Replacing your old sliding glass doors with a French door is a great way to enhance your home's appearance while adding value. In contrast to a sliding door, these doors provide an element of class and elegance without stifling your decorative intent.
But, with so many design options on offer, it can be hard to choose which will enhance the functionality of your room without taking away from its beauty. Here are some things to consider when thinking about replacing sliding doors with French doors in your home.
Why Replace a Sliding Door With French Doors?
French doors open the full width of the frame with no overlapping panel, give a classic look that suits traditional homes, and have no track to clean. Sliding doors remain the better choice where there's no room for doors to swing.
Sliding door designs have a slim door frame, the opposite of the classic French door. This means the wide stile and rail windows of French doors have the potential to completely transform the look of your home.
French doors are large, outward-opening double doors. With their large glass panels offering unrestricted views, they’re a popular choice as a patio or garden door. Glass panels are housed in wooden frames to allow for plenty of natural light in your home, making it a popular choice as a patio or garden door.
French doors are available in a range of different sizes to suit different home styles and layouts.
How Much Do French Doors Cost?
Supply-only uPVC French doors can cost around £500–£600, while aluminium French doors range from about £1,850 to £2,200. Custom sizes, glazing upgrades, fitting and any work to the opening add to the total.
Pricing depends on the design and materials rather than one style always costing more, and sliding doors often cost more because of their larger glass panels. Some French doors start at just a few hundred pounds, while others thousands.
The materials used to make the door will also affect the price – at the point of purchase as well as going forward. Custom-made French doors cost significantly more because they're more difficult to produce.
Looking at aluminium vs uPVC French doors, you can expect a big price difference, with uPVC being a vinyl-based option. uPVC French doors can cost between £500 and £600, but this varies depending on the supplier. Aluminium French doors can range from £1850 to £2200.
If you need more advice on aluminium doors, get in touch, and we'll be happy to assist!
How Do French Doors Work?
French doors operate much like most hinged doors. Depending on how you prefer it, they will swing open outwards or inwards. They are also generally easier to open than sliding doors.
They are typically installed as external doors to improve access to the outdoors. A bolt lock or more advanced mechanism, often including a multi-point locking system, generally secures this system.
You will be able to buy these doors mainly double-glazed. This is for security reasons and will also improve the energy efficiency of your home.
What Should You Consider Before Fitting French Doors?
Check the swing space inside and out, the width of the existing opening, the frame material, the locking system and glazing, and whether the work needs Building Regulations sign-off.
They're available in a variety of materials, including wood, uPVC and aluminium, although sliding doors may still suit very minimalist designs or tight layouts better, because they don't need space to swing open. Wood is generally avoided because it can warp if moisture gets in. Wooden doors always require more maintenance to keep them functional. Aluminium and uPVC are popular choices, mainly because of their respective security features.
Should You Choose Aluminium or uPVC French Doors?
uPVC doors are durable, require little maintenance and are relatively cheap. But, as uPVC isn't as strong as the other materials available, the frames need to be thicker to accommodate the same amount of glass.
Aluminium French doors are generally stronger and relatively lightweight, so they can be easier to handle and install while still being built with thinner frames. This means more glass that will allow more light to filter through. When it comes to locking devices, you can choose from deadbolts, interlocking bolts, claw latches and shoot bolts.
You can visit our website to see the other stunning aluminium doors we have available, including different door models such as sliding doors and patio doors, and get some inspiration for your design choices. We can also help with door panels and windows.
How Do You Replace a Sliding Door With French Doors Step by Step?
Measure the opening and order doors to suit, remove the sliding panels and old frame, prepare a level, sound opening, fit and fix the new frame plumb and square, hang and adjust the doors, then seal and finish around the frame. Allow a full day with a helper for a like-for-like opening.
Step 1: Measure the Opening and Order Your Doors
Measure the structural opening in three places for width and height and use the smallest figures, less around 10mm for fitting tolerance. If the opening is wider than a standard French door, plan for fixed side panels. Our patio door size guide lists common UK sizes.
