Is it time to say good-bye to the obstructionist solid door and introduce some more light into your life? Consider French doors. These combination windows and doors create a sense of space as they flood rooms with sunlight. And new glass technologies mean that security and insulation concerns of the past are in many cases outdated. Read on to find out whether French doors are the answer for you.
Exactly what are French doors?
French doors, also known as French windows, are doors of varying sizes that are composed of panels of glass. They traditionally (but not always) come in pairs and are hinged, with either an in-swing or out-swing. They're used as both interior and exterior doors: They often link two rooms, such as an adjacent living and dining room; they also commonly provide access to balconies, patios, and gardens.
Above: In the center of a metal-framed window wall, French doors blur the boundary between indoors and out, effectively doubling the living space. A project by Design of Wonder of Melbourne, it was featured in Gardenista's Steal This Look: Black and White Indoor/Outdoor Terrace. Photograph via Design of Wonder.
Who invented French doors?
No individual can take credit, but French doors have a history rooted in France. They're said to have been influenced by Italian Renaissance architecture and its emphasis on light and symmetry—a style which migrated to France after the Great Italian Wars of the 16th century. Aesthetics combined with a pre-electricity dependence on natural light and the increased availability of glass led to more windows—and an expansion of those windows into doors. Because glass was fragile and expensive, it was installed in small panes with mullions in between. The mullions and door frames were typically made of wood or wrought iron for structural stability as well as for looks.
Above: Steel French doors by Portella Iron Doors in a dark bronze finish. Photograph via Portella Iron Doors of Austin, Texas.
Above: Symmetry at work: French doors are surrounded by divided glass windows in a 1927 apartment building in Sweden. The kitchen belongs to blogger Catarina Skoglund, who lives outside Göteborg. Want to Steal This Look?
What are the benefits of French doors?
In addition to adding a certain je ne sais quoi, the advantages of French doors include:
- Providing a visual bridge between indoors and out, or between adjoining rooms.
- Expanding your warm-weather living space by opening out to a patio, balcony, or garden.
- Letting the sunlight in without letting warmth escape (and in the summer months, without letting coolness escape).
- Expanding the sense of space in a room.
- Bringing natural light into an interior room or hall that doesn't have windows.
- Filling wide openings—and creating a flow—between rooms. And conversely, enabling adjoining rooms to be closed off from each other as needed, such as for noise or heating reasons.
Above: A sense of space is created in Butler Armsden Architects' remodel of a San Francisco William Wurster house with interior metal French doors that demarcate work and living space without cutting off light. Photograph by Eric Rorer via Butler Armsden.
Are there different types and styles of French doors?
Originally differentiated only by their number of panes, or lights, French doors are available in myriad styles and materials, ranging from single pane (called one light) to 10-light styles (2 panes by 5 panes) set in frames made of wood, steel, aluminum, and even fiberglass. Clear glass is most common, but in settings where some privacy is desired, opaque glass may be used.
French doors are traditionally hinged. You can also find sliding, louvered (folding), and pivot French doors—there is some debate about whether these variations are really French doors, but regardless of semantics, they're options worth considering.
Above: Single-pane French doors are an integral ingredient in this cottage extension in Dublin by Wall Morris Design—winner of the 2013 Gardenista Considered Design Awards for best outdoor room. Photograph by Derek Robinson.
Above: Rustic 15-light French doors (3 panes by 5 panes) warm a cool palette in Juli and John Baker's Canadian country house—see Canada's Most Beautiful Guest Cottage. Photograph via Kitka.
Where can I use French doors?
Exterior: Introduced to provide access to outdoor living spaces, exterior French doors are most commonly used as openings onto gardens, patios, and balconies. Because of security concerns—visibility and easy break-ins—they have not historically been common for front doors. The advent in recent years of tougher and better insulated glass has changed that.
Interior: French doors can be used effectively as dividers between linked rooms, especially in cases where privacy is not a concern. We've also seen French doors in nontraditional locations, such as in bathrooms as shower surrounds.
Above: An indoor/outdoor marble-clad shower by Malcolm Davis Architecture has a French door fitted with obscure frosted glass for privacy. See Davis's Expert Advice: 10 Essential Tips for Designing a Bathroom.
Above: A luxe bath designed by Stiff + Trevillion of London features Arabascato marble and industrial, steel-framed French doors. See more at Glamorous Baths with Steel Factory Windows. Photograph by Kilian O'Sullivan.
Any tips for designing and installing French doors?
- Don't forget the door swing: French doors are available with either in-swing or out-swing fittings. Measure your space and plan accordingly.
- Consider the glass. If your doors get direct sunlight, think about tinted or coated options that will keep floors, furniture, and art from fading. Opaque glass is a good option in settings where you want light with privacy. And for exterior doors, double-paned or low-E (low emissivity) glass, which is coated with a heat-reflective material, is recommended for insulation.
- While old French doors are enticing for their looks (and, in the case of reclaimed doors, use of recycled materials), keep in mind that for exterior applications, new doors have better security, insulation, and durability.
- Exterior French doors should be fitted with weather stripping to keep the elements out.
- Doors with standard opening sizes can accommodate pre-hung French doors with ease. Openings in older houses, however, are anything but standard and customization may be required. We recommend consulting a professional.
- Consider the locks. Exterior French doors generally require a three-point system that locks the door to the head jamb and the sill for good security.
Above: A steel French entry door. Photograph via Portella Iron Doors.
What about the cost and sources?
French doors are more expensive than standard exterior sliding doors and basic solid interior doors. That said, prices are as variable as each setting. It depends on the specific doors you're considering—French doors may be more affordable than high-end architectural pivot doors, for example.
In terms of sources, architectural window manufacturers such as Pella, Marvin, and Andersen, offer a range of French doors. Reclaimed doors are available at architectural salvage suppliers. For metal French door sourcing, see our list of Steel Window and Door Fabricators.
Above: Remodelista editor Francesca Connolly's Galley Kitchen has a custom metal French door that lets in light, frames the space, and leads to an outdoor dining deck. For custom metalwork, Francesca recommends Product and Design Metalwork in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, in New York.
French Door Recap
Pros
- Brings natural light into rooms.
- Increases sense of space.
- Creates a visual connection between indoors and out, and between rooms.
- Lightweight.
Cons
- Requires floor space for opening.
- Provides minimal privacy.
- More expensive than sliding doors or basic, solid interior doors.
- More windows to clean.
Considering door options? Browse another Remodelista favorite: Sliding Barn Doors Used Indoors. And over at Gardenista, see 5 Favorites: Daring Red Doors.
For more remodeling advice, have a look at our previous Remodeling 101 posts.
N.B.: This post is an update; the original ran on July 17, 2014, as part of our Bastille Day issue.
More Stories from Remodelista