A french door is a door of light construction which has glass panes extending for most of its length. They are usually fitted as a pair instead of a single door, so if you were thinking 'so what are French doors?' now you know. You might also hear them called French windows.

Why is it called French door?

French doors are called as such because they originated in France during the 16th to 17th century. The French found that a window-like door which has glass panes extending for most of its length was perfect for introducing a sense of regularity, proportion and illumination. These characteristics were in keeping with the Renaissance architectural ideas that were popular in France at the time.

Why do people like French doors?

Available in either uPVC, timber or aluminium, there are plenty of great reasons why people choose French doors for their home, such as:

• With their wide-opening capacity, you can easily transition from your home to the garden, bringing the outside in on those warm summer days.
• As they come equipped with draught-resistant seals, Low-E glass, warm-edge spacer bars, and Argon filled glazed units, they retain plenty of heat in the home, which has a hugely positive impact on your home's energy efficiency.
• French doors open outwards, allowing you full use of your indoor space whilst flooding your home with light and air.
• Because of their classic design, they will dramatically improve the aesthetics of any room in the house that they're fitted.

What is the standard size for French doors?

A pair of French doors will generally be around 120cm, 150cm or 180cm wide, but if you opt to have sidelights, a pair of doors can be up to 300cm wide. However, standard sizes vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. In terms of height, they tend to be around 2100mm tall.

How much does it cost for French doors?

The cost of French doors will be affected by a number of factors, including:

• Material (uPVC, aluminium or timber)
• Design
• Finish
• Glazing (double or triple)
• Quality
• Performance
• Hardware
• Size

Are French doors easy to break into?

No, they're not. Like all of the door options we offer here at Everest, our French doors are loaded with excellent security features so they will keep your home incredibly secure. Everest doors have been tested to PAS24:2016 security standards and come fitted with multi-point, rust-free locks, securing the doors at multiple areas of the framework. The locking cylinders we use are also resistant to picking, drilling and bumping.

What's the difference between patio and French doors?

The main way that patio doors and French doors differ is in the way that they both open. Whilst French doors are operated via a hinge and open outwards, patio doors are slid to one side. In terms of design, French doors have a more traditional appearance, however, patio doors have a more modern design.

Which is best French or patio doors?

This will depend on your individual requirements. However, to help you find which is best for you, we've compared the two options in various aspects:

Cost

Generally speaking, French doors tend to be a little bit more expensive. This is because the hardware, mechanisms and manufacturing methods associated with patio doors are a little bit more cost-effective.

Frames

The framework on French doors is slightly wider than it is on patio doors. Therefore, patio doors allow slightly more natural light into the home. However, the difference in real terms between a set of patio doors and French doors of the same size is negligible.

Design

As previously mentioned, the design of French doors is more traditional, which means they suit period homes and other properties of that ilk. However, the more modern appearance of sliding patio doors makes them a great choice for contemporary homes. With that said, either option can be adapted to suit a range of architectural styles.

Opening

By sliding to one side, patio doors are a great way to maximise the use of your internal space. However, only half of the space that they take up can be open at one time. French doors, on the other hand, open outwards so they are restricted by their frames and nearby walls. Once open, however, you will have full access to the gap between the frames.

Size

We can fit patio doors that are up to 480cm wide, essentially creating a glass wall in your home. The wider the doors, the bigger the opening space too. However, French doors are considerably smaller. As mentioned earlier, they can be installed up to 180cm wide but if they have sidelights in their design, they can be as wide as 300cm.

Energy-efficient, ultra-secure French and patio doors from Everest

Whether you prefer sliding patio doors or French doors, either option is an excellent way to brighten up a room and move easily between the inside and outside of your home.