French doors are a pair of hinged, mostly glazed doors that open from the centre with no fixed post between them, giving a wide opening onto a garden, patio or another room. They originated in 17th-century France to let more natural light into dimly lit homes.
French doors resemble French windows, but their glass panes extend most of the door's length. This maximises the sunlight that comes in during the summer - a very desirable feature. They remain very popular, making homes bright and airy without sacrificing security.
These doors are also sought-after for their aesthetic appeal that creates a wider opening than sliding patio doors. They're ideal for ventilation, and make rooms appear more spacious - and they come in a range of colours and materials.
What Are the Main Features of French Doors?
If you find yourself asking, "what are French doors?" you've come to the right place. French doors are typically hinged double doors - quite a familiar design to most people. The doors open outwards to create a "double" doorway, and are locked in the centre when closed. They typically have toughened glazing that allows in natural light.
The glass panels are double or triple glazed on modern external doors - transparent enough to let in sunshine and brighten the room. French doors are often used as external doors leading to patios, helping connect indoor and outdoor spaces, but thousands of people have interior French doors.
They come in a range of sizes, and can even be customised to suit different measurements. Some people prefer multiple sets of French doors if they want something to fit with a wider doorway.
What Types of French Doors Are There?
The main types are external French doors, which open onto a garden or patio, internal French doors, which divide rooms while sharing light, and sliding French-style doors for spaces without room for doors to swing.
What Are External French Doors?
These are the doors that lead outside to your patio, decking or other outdoor areas such as a garden. External French doors can open inwards or outwards, with large glass panes allowing plenty of natural light into your home while creating a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces.
What Are Internal French Doors?
French doors are a smart way to use glass for indoor openings while creating the illusion of extra space in your home’s interior. A well-designed French door can divide a space into two practical and stylish rooms while making living spaces feel brighter and more open.
Can You Get Sliding French Doors?
Sliding French patio doors are a popular choice for many homeowners, and they are often a better fit for smaller patios because they save swing space while still allowing plenty of room to pass in and out of the house. Their track system can also support furniture placement and smooth operation. While not the traditional design, sliding French doors offer a look that contrasts with the traditional appearance of French doors and can suit contemporary homes.
What Materials Do French Doors Come In?
French doors are made in aluminium, uPVC, timber and composite. Aluminium offers the slimmest frames and lowest maintenance, uPVC is the cheapest, timber suits period homes, and composite combines durability with a wood-like look.
Are Aluminium French Doors Worth It?
For long-lasting, maintenance-free doors, aluminium french doors are ideal. This durable material doesn't corrode (perfect for coastal areas) and offers a low maintenance, contemporary option for modern homes while helping regulate the house's temperature: keeping you cool in summer and warm in winter. See our aluminium vs uPVC patio doors comparison for more.
Are uPVC French Doors a Good Choice?
uPVC French doors are the least expensive material option for French doors, making them a cost effective choice for smaller budgets, with the added benefit of being low maintenance.
Are Timber French Doors a Good Choice?
The most traditional door material, timber is a popular choice because it can be varnished or painted to suit your property’s style and décor. Our aluminium vs timber doors comparison explains the trade-offs.
What Are Composite French Doors?
Composite material, produced by binding glass fibres with plastics, is primarily used in construction. Its many benefits include longevity, durability, and minimal maintenance needs.
What Are the Benefits of French Doors?
French doors are popular for many reasons - their versatility, for a start. They are attractive, practical, and their aesthetics and versatile design suit different architectural styles indoors and outdoors.
Can French Doors Be Made Secure?
French doors fitted with double-glazing and toughened glass are very secure. A high-quality lock, such as an espagnolette bolt, can boost security for external doors. Combined with a multi-point lock, it makes the secondary door very difficult to force.
Are French Doors Good Value?
French doors, with their simple design, few components, and range of sizes and glazing, can offer strong cost effectiveness. Some doors' sliding mechanisms can be more complex than those of French doors, increasing their price for homeowners seeking value. French doors are a practical and aesthetically pleasing alternative.
Do French Doors Let In More Light?
Sliding patio-style doors may be simple, but they obscure at least part of the frame at all times. French doors help solve this problem with an open design and larger glass panels that bring in ample natural light and air.
Can French Doors Be Used Inside and Out?
People tend to use French doors as exterior doors, but they work just as well indoors. The seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living spaces is part of their appeal, and the feeling of spaciousness is something we can all appreciate. A wider entrance makes a room feel bigger and brighter, whether it's a dressing room, play room or dining room.
