French Doors 101

Part 1: The French Door – A Background Look

When it comes to style, few can compare to the allure of a French Door. It has been around for centuries, and yet it remains a highly popular option even with more modern alternatives around. Where did the French door come from and what makes it a favorite among homeowners? As its name implies, the French door originated from France, at the height of the renaissance period. The first French doors appeared during the early 17th century and its elegant look and functionality helped it become popular in England and other nearby countries in the years that followed.

The earlier versions of the French door were nothing more than windows reaching all the way to the floor for extra lighting (usually opening up to small balconies), but more modern versions feature panels specially designed to accommodate foot traffic. It’s because of that earlier design that is also called as a French window. Back then, the French door was exclusively used for balconies, but changes to home design eventually led to the French door being used in main entryways.

Trends in artistic design back then had a strong emphasis on geometric shapes, symmetry, and lighting. As a result, the first French doors were made of glass set on wood or wrought iron frames with ornate details. Today, many of the doors still use wood but more modern options have been developed, like vinyl, fiberglass, and composite materials, to provide French doors with stylish yet functional frames.

Did you know?

French doors are characterized by multiple panels. While these make the door look beautiful, their use is more borne out of necessity and practicality than an affinity for aesthetics. Why? Glass was fragile and expensive back in the day so it was installed in smaller panes separated by mullions. Today, technological advances have drastically improved glass used on French doors, not only making them stronger but more energy-efficient as well.

Part 2: Different French Door Variants

The French door has been around for hundreds of years, so it’s not surprising that it has evolved with the times, resulting in several variants of its own. Some of these variants excel as entry doors, while others are better suited for indoor use, but all are still overall charming as the French doors that they are.

Variants According to Purpose

• Interior French door – Exclusively seen inside the house, the interior French door is used to separate different parts of the home. Thanks to their glass design however, rooms don’t look cut off from each other. This French door is not exposed to the elements so it doesn’t suffer the usual wear and tear, making it last a while.
• Exterior French door – Where interior French doors connect rooms inside a home, exterior French doors connect indoor and outdoor spaces instead. They are popular as patio doors but will perform just as well when used as entry doors. Just like any exterior door, this French door is built to withstand various weather conditions, like intense sunlight, strong winds, and moisture from rain and snow. Improved glass and frame options today help in making exterior French doors more durable so they can easily weather the elements.

Variants According to Style

• Standard French door – This French door style is the most popular option available. Featuring two panels that either swing inward or outward, it’s simple to operate and complements a wide range of architectural styles.
• Pocket French door – This type of French door is great for areas where there’s not enough space for a standard French door to fully open, fitted with panels that slide into the wall.
• Bi-fold French door – For those who need extra space, but don’t want a sliding variant, a bi-fold French door is an excellent option. At first glance, the bi-fold French door looks quite similar to the standard variant, but it has two moving panels instead that are made of two smaller panels joined vertically by hinges.
• Sliding French door – This variant is similar pocket French door except its panels do not slide into a concealed “pocket.” Still, sliding French doors are best for areas where space constraints may be a problem.

Part 3: Key Advantages of French Doors

For a type of door that has been around for centuries, it’s easy to expect the French door to be out of fashion, left behind by more modern alternatives. However, it provides both aesthetic and functional benefits that it still manages to be one of the best door options available today. Specifically, the French door offers:

Timeless Style

Among all the types of doors, the French door easily ranks as one of the most attractive options out there. Whether it’s a traditional wood frame with stained glass or a minimalist, modern design with composite materials, the French door never fails to look good.

Extra Views

Staying true to its original purpose, the French door’s glass panels provides an impressive view, whether it’s looking out to the street or patio or even just indoors from, say, the living room to the dining area. This is what allows the door to connect different living spaces seamlessly.

Better Flow

Areas separated by a French door still feel connected and continuous because of all of that glass working to blur borders. This makes moving from area to area not feel disjointed, imparting a sense of openness to a home.

Natural light

With its glass panels, the French door easily lets in natural light, making it a great tool for anyone looking to make the most out of daylighting. Aside from creating the perfect atmosphere in a home, utilizing natural also lets you save on electricity as you have less need for artificial lighting during the day.

Excellent Ventilation

With great opening comes great ventilation capabilities. The wide frame of a fully-opened French door lets a lot of air in and provides stale indoor air a way out. This is particularly helpful during the summer as heat is given a way to escape, helping cool a home.

This wraps up our blog series about French doors. We hope learning about the basics provided you with a means of better appreciating what a French door can offer. Want to know more? Don’t hesitate to give your local contractor a call.