French Doors

Q: How do French doors latch?

French doors latch like a standard door, with a traditional lock and door handle. Double French doors can use a traditional latch where the doors meet and a barrel bolt as a top latch on one door. A sliding French door has a latch that connects it to the one side of the door frame.

French doors make a grand first impression with every step past their frame. Aluminium French doors and wooden French doors are the most traditional, but various design options and materials will make any room look more elegant than before. ArchiPro offers a wide range of different styles to match the aesthetic of every home or commercial building.

What Are French Doors?

French doors are used as both entry and interior entrances within a home or commercial space. They allow for privacy between the threshold of the entryway or other rooms within the home.

Advantages of French Doors

French doors have an unforgettable appearance that adds beauty to every front entrance or patio space. They add value to their homes by being more energy efficient and bringing in additional natural light. The different options offer easier access in and out of the room.

Types of French Doors

Entry

A set of French entry doors come in a range of sizes and styles to match any home or commercial business entrance. The variety of traditionally designed frames will match the proportions of any entrance.

Bi-fold

Bi-fold doors, also referred to as glass walls or folding glass entrances, are made up of multiple panes. The bi-fold follows the design of the hinged French doors to maximize the view between rooms by preventing obstruction from the panels.

Bi-fold dividers are versatile and secure, adding safety and style to the threshold of any home. Their frames can easily be folded up to minimize their space requirements.

Pivot

The pivot door rotates on a vertical axis, or a spindle, unlike the hinged entrance with hinges attached to the sides of the door on adjacent walls. The movement created by the pivot entrance is fluid and elegant.

The modern pivot hinge system allows the entrance to deviate from the measurements of a standard hinged entrance. This sleek design will add a tranquil atmosphere between the rooms.

Front

Front doors are more elaborate than interior entrances, with more customizable features to provide a grand entrance. They are commonly wooden or made with glass to withstand the exterior elements. The front entrance will make a grand first impression.

Hinged

Hinged doors have panels that are hinged from the side of their adjacent walls, allowing them to swing open and shut from the centre. Hinge-style panels are available as a single panel or side-by-side configuration for a full-frame.

Hinge panels can be glass, aluminium for a sleek, or uPVC. These are popular as either an in-swing or out-swing. Space availability and arrangement will determine the best fit.

Sliding

Sliding doors are generally made of large glass panels and sit on a weighted track to slide open and close easily. Their narrow frames cut down on the space required for the frame to allow a more energy-efficient and visually appealing design.

Natural light will easily filter into the room through the large glass panels. Sliding glass also provides easier access to the outside.

French Door Materials

Wooden, timber, and aluminium styles mimic the antique French door style, while glass or fibreglass French doors and vinyl French doors take on a modernization of the traditional home features. uPVC entrances are German-designed, thermally dynamic alternatives to the common style. Explore each material more in-depth:

Aluminium

Aluminium French doors come in a wide range of sizes and proportions to fit a variety of entryway frames. Their lightweight design is stylish, pairing well for either a traditional or modern home or commercial front.

Aluminium produces less sound and is strong and durable despite its lightweight. This simple material is easy to work with and maintain for a long-lasting charm.

Wooden

Wood is the most popular and energy-efficient option. Wooden French doors are a strong material that creates a traditional ambience, great for the interior.

Their finishing makes them weather-proof to prevent sustaining damage from the elements if used as a separator to the patio.

Timber

Only the finest quality timber is used for weather resistance for a traditional-styled entryway. This timber is part of a range of premium-selected options sourced from sustainable-yield forests.

Some timber French door options are ready for staining or painting. Other options are available upon request.

Glass

Standard glass French doors let in the most amount of natural light. They are not made entirely out of glass but have the glass surrounded by wood or fibreglass to reinforce stability.

Fibreglass is the strongest material for patio entrances. Glass is treated to be shatterproof to provide safety and security in the home and from the elements.

Modern

The modern French door style is comprised of some chrome or a matte black finish to complement the aesthetic of any home. Wooden, timber, and other traditional French door styles may not fit the modern aesthetic.

The modern system combines the minimalism of glass or aluminium with the access convenience of the traditional style.

uPVC

uPVC French doors are secure and thermally efficient because they are double glazed. This design keeps noise and heat from getting inside.

The German-designed uPVC units look the best paired with double-glazed windows. They come as the option of inward or outward opening.

Double Glazed French doors

Double glazed French doors are a stylish and practical addition to any home. They offer excellent insulation, noise reduction, and security benefits. The two panes of glass separated by a layer of gas provide superior thermal insulation, helping to keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer. French doors also allow for easy access to the outdoors and plenty of natural light.

Factors to Consider

The window-door hybrid of the French door adds natural lighting to any space and gives any home or office ease of access to the outside.

Each material and style will require a different amount of floor space depending on its functionality. An increased number of panels in the bi-fold will need more room when the panels are folded back.

Clear glass or aluminium panels will need to be shaded with blinds or drapes for privacy during the day when the sun is too bright or at night when the inside is visible.

Aluminium, wooden, timber, glass, modern, and uPVC French entrances all have unique features to offer any entryway and home interior.

Interior & Exterior French doors

Interior French doors offer a seamless flow between rooms, with multiple glass panes and wooden frames that allow natural light to filter through while maintaining privacy. Exterior French doors are larger, with double glazing for energy efficiency and security, and come in a range of materials, finishes, and hardware options.

Are French doors easy to break into?

A well-installed, good quality French door with a robust lock is secure, though you can add extra security by adding laminated glass, a French door security bar, and bolts at the top and base of the door.