Since French doors are primarily all glass, these types of doors can bring in an incredible amount of natural light. Renewal by Andersen's 5-point locking system on its Frenchwood ® patio doors not only offers an increase level of security but also improves energy efficiency.
It's all About the Light
Today a French door simply indicates a patio door that is made mostly of glass. There are French inswing, French outswing and French sliding door styles. Some contain grid patterns and some are without.
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.
The glass in all doors is required to be tempered, and a combination of tempered and laminated glass is used in French doors installed in homes susceptible to hurricanes or when more robust security measures are desired. Achieving the classic French door grid or grille pattern can be accomplished using several methods.
There are many different styles of French door on the market today, and most of these can be further customised with lights (or window panels) in a wide range of shapes, sizes and even materials.
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.
Sidelights are fixed windows that are attached to the side of an entry door. They are typically tall and narrow and help add architectural interest to the front of your home and natural light to your entryway.
Replacing a broken window in a French door is extremely simple and just takes a little elbow grease and patience. Replacing or repairing the broken window in a French door will save you more money than buying a whole new door.
Glazing/Glass: Classic French and Hinged Patio doors are standard glazed with an energy efficient, double pane (minimum 3/4 inch thick), tempered insulating glass unit.
French Doors are full length and feature a door handle, whereas French windows are half length and have a different handle specifically manufactured for windows. French windows feature two panels of glass that are side hung and open either inward or outward, creating an uninterrupted view.
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.
Door blinds are an excellent cover for any French door, often providing access to light yet enough privacy for your home.
Curtains are the most popular way to get some privacy and not to spoil the interior as even the most refined décor looks good with them. Choose drapes according to the style and colors of your room, and if you are hesitating, try lighter neutral shades because they always look airy and refresh the room décor.
French doors leaking when heavy rains is a common problem, but not one without solutions. The first step in resolving the issue is to properly inspect and identify any areas of concern that may be causing water ingress into your home or property.
While French doors offer many benefits to your home, they also come with some unique challenges. French doors typically have glass panes, which can be easily broken. This means that criminals can enter your home by simply breaking a pane and reaching through to unlock the door.
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.
The size of a French door will be set by its manufacturer, but generally, it will be between 30-72” in width per door. Usually, they can be bought in increments of 2 inches. French doors are usually sold as a pair of around 120cm, 150cm or 180cm in total. If the doors have sidelights, they could be wider – up to 300cm.
Standard French Door Sizes
The standard height of a French door is 79.5 inches, and such doors are usually 6 feet wide, with the option to expand the width with sidelites.
When a glass pane in your French doors gets broken or cracked, you don't need to replace the entire door panel. You can easily replace that broken pane on your own as long as you have the materials and the patience to repair it yourself.
As long as the door frame is in good condition, and the new door panel is the same size as the old one, replacing a door without replacing the frame is certainly a possibility. However, there are certain signs that can indicate your door frame needs replacing.
An astragal is the vertical strip that is placed in between your two french doors. The astragal is attached to the inactive door pane, or the panel that is not typically used for entry and exit, in your french door system.
No, French doors are a timeless addition to a home and have been in style for many years.
Do French or sliding patio doors cost more? French patio doors typically cost more than sliding patio doors, but the cost of either door style can vary greatly depending on the custom options you choose.