Step 2: Check Building Regulations
Decide whether you'll use a FENSA or CERTASS registered installer or apply to building control yourself before you start work.
Step 3: Remove the Sliding Panels
Lift the sliding panel out of its track and remove the fixed panel, following our guide on how to remove a sliding patio door. If the panels are too heavy, remove the glass first.
Step 4: Take Out the Old Frame
Cut through the sealant, remove the frame fixings and lever the frame out, taking care not to damage the lintel, brickwork or cavity closers.
Step 5: Prepare the Opening
Clean the reveals, check the sill area is level and has a damp-proof course, and make good any damaged brickwork or plaster.
Step 6: Fit the New Frame
Set the frame on packers, check it's plumb, level and square, then fix it through the jambs into the masonry using the supplied fixings.
Step 7: Hang and Adjust the Doors
Hang the doors on their hinges and adjust them so both leaves meet evenly, close without catching and the multi-point lock engages smoothly.
Step 8: Seal and Finish
Run silicone around the outside of the frame, fit internal trims and check the seals. Our guide to sealing aluminium doors and windows explains how.
How Do You Make Sure the New French Doors Will Fit?
The most important part is to measure your doors properly and plan the installation correctly. If you have done that, then everything else should be an easy job.
Should you have to fit a new frame, however, said frame will have to be installed into the opening for your sliding door first, and if the opening is too wide for the new French doors, side fixed windows may be used to fill the extra space.
Check and double-check that the door is the right size. For example, confirm the opening dimensions before removing the old frame. Follow the “measure twice, cut once” rule. Do not remove your existing frame until you are 100% sure the new one will fit in where the old sliding door opening is.
Remember, these doors are big, so having someone to help you will make the task of replacing sliding doors more manageable. Some French doors can open 180 degrees, which is useful in larger spaces.
Widening an existing sliding door opening may entail electrical rewiring and structural alterations. It goes without saying that these jobs should only be undertaken by someone who is experienced. Fitting a new French door into the existing sliding door opening is a much more doable project.
Hiring a professional to replace your sliding door with a French door is an option if you're unable to tackle the job yourself. Many homeowners are hesitant to go down this route because of the costs involved. Sure, you will save money if you do the job yourself, but if done incorrectly, hiring an expert to fix your DIY mess might cost you more, considerably more.
How Do You Make French Doors Secure?
Make sure your external French doors are fitted with double glazing and a multi-point locking system for maximum security.
Any external door that is an entry, as well as an exit point into your home, should naturally become a security feature for your house as well. If you are unsure whether your French door is secure enough, we recommend calling in an expert to check.
Should French Doors Be Double or Triple Glazed?
Double-glazing is the standard when it comes to external French doors, as it helps to hold both sound and heat in a way that single-glazing cannot. Note, however, that not all double-glazing is the same; glass thickness and space between the two layers can affect efficiency.
Triple glazing is more effective than double glazing, but costs more and reduces the amount of light coming through. If you choose the right window glazing option you can increase your energy efficiency significantly.
Do You Need Building Regulations Approval to Replace a Sliding Door?
Yes. Replacing an external door must comply with Building Regulations for thermal performance and safety glazing. A FENSA or CERTASS registered installer can self-certify the work; if you fit the doors yourself, you'll need to apply to your local authority building control.
If you are wondering whether you can replace sliding doors with French doors, building regulations are one of the first things to check. Without certification you could run into problems: should you want to sell your property and the potential buyer asks for verification of said compliance, you could find yourself in a bit of a pickle.
Building regulations in the UK require compliance with certain standards when doors are fitted. Therefore, it is important to choose a qualified installer who understands current requirements on the market when fitting a French door.
But if you go down the DIY route, you will have to submit an inspection application with your local authority.
Is It Difficult to Install French Doors?
