“A Guide to French Doors – All You Need to Know about French Doors” August 10, 2022 - by Sohrab Vaziri

A French door is more than just an entrance point. It is an elegant way to allow natural light to your home and has more benefits than?just their beauty. A French door refers to any door with glass panels throughout its length. They are commonly used as double doors for aesthetic reasons but are also used as a single door to make a beautiful entrance. French doors are the top patio door options if you want a traditional look. They also make for a classy addition to any bedroom or office adding an eye-catching feature within your home.

History of French Doors

French doors originated in France during the 17th century, then made way to Great Britain by the end of the century and have been an integral part of French and British architecture landscape ever since. Later on, French doors spread through North America, and they were particularly successful the bourgeois houses of New York City. Americans continue to call them “French” because the word holds a certain prestige and character!

Highly influenced by Roman architecture of the Renaissance period, French doors were initially used as windows that reached to the floor and lead to balconies and were tall enough to let a person pass through them. The Renaissance architecture is focused on symmetry, proportion, and geometry and the design of French doors fits perfectly within this criteria. ?The main purpose of using French doors was to allow more natural light in the home for a longer period of the day and additionally admit natural light to hallways that had no windows.?Over centuries, French doors found their way from the upper stories of the home to the ground floor where, today, they continue to add light and appeal. French doors are now included in homes and offices, giving access to courtyards and gardens. They are a great choice for architects who want to create an atmosphere of spaciousness with a sense of history.

Benefits of French Doors

1.?????Aesthetically Beautiful

Whether your home is traditional, modern, or rustic, French doors can work in your space.?French doors are the perfect solution for adding beauty and openness to a bedroom, an office, or a living area. The beauty comes from the proportions and symmetry and because these doors have glasses, they create a sense of spaciousness and allow for better views. French doors now come in many styles, such as sliding and louvered French doors that offer space-saving design possibilities.

2. Allowing Natural Light in Rooms

French doors can increase the amount of natural light in your home without requiring expensive window installation. They can brighten an area by allowing light from an adjacent room or hallway to enter. A single French door is ideal for smaller spaces, while double French doors that meet in the middle open up your space. Moreover, these doors can stand alone or be used in conjunction with sidelights for increased natural light or airflow.

3. Energy Efficiency

Modern French doors offer design options that ensure better home insulation and enhanced energy efficiency. Similar to all glass doors, French doors can bring in an incredible amount of natural light which adds heat to the room in cold weather. They also allow for increased ventilation which can help with cooling down the room on warm summer evenings. French doors come in highly energy-efficient and weather-resistant designs. Most are manufactured using dual pane glass that is suitable for local climate. Additional glazing can also prevent losing energy.?If the glass panels in your French doors are double glazed, they can offer decent thermal efficiency for your home which will not only cut down on heating costs but will also leave your home feeling cozier and more comfortable.

4. Connecting Rooms

French doors can create a dramatic impact on your home. French doors surely offer more versatility than an open archway or a standard door between two rooms would. When installed on the exterior, French doors may open onto patios, courtyards, gardens, or a pool to create a sense of continuity between the indoors and the outdoors.

Types of French Doors

French doors can made out of wood, metal, vinyl, or fiberglass combined with glass panels. One of the most common choices when it comes to French doors is to use wood doors. These are great options because wood is strong and can provide a traditional ambiance for interior design. Here’s a list of different types of French doors:

a.??????Inward or outward swing hinged French doors

b.??????Sliding French doors

c.??????Bifold French doors

d.??????French pocket doors

e.??????French patio doors

f.???????French sliding patio doors

g.??????French closet doors

h.??????French single doors

i.????????French double doors