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.
If you have double French doors, it is typical for the left one to open first from the exterior of the home. However, the opening direction of French doors can be adjusted based on personal preference, with options for opening inwards or outwards.
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.
What's the key difference? 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.
Safety. Inward-opening doors are the safest option. In the case of fire, it's easier for rescuers to smash their way through a door that opens inwards. Having the door open into the room will also prevent the possibility of opening the door into the face of an unsuspecting caller on the other side.
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.
The double entry allows you to create a wider entrance when needed. Depending on the door you purchase one door can remain fixed or locked so that only the main active door opens and closes just like a single door the difference being that you can always choose to operate both doors.
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.
A French door astragal (also referred to as French door locks or double door T astragals), or the vertical strip that is placed in between your two french doors, is an essential part of ensuring your french door system stays secure and sealed.
This type of patio door should always be fitted so that the door slides to the inside of the fixed frame. The doors are designed this way so they are more secure. When you have finished installing your doors, take this sliding element into account before placing furniture.
French Doors
They usually have glass and typically have one side of the door that opens while the other stays stationary unless unhinged to open as well.
The reason your front door swings inward is very purposeful. Even simple door designs have hinges and hinge pins to allow the door to open and shut. These hinges are a bit of a security weak point, and are placed inside the home to make it harder for would-be intruders to gain access to your home.
If the doors open in, consider adding two door-jammer bars, one underneath each handle, to prevent each door from being pushed in. A third solution is a handle lock, which is a device that slips over each of the door handles, regardless of whether they are knobs or levers, and secures them together.
Interior doors typically swing outward. When opening a door inside of a home or building, you'll probably push it away from you. Exterior doors, though, typically swing inward.
The standard door measurements of an interior door are 80 inches by 36 inches. And the typical door width should be at least 24 inches, while the height should be 80 inches.
Ultimately it's all a matter of preference. If you want to maximise internal floor space, get French doors that open outward. If you want French doors with better weatherproofing that maximise patio or garden space, chose to fit it so your french doors open inwards.
Astragal. If your front door design includes double doors, an astragal is the vertical piece that runs between the two panels.
Most door installers look for a gap in the middle of double doors between 3mm and 5mm – that's less than ¼ inch. This means the doors will swing correctly and there's no risk of them hitting one another. Any gap between doors bigger than 5mm is too much and will look out of place.
French doors add architectural interest and value to a home's exterior. They come in a variety of styles and sizes, from the classic arched door to the single paneled door. They can be used to enhance the aesthetic appeal of a home, increase living space, and increase the amount of natural light for a room.
Technically, you do not need to have handles on both sides of your internal French doors. This type of internal door only takes one handle to operate so if you install a second one it is a 'dummy' and can be secured with bolts.
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.
Disadvantages of Double Entry Doors
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 short answer is generally no, building code doesn't specify which way your door should swing. However, this isn't always the case, especially in areas with extreme weather, so you'll want to check your local building codes to make sure you're complying with any variations.