The short answer is that fitting your own French door is much easier than installing an aluminium bi-fold door or sliding door. However, don't do it yourself unless you have prior experience. After all, the door frame is what determines how well your door will fit.
When installing French doors, the most important thing is to plan. Consider the space around the door as well, such as the door frame, and think about how the swing direction affects the room inside and nearby furniture placement.
To determine the swing space necessary for your door, measure a radius around the door's pivot on either side of the jamb, keeping in mind the doors can open on both sides, so clearance matters. You may also opt for a screen door system or curtains and blinds for added privacy.
Even perfectly installed French doors will occasionally need adjusting. And again, unless you have the requisite experience, get professional help.
How Do You Adjust French Doors?
Most uPVC and aluminium French doors have adjustable hinges. Remove the hinge cover and turn the adjustment screws with an Allen key to move the door up, down or sideways until both leaves meet evenly, close without catching and lock smoothly. Make small adjustments and test after each one.
In some cases, draughts are a result of doors not being fitted properly, creating a gap that allows cold air to seep through and warm air to escape.
To fix this, adjust the hinges (or add a packer behind them) to pull the doors together and narrow the gap. If you have uPVC doors, remove the cover and use a hex key to alter the hanging position of the doors.
Are French Doors Weatherproof?
There is a common misconception that French doors are less weatherproof than sliding doors. However, a French door can be sealed just as well as sliding glass doors, even though sliders rely on a track while French doors depend more on good seals and correct alignment. And if they're sealed correctly and sit properly in the door frame, there shouldn't occur any weather-related issues.
Seal the gaps between the door and your opening correctly. Here is a simple test to check whether it is sealed: close the door on a sheet of paper at several points around the frame and pull it out slowly. If it slides out with no resistance, the seal isn't tight enough and whether you need to readjust it or if there are any gaps to still be sealed.
Replacing Sliding Doors With French Doors FAQs
Why won't my French doors lock?
There might be a few reasons why this is happening. Check if there’s any debris or ice clogging the lock. The door might have dropped slightly, causing the locking mechanism to be misaligned.
A good way to check is to open the door and try to lock it... if the lock works fine with the door open, it'll need some adjusting. If the lock still doesn’t work, then the mechanism itself is faulty and will likely need replacing.
Why do my French doors leak?
Leaks can happen if the sealing holding the glass is faulty or defective. Sealing the edges of your French door will prevent water from entering your home and prevent draughts.
Why won't my French doors close?
uPVC doors tend to drop slightly after a few years. This can lead to a number of functional problems, including doors not closing properly or the locks not aligning properly. It's a relatively easy fix, though. Simply use an Allen key and rotate to the right to push the door away from the hinge, or to the left to pull it closer. Using a spirit level to see exactly where your door is out of alignment is a good idea.
Are French doors practical?
French doors function exactly the same as almost every other door, so they’re simple to use day to day and can open wide for easy movement near a wall. In some setups, the doors can open 180 degrees, making it easier to pass large items through the opening. No complex mechanisms, and no intricate moving parts, unlike a sliding glass door.
Are French doors soundproof?
Modern double glazing is more sound-resistant than a solid-wood door. French doors with double glazing are well-equipped to reduce noise pollution. The quality of the seals is also a factor in that high-quality seals will be able to filter out large amounts of noise.
Can you fit French doors in a sliding door opening?
Yes. Most sliding door openings can take French doors, often with fixed side panels to fill the extra width, so no structural work is needed. Widening or narrowing the opening is a bigger job that may need a new lintel.
How long does it take to replace a sliding door with French doors?
A like-for-like replacement usually takes one day for an experienced fitter, plus time for making good plaster or render. Allow longer if the opening needs altering.
Can I replace a window with French doors?
Yes, but you'll need to remove the brickwork below the window down to floor level, which usually needs Building Regulations approval and may need planning consent on listed buildings. Learn more in our guide to what French doors are.
