in Commercial Environments?
Yes. NanaWall folding and sliding doors are designed to withstand the demanding grind of commercial spaces as well as water-rated, ADA-compliant sills. To ensure long-lasting durability, NanaWall systems are independently tested for over 20,000 opening and closing cycles, and commercial-rated swing panels are tested to 500,000 cycles, ensuring smooth operation every single time.
Are Folding and Sliding Glass Doors Easy to Use?
NanaWall opening glass doors are designed for effortless, single-handed operation, even with large glass panels. Systems such as Cero and Generation 4 feature advanced roller technology, including NanaWall’s Gothic arch stainless steel rollers, which reduce friction and support precise panel movement over time.
For residential spaces, this ease of use makes it simple to regularly open and transform rooms to connect with the outdoors. In commercial environments, it allows staff and facility managers to efficiently open spaces for expanded retail, hospitality, and experiential uses without operational strain.
NanaWall Generation 4 folding and multislide glass walls in a residential application.
So, Folding vs Sliding Glass Doors? It Depends on Your Design Goals.
Choosing between folding vs sliding glass doors is less about determining which system is better and more about understanding which system fits your needs and aesthetics. Whether in a residential or commercial environment, the right system should support how people move through the space, how often the opening is used, and the kind of connection you want to create between indoors and out.
However, if you’re stuck in the folding vs sliding glass doors debate, why not choose both? NanaWall systems’ Generation 4 opening glass doors are designed to complement each other with consistent glass lines across all systems within the Generation 4 product family. The result is a cohesive design that allows different areas of a project to respond to their specific functional needs while maintaining a unified look.
If you need more help deciding on your ideal system, we encourage you to contact a NanaWall representative!
