What Are French Doors and Should You Add Them to Your Home?
French doors are functional, elegant, and undeniably pretty, but they're not the best fit for every space
Highlights
French doors are an elegant option for side or rear entrances.
They cost more than most other types of patio doors.
They are more secure than sliders and all-glass doors.
French doors are beautiful and stylish, and they’re usually a highly sought-after exterior door option that boosts your home’s value. However, there are some drawbacks to consider before installing one in your home, like the cost and the above-average door size that may not fit your space. In this guide, we’ll discuss what a French door is, the pros and cons, and how to decide if it’s the right door style for your home.
What is a French Door?
A French door is a type of door that serves as a secondary entrance to your home, usually from a patio, deck, or side driveway. French doors typically come in pairs, so you can open either side for easy access or both sides for maximum airflow or to move large pieces of furniture in or out of your home with ease.
French doors are characterized by a multitude of small glass panes that make up the entire door with grilles separating the panes. The abundance of glass means they let tons of natural light into your living space, which is partially why they’re such a popular exterior door option.
What Options are Available for French Doors?
French doors come in a variety of styles with different window pane sizes and formations. The most popular style includes two or three columns of small glass panes arranged in four to seven rows per door. Some French doors include large panes up top or on the bottom, complemented by smaller panes covering the rest of the door.
You also have options pertaining to the door size, frame material, opening action, and the grilles.
French Door Size Options
For the most part, French doors come in pairs, with the entire door frame measuring between 60 inches and 80 inches wide—30 to 40 inches wide per door—and 80 inches tall. Most individual doors are 36 inches wide, meaning the typical wall opening for a set of French doors would be 72 inches wide.
However, some French doors come in singles, with a stationary glass panel beside it to allow more light in. These standalone panels can be any width, but they usually sit between 12 inches and 48 inches wide.
Below are some standard French door sizes:
24 inches wide by 80 inches tall
30 inches wide by 80 inches tall
36 inches wide by 80 inches tall
48 inches wide by 80 inches tall
60 inches wide by 80 inches tall
72 inches wide by 80 inches tall
84 inches wide by 80 inches tall
French Door Frame Options
You also have your choice of frame materials when you purchase and install a French door, including vinyl, aluminum, fiberglass, wood, and wood clad. These all come at different prices, have varying levels of longevity, and affect your home’s energy efficiency in different ways.
French Door Opening Action Options
The most popular style of French door includes two doors that meet in the middle and open outward into your outdoor space. There are some other options, though. Below are all of the opening options you can choose when it comes to French doors:
Single door with in-swing: This consists of a single door that opens into your living space. It usually has a stationary panel of glass to the side of it.
Single door with out-swing: An out-swinging door is similar to an in-swinging door, but the door opens outward instead. This is more common but less secure, as its hinges are accessible on the outside.
Double door with in-swing: Consists of two doors with hinges on the outer edges. The doors swing inward into your living space.
Double door with out-swing: Same as a double in-swinging door, but the doors open outward. These are more common but less secure, as the hinges are accessible from outside.
Double door with center hinge: Consists of two doors with hinges on a center beam. The doors open opposite one another.
French Door Grille Options
Finally, you have some customization options when it comes to the grilles that separate or appear to separate your French door glass panes:
True divided lites: With true divided “lites” or panes, the panes of glass are individual panes, and the grilles serve to separate them. These are rare now that large panes of glass are relatively easy to manufacture.
Simulated divided lites: These are made from large panes that span the entire door, but they have grilles that are bonded to the surface on the inside and outside to make it seem like they are true divided lites.
Detachable grilles: These are also made from a single pane of glass per door, and they have removable faux grilles on the inside, outside, or, more commonly, both sides to make it look like a traditional French door.
Grilles between the glass: Faux grilles are sandwiched between the large panes of glass to simulate the appearance of a traditional French door. These are easiest to clean, but they don’t look as convincing as other styles.
