Everything You Need to Know About French Doors

So, you wish to buy a French door for your house? Or are you simply curious to learn more about this elegant door that dates back to the 17th century?

 

French doors have a rich history and make your house stand out in a way no other door can.

 

If you want to breathe new life into your patio or porch, a French door is the right choice: the glass panes allow plenty of sunlight to bathe your home and allow easy access to the garden.

 

A French door makes your lawn a proper part of your home, instead of hidden away behind regular doors. You can contemplate it during cold winter days and in the summer, open them wide to let your kids and pets have fun.

 

So, keep reading to discover everything there is to know about French doors!

What Are French Doors?

 

French doors are glass-panel doors that originated in France in the 17th century.

 

They look like windows and there’s a reason for that: originally, French doors were actually large windows that opened up to balconies (hence the name porte-fenêtre, “door window” in French).

 

The French doors brought much-needed light into homes lit by candles and fireplaces since there wasn’t any electricity back then.

 

Soon, they became popular in England and took the rest of the world by storm. The English called them French doors since they came from France and the name stuck.

 

Nowadays, French doors are the best choice for people who want a gorgeous door that allows plenty of sunlight to come in and easy access to a patio or garden.

 

Pros of French Doors

 

French doors provide many benefits to homeowners who love to daydream looking at the outdoors, or simply enjoy the early morning sunlight coming into the house on harsh winter days.

 

• Allow sunlight to come into the house during winter
• Can remain open on hot summer days for air circulation
• Easy access for family and pets to the patio and garden
• Aesthetically-pleasing: glass French doors make a living room, kitchen or entrance hall look sophisticated

Cons of French Doors

 

And since there are two sides to every coin, French doors do come with their cons. Too much visibility and cleanliness among them.

 

• Lack of privacy: neighbors and passersby can easily look into your home and see what you are doing
• External French doors that open inward take up space and you have to plan your furniture to give them adequate room
• Hard to clean: French doors with gratings can be a hassle to clean since dirt can get stuck in the crevices (it’s still manageable though)

 

 

Common Misconceptions about French Doors

 

There are many misconceptions people have about French doors.

 

Even though they have grown in popularity in the past decades as a timely yet contemporary door for any home, French doors still get a bad reputation by some people.

 

We’re going to debunk the most common misconceptions about French Doors so you know the truth.

 

1. French doors aren’t safe (false!)

 

Many homeowners think French doors can be easily busted open by any burglar — that all they need to do is bust the window pane and turn the handle.

 

This isn’t true! French doors can be outfitted with triple locks (or even 5 locks) for safety, which means no handle turning will work. These are key locks, which means no burglar can get in your house through a French door.

 

2. French doors don’t insulate the house properly (not true!)

 

Many people won’t even consider installing a French door because they believe a windowpane door will make all the heat of the house escape.

 

This isn’t true!. Nowadays, French doors have double or even triple glazing to insulate your home and keep the heat inside during winter.

 

Some even receive Energy Star certificates, which means the doors are energy-efficient in regards to heat insulation.

 

3. French doors require a lot of maintenance (only as much as any door, honestly)

 

Some folks hesitate to install a French door in their house because they believe plenty of maintenance will be required.

 

This is misleading: French doors require just as much maintenance and care as any other door. There’s nothing specific about a French door that makes it more fragile than others.

 

Also, several French doors even include a lifetime warranty which means if you have any issues, you can ask for repairs without paying extra.

 

French Door Styles

 

There are many styles of French door available with variations in the gratings of the glass pane, the material used (wood, vinyl, fiberglass) or even if there’s an arch on the door.

 

Check out the list below of some French door styles and see for yourself:

 

• Builders doors
• Top arch double doors
• Trinity doors
• Alexandria doors
• Tiffany doors
• Divided lite doors
• Fiberglass doors

Are there Different Types and Styles of French Doors?

 

Yes! There are so many types and styles of French doors available. You can spend all day checking out all the options available and see which would look best in your house!

 

We already mentioned some styles before, so let’s start off now with the types:

 

Single In-Swinging French door

 

This French door has one fixed panel while the other panel swings open inside the house.

 

This door imitates the look of the “classical” double French door but has the added benefit of taking up less space. After all, only one door swings inward instead of two.

 

If you’re tight on space, maybe a single in-swinging door is the choice for you.

 

Double In-Swinging French door

 

This is the classical French door look. Two doors that open wide and welcome your garden or patio into the house.

 

It’s gracious and provides plenty of sunlight and glamour to traditional and modern houses alike. If you’re looking for the unmistakable French door aesthetic, then pick double in-swinging doors.

 

Double Out-Swinging French door

 

This is the same as the in-swinging door, but instead of opening inward — the doors open toward the great outdoors!

 

The main benefit of these doors is that you have the traditional look, but without taking any space inside your house. After all, since the doors swing outward, you have more space for furniture, plants or anything you like in your abode.

 

Sliding French doors

 

Whether or not sliding doors are in fact “French doors” remains disputed.

 

Some people consider them as French while others say they are in a whole other category. Either way, they provide similar benefits, such as plenty of sunlight and a garden view.

 

The main difference is they don’t have hinges but instead slide open. This is perfect for modern homes that wish to maintain a sleek look.

 

There are even sliding doors available that slide into the wall and out of sight (known as pocket doors).

 

Folding Patio Doors

 

These doors are fitted onto a track and can be fully folded to the side, revealing a wide opening to the outdoors.

 

That’s the main benefit of folding patio doors compared to French doors or even sliding doors: once they are completely folded, you have a huge gateway to the outside, making your garden feel like it’s a part of the house.

 

The number of panels can change depending on the size of the opening, and many models include a “traffic door” (also known as a daily door) for easy access.

 

With a traffic door, you don’t have to fold up the whole set just to go outside, which can be a hassle when you’re in a rush.

 

What about the styles?

 

French door styles can be categorized by their frame design:

 

• Colonial: these French doors retain the number of lites (glass panels) of classical, 17th-century doors. Any door with over 15 lites can classify as colonial, such as these 15 lite French doors!
• Tudor: doors with diamond grids that look like they came from a fancy English mansion, such as this mahogany diamond-grid door.
• Contemporary: doors with thin frames for a sleek aesthetic that looks perfect in any modern home. Check out these savvy oak doors to understand why.

 

Choosing French Doors from US Door & More

 

We have earned ten awards from Houzz for the quality of our customer service and the design of our doors.

 

In fact, we have a long history in the door industry, dating to the 1970s: our founder is from a family of woodworkers and opened US Door & More in 2010 to allow people to easily shop online for beautiful, exclusive doors.

Our team is readily available to help you purchase the best French doors for your property: just chat with us anytime (24/7) or call us from Monday to Saturday.

 

US Door & More provides insurance to make sure your door arrives safe and sound at your doorstep. And our facility in Tampa, FL creates unique doors you can’t find anywhere else.

 

So, if you’re looking for a French door for your home — be it single, double, sliding, classical or modern — we’ve got you covered.

 

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