Have you ever seen a kitchen or a living room that is perfectly lit by the natural light of the sun? How do these homes allow just the right amount of sunlight in? It turns out that this look is achieved by using a certain type of door known as a “French Door”.
What Exactly Is a French Door?
French Doors replace the center of the door with one or more glass-pane windows instead of wood. These windows usually extend for most of its length. This makes them much different from normal doors because they allow more natural light in through these windows. The windows can be either opaque or see-through, and they can be used for both interior and exterior doors as well. Whether inside or outside, these doors offer a dynamic and elegant way to open and improve the appeal of a space.
So Why Are They Called French Doors?
I’m sure you can guess the obvious answer here is that they come from France. While this is definitely true, it doesn’t quite provide the full story. You see, the roots of French doors can be traced back to the 16th and 17th century when France was at war with Italy. After French victories, when they moved into the new territory, they brought along with them Renaissance artworks as well as some Renaissance architectural ideas.
The Renaissance style focused on proportion and symmetry, and placed great emphasis on light. The French were quite fond of Renaissance aesthetics, so they incorporated this form and pattern into their doors. The French discovered that a window-like door – with glass panes extending for most of its length – provides a perfect sense of regularity, proportion and lighting. This was a great development for the time, since humans had yet to discover how to generate electricity in their homes. Even by the day, a house may still have been very dimly lit. French doors and windows were seen as the perfect solution for this problem. And as is traditional for Renaissance style, they also attempt to provide a sense of elegance and beauty to the home.
So Are French Doors Right for Me?
The answer to this question is entirely dependent on how much you like the aesthetic, as well as how much you value the extra light in your space. First, exterior French doors open up to the outside and can create fluidity between two contrasting spaces. For example, with French Doors you can see your outdoor patio or deck, along with the beauty of nature, from inside your home. The incoming sunlight can also make a dull room or hallway seem vibrant. If your home does not have a patio, do not worry because interior French doors are quite common as well.
In fact, interior French doors are a stylish way to create some privacy and security without sacrificing the visual aesthetic of your home. These doors will typically be placed at the entryways of the dining room, kitchen or living room.
But Are They As Safe As Normal Doors?
Despite their open and stylish appearance, French doors are just as secure as the average door. Often built with hurricane-resistant or impact safety glass, these doors can withstand the direct strike of a hammer. On top of using sturdy glass, manufacturers like Simpson and Therma-Tru create doors out of sturdy materials such as fiberglass in a faux wood finish, or premium wood. These same manufacturers then clad exterior doors with metal or fiberglass skin to prevent deterioration from wear and tear due to weather. This ensures that your home and family are safe from both home invasion and Mother Nature.
However, if you are not convinced that this is enough to ward off intruders, you have a few more options. You can add more security without sacrificing appeal by using elongated brass, chrome or steel latch plates. If that is still not enough you can add hinges that are 3 or more inches long. (Longer hinges means longer screws.) Lastly, you may choose to install multipoint lock hardware. This hardware offers a locking mechanism that latches to both the door(s) and the frame(s) in multiple locations, rather one simple twisting lock that only attaches in one place. All of these options will make your door(s) far more difficult to break down.
In addition to being safe and secure, French doors are extremely energy efficient. Since French doors open inward or outward and not along a track like a normal sliding glass door, there is a much lower chance that air will get in or out. In addition to controlling what air gets in or out, they can also control what light gets in as well. By using energy efficient glass inserts they can prevent harmful UV rays from getting in while still lighting up a room without the use of electricity. Both of these things alone will save you money throughout every part of the year.
Will French Doors Work in My Existing Home?
The easiest way to install French Doors is to replace a pre-existing set of double windows. French doors come in varying shapes and sizes, so replacing a standard size pre-existing door is also a common option. Since they are usually no more expensive than normal doors, installing French doors can be a cost-effective way to boost your home’s appeal. You can also get French Doors custom-made from a manufacturer to fit a larger or smaller space that is not a standard size. While you can expect to pay about 50-90% more for this option, it is worth it for many families due to the increase in control it gives them over their home space. And the best news is that depending on your home’s location, you can usually get most of this cost back instantly in home value.
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