Pros of French Doors
French doors might be more expensive than other exterior door styles, but they come with some pretty significant upsides.
Added Security
Exterior French doors sometimes offer more security when compared to other all-glass doors or sliding glass doors, but only if they have true divided lites. These are relatively uncommon in the modern era, but they do boost security.
Aesthetically Pleasing
Most homeowners agree that French doors are beautiful, both on the inside and outside. It’s also possible that replacing standard windows or doors with French doors can increase the value of your home by adding curb appeal.
Added Natural Light and Ventilation
French doors bring the outdoors in with an abundance of natural light and excellent ventilation when opened completely. Not only does this make your room light and airy, but it can save you money on your electric bill by lighting and naturally heating the room during the day.
Makes the Space Feel Larger
Not only do French doors bring in light from the outside, but they also make the whole space feel larger than standard windows. They can fill wide interior door openings and create a beautiful transition between rooms that can be closed off when needed. French doors can also make an outside patio feel like an extension of the interior, giving the illusion of a larger room.
Customizable
French doors come in a variety of sizes and materials that allow them to fit in a wide variety of design styles. You can choose from a number of framing materials, likewood, aluminum, steel, and fiberglass, as well as glass options. Clear glass is standard, but you can choose opaque glass for added security or decorative glass for a more elegant look.
Cons of French Doors
French doors are popular for their appearance and functionality, but there are some drawbacks to consider before installing one in your home.
Require More Space
Because French doors are hung on hinges, they need more space when fully open than sliding glass doors. If your room is small, or the door will be positioned near a large piece of furniture such as a table or sofa, French doors may not be the best fit. You also need a much larger wall opening—usually double the width—to accommodate French doors.
Can Be Pricey
Although French doors can add to the value of your home, they are usually more expensive than regular exterior doors.
Installing French doors costs between $500 for low-end options and $4,000 for pre-designed, custom, or larger alternatives. If you hire a pro to install your French door, you can pay anywhere between $400 and $1,400 for labor. The final cost will depend on the materials, like the type of door knob you want, and the size of the door.
You can also install French doors between rooms in your home. The cost of interior door installation tends to be a little lower, totaling around $800 for the materials and labor.
Doesn’t Fit Every Decor
French doors have an inherently traditional feel that may seem out of place in an ultra-modern home.
Not Very Energy Efficient
No matter how elegant French doors look, they are not as energy efficient as a solid door or solid exterior wall. They have an abundance of glass, and while glass windows and doors are far more energy-efficient than they used to be, nothing beats the R-value of a closed-off, insulated wall. Double glass French doors are also less efficient than traditional exterior doors, single glass doors, and some sliding doors.
Are French Doors Worth It?
French Doors have their upsides and downsides, but most homeowners agree that they’re a worthwhile investment. They could reduce your energy efficiency a bit, and do cost a little more than other types of exterior doors, but they’re aesthetically pleasing, maximize ventilation and natural light in your living space, and add an elegance and functionality that most homebuyers adore.
Ultimately, you should choose what’s best for you and your family, along with what fits in with your home’s decor and your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Double doors consist of two solid doors, sometimes with a small window in the upper section of each, while French doors are made almost entirely of glass encased in a thin frame. Double doors are more secure because there’s less fragile material that could break and give access to your home, while French doors are an elegant and beautiful addition to your home that maximize light and ventilation in your property. Double doors also tend to open inward and sit at the front of your home, while French doors usually open outward to a rear yard or patio area.
French doors can either open inward or outward, but because hinges are the mechanism for opening and closing, a single set of French doors will not be able to do both. Most French doors only open outward onto a patio, deck, or porch, while some only open inward if the outdoor space is limited and can’t accommodate the open doors.
French doors usually have two handles, with one for each door. However, some French doors only include a single door adjacent to a panel of glass that doesn’t open or close. In that case, you’d have a single handle on the door side and no handle on the stationary side.