In the first part of the series, we learned about door replacement – from knowing when to replace your door to things to consider in selecting a new one. Now it’s time to discuss the French door and how viable a replacement it is for your home.
French Doors: The Old & The New
As you may expect, French doors have a rooted history in France. But they actually take their major features – such as an emphasis on light and symmetry – from Italian Renaissance architecture.
Most French door design and development techniques are still rooted in a time before electricity, and in fact, they still influence these doors’ popularity today. Because they are great sources of natural light and air, French doors can be used as both interior and exterior doors to link two rooms, such as an adjacent living and dining room. They also naturally tie indoor and outdoor spaces like balconies, patios and gardens, together.
They are traditionally hinged, opening with either an outswing or an inswing. Nowadays, especially for patio doors, French doors can come in the sliding or swinging variety, with the look of a traditional hinged door but the functionality of the more modern door types. Similarly, the French door has evolved to incorporate materials like steel and fiberglass that can provide better insulation and give a more modern aesthetic.
The Appeal of French Doors
French doors can be the perfect addition to your home. Unlike solid doors, they can transform a space with natural light and views.
- Light. The major advantage of French doors is their ability to add light and, as a result, introduce a brighter, more expansive feel to a room.
- Design. Lightweight and “light-generous,” French doors are a design feature in themselves. With the added versatility in their material manufacture, you have quite a range of options to choose from.
- Function. Whether you’re planning on using French doors as entry, interior or patio doors, they are perfect for blending two areas together. They create a smooth transition between rooms or between an interior and exterior, creating an increased sense of space in your home.
In the last part of our series, we will discuss the ways you can build on the energy efficiency of your French doors.
