Choosing French Doors | The Essex Window Store

French doors have become increasingly popular over time. Dating as far back as the 17th century, they originated in France, hence the name. They were originally used as a floor-length, single window. Eventually, the single pane window had a wood frame added, and when mounted in pairs, they became French Windows. It soon became apparent that they could also be used as doors.

What are French Doors?

French doors feature two panels that open outwards or inwards. They are more commonly used at the rear of a property due to being glazed. They allow beautiful, uninterrupted views of the garden.

Back in the 17th century, symmetry was said to be extremely important in architecture and considered to be elegant.

We have since come a long way in glassmaking and construction techniques, resulting in various styles of French doors now being available. Each design is suited for several purposes.

Interior French Doors

The biggest concern of internal French doors is how much light they allow in. Most will agree that this is a huge benefit, especially for naturally dark rooms. It is only usually a problem if you have neutral colours. It can be difficult to absorb the light, leaving the room feeling a little bland. However, this can be simply resolved by changing your décor!

Exterior French Doors

Although exterior French doors have some of the same concerns as the interior doors, they are built to be strong, secure and energy-efficient. They will give you peace of mind that your property is as safe as possible, keeping unwanted guests out.

What is the difference between French Doors, Patio Doors and Sliding Doors?

Some people refer to French doors as Patio doors. This is likely to be because the large sliding panes open up onto the patio. With that said, any door that opens up onto a patio will be known as a patio door, regardless of the style.

A sliding door is named due to the method of how they close. They side along a track either alongside or within the wall.

What materials are French Doors made of?

French doors can be made out of almost anything. The most common is made from timber, aluminum or uPVC frames. The panels are made from a transparent material, which is usually shatter-resistant glass and plastics. Each material will result in various benefits.

uPVC French doors are secure, energy-efficient, hardwearing and weather-resistant. uPVC is usually double-glazed, providing a great source of keeping the heat in, but also keeping unwanted noise out.
Aluminium framed French doors are one of the strongest designs, and because of this, they are well suited as an exterior door. Aluminium is easy to maintain and is rustproof. They are slightly slimmer than uPVC doors and can be expected to last for a very long time with minimal maintenance.
A more traditional material used for French doors is Timber. They are exceptionally secure with multi-point locking mechanisms. They are popular inside properties and are used to separate rooms. An example would be when you want to separate a living and dining area.

Natural Lighting with French Doors

When choosing French doors, substituting a screen for some or all of the lites, you can guarantee a good quality of the airflow, keeping unwanted insects and pests out of your home. Frosted glass is also a popular choice.

Although frosted glass doesn’t allow you to see outside clearly, some designers will only install the frosted glass to eye-height, so you can still benefit from beautiful views.

Some French doors will have the option of integral blinds. They allow you to have control of how much natural light you let in, with minimum dusting needed. The other option is French doors with lites that open. It is similar to having a window built within the door. Perfect for letting in a little air!

Other French doors have side panels that are either opaque, clear or sometimes translucent. They are sturdy enough to incorporate cat flaps or dog doors.