One of the main differences between double doors and French doors is the material in which they are crafted. Double doors are often made of solid wood, whereas French doors are crafted with panes of glass which helps flood the space with natural light.
French doors also don't always have to be used in pairs. Sometimes a single-panel door with glass is referred to as a French door. The most common size for French doors is 79.5 inches tall and 6 feet wide, but they are available anywhere from five to eight feet wide.
This might come as a surprise, or not, but the name French Doors came from the French themselves. The French designed a window-like-door between the 16th and 17th Century France with glass panes which extended from the top to bottom of the door. This door provided the perfect proportions of light in their homes.
Side by side doors, also known as double doors, are two door configurations where both doors are next to one another. Another name for this type of doors is a French door. The doors can either be active or inactive.
French door (n.): A door, usually one pair, of light construction with glass panes extending for most of its length. They also can be referred to as French windows.
Find out how they are different to patio doors and where they get their name. A french door is a door of light construction which has glass panes extending for most of its length. They are usually fitted as a pair instead of a single door and french doors are sometimes refered to as French windows.
Center Hinge Doors are used where you have the wall space for a French or Patio door but only want one side to open. The center hinge door will provide the look of a French door but hinge in the center allowing the opening to be on the right or left side rather than the center.
Also known as double-action doors, a double swinging door is a single or double door that can swing in both directions. When the two doors are on the hinges, each door can swing independently of the other door and each door will swing in both directions.
French doors allow for both doors to actually open and function. A double door or two-section patio door has a "dummy door" that doesn't actually function, it stays stationary and only one door opens.
In contemporary usage, a vestibule constitutes an area surrounding the exterior door. It acts as an antechamber between the exterior and the interior structure. Often it connects the doorway to a lobby or hallway. It is the space one occupies once passing the door, but not yet in the main interior of the building.
Do French Doors Have Handles On Both Sides? The short answer would be: it depends. Often one of the handles on a french door does not move and is purely decorative, also called a dummy handle. This is because not all french door configurations would necessarily need handles on both sides.
A one-hinged panel is considered a French door; a fixed sidelight can suggest the look of a pair.
The knob at the door's midpoint provides more security, with a crossbar stretched across its width for even more reinforcing support. A central knob also presents a more straightforward installation for latching technology, which is beneficial for keeping doors shut.
As you might assume, a double wide entryway is going to cost more money. Not only do you have to buy two doors instead one, but the surrounding architecture could be costlier. Even if you have the budget, you may not quite have the space.
The great news is most of the double glass doors are timeless and work on almost any style of home. However, if you have a modern contemporary home, you'll want to look at more modern styles.
Can French doors open inwards and outwards? Most exterior French doors can open both inwards and outwards, and this is the same for our bespoke exterior French doors here at Kloeber. So if you're struggling for space inside and have more space outside, outward opening French doors will be ideal for you.
Double front doors can create a more welcoming entryway for both large and small homes. On larger homes, for example, double doors can provide a sense of balance and complement the home's vast exterior. On the other hand, double front doors can create a more open and inviting entry on smaller homes.
Double front doors are great at letting in more than light and air, too. The larger opening provided by an exterior double door is great for moving large objects like furniture into and out of a home.
A “leaf” is referring to a single door panel, for double doors there are two “leaves.” Active Leaf: The active leaf typically contains the locking hardware, or it is the leaf that is generally used most often. It is also the leaf that needs to be opened first before the other leaf will open.
Dogtrot Houses are modest American homes that were built in the 19th and early 20th centuries. They feature a curious design—two front doors.
The “Ghost" system. The door sliding along the wall creates an effect of a ghost slipping through the air. All mechanical parts of the system are hidden in the door leaf and are not visible from any side. You see only an elegant stylish door, sliding along the guide profile, which is mounted above the doorway.
A Dutch door (American English), stable door (British English), or half door (Hiberno-English), is a door divided in such a fashion that the bottom half may remain shut while the top half opens. They were known in early New England as double-hung doors.
The most common way to install French doors is so that they open outwards, but it is possible to have them open inwards instead if you are short of space in your garden. This can actually make for a more secure option too, as the hinges will be hidden inside your home.
Cost of French doors—and resale value
All in all, they're a good investment in your home, since they don't cost much but add significant resale value, so they almost pay for themselves.
T-Astragal Moulding is installed with double, or French doors. It keeps the second door from swinging through the opening.