What Are the Disadvantages of French Doors?
The main drawbacks are that French doors need clear space to swing open, which limits furniture placement, and their large glass areas reduce privacy. They also can't be left partly open in the way a sliding door can.
Do French Doors Need a Lot of Space?
French doors open outward and need enough space to move, which can limit furniture placement and make them impractical in smaller rooms or beside smaller patios. A sliding door will help you avoid this issue.
How Private Are French Doors?
Privacy can be a tricky issue with French doors, as the glass and light make it easy to see inside. Curtains or blinds can improve privacy to an extent, but they don't work well with larger doorways. You can't slide a French door partially open as you would a patio door, for example - your French door is either open or closed, with no grey area in between.
Can French Doors Make Your Home More Energy Efficient?
Yes. Modern French doors with thermally broken aluminium frames, double or triple glazing and good seals can significantly reduce heat loss compared with old single-glazed or poorly fitted doors.
When you replace or install new doors, sustainability should be one of your top priorities. Apart from benefiting the environment, who wants to waste money on high heating bills? Dwellings' energy efficiency is also regulated by Building Regulations (Part L).
If you’re considering installing exterior French doors, you may wonder about their energy efficiency. Fortunately, well-constructed exterior French doors are an ideal energy-efficient replacement for other doors and can help with improving energy efficiency throughout the home.
Doors with double-glazed panes keep homes warm, as the toughened glass helps reduce heat loss. To improve insulation even more, choose triple glazing with a low-E coating.
French doors with tough, double-glazed panes prevent heat seeping out. Thermally broken aluminium frames also reduce heat loss through the frame. A custom installation also provides a perfect fit, which can boost a home's energy efficiency. Well-sealed French doors can be just as energy efficient as a good set of sliding doors.
How Secure Are French Doors?
Modern French doors are very secure when fitted with a multi-point locking system, shoot bolts on the secondary door, toughened or laminated glass and anti-snap cylinders. Look for doors tested to PAS 24.
Multi-point locks are similar to those of many modern front doors - your aluminium door probably has one. A multi-point locking system is like a mortice lock; turn the key once and the door locks in multiple places. Many people consider multi-point locks the sturdiest and most secure lock for a French door.
A security bar prevents a door's handles from moving, adding an extra layer of safety. Some security bars include alarms - perfect for older French doors without modern security features.
How Much Do French Doors Cost?
Converting a window into uPVC French doors costs around £1,700 fitted, and creating or widening an opening costs around £3,000. Aluminium French doors cost a little more but last longer and need less maintenance. Browse our aluminium French doors to price your size.
In the UK, most French doors are made from uPVC, and they are often the most cost effective choice. Expect to pay around £1,700 (labour and the cost of the door) to convert an existing window into a uPVC French door.
If you’re looking to create a new opening or to enlarge an existing door frame, you are looking at somewhere in the region of £3000.
Our aluminium options cost a little more than this, but they do have many advantages over cheaper materials. Aluminium will last much longer than uPVC, and it requires little maintenance. So, as a long term investment, aluminium is also a cost effective choice.
French Door FAQs
French doors and patio-style doors – What's the difference?
The main difference between French doors and patio doors is that the former are typically hinged and open outwards, while the latter slide on a track. French doors have a classic design, and patio-style doors look more contemporary in appearance.
Sliding door or French door – Which is safer?
Most modern French doors have multi-lock systems that are more secure than sliding doors.
Sliding doors often have flimsier locking mechanisms that can be pushed up and down easily.
Do French doors last long?
French doors usually last a long time, sometimes, around 30 years or more. This will depend on what they’re made from and how well they’re maintained.
How wide are French doors?
Most external French doors in the UK are between about 1200mm and 1800mm wide and around 2090mm high. Aluminium French doors are usually made to measure, and wider openings can add fixed side panels.
Do you need planning permission for French doors?
Usually not if you're replacing an existing door or window opening on a house, as this is normally permitted development. Forming a new opening needs Building Regulations approval, and listed buildings and conservation areas may need consent.
Why are French doors called French doors?
They're named after the full-length glazed doors that became popular in 17th-century France, which were designed to bring more daylight into rooms and open onto gardens and balconies.
How do you adjust French doors?
Most uPVC and aluminium French doors have adjustable hinges. Remove the hinge cover and turn the screws with an Allen key to move each door up, down or sideways until both meet evenly and lock smoothly. If you're swapping out an old slider, see our guide to replacing a sliding door with French doors.
