Is it time to say good-bye to the obstructionist solid door and introduce some more light into your life? And new glass technologies mean that security and insulation concerns of the past are in many cases outdated.
French doors, painted the same color as the walls, in On the Market: A Historic House Reimagined for a Modern Family in Stroud, England.
Exactly what are French doors?
French doors, also known as French windows, are doors of varying sizes that are composed of panels of glass. They traditionally (but not always) come in pairs and are hinged, with either an in-swing or out-swing.
Who invented French doors?
No individual can take credit, but French doors have a history rooted in France.
French doors with a lighter feel, in a New York City flat.
What are the benefits of French doors?
In addition to adding a certain je ne sais quoi, the advantages of French doors include:
In their remodeled Pasadena bungalow, fashion designers Momo Suzuki and Alexander Yamaguchi replaced single doors and windows with French doors, like these in the airy bedroom, to connect indoors and out.
Are there different types and styles of French doors?
Originally differentiated only by their number of panes, or lights, French doors are available in myriad styles and materials, ranging from single pane (called one light) to 10-light styles (2 panes by 5 panes) set in frames made of wood, steel, aluminum, and even fiberglass.
Clear glass is most common, but in settings where some privacy is desired, opaque glass may be used.
Slim, aluminum-framed glass doors fit in even the tightest of spaces, as seen at one end of a narrow kitchen; see Kitchen of the Week: A Designer’s Own Ikea Hack Kitchen in Provence, Before and After.
Exterior:
Introduced to provide access to outdoor living spaces, exterior French doors are most commonly used as openings onto gardens, patios, and balconies. The advent in recent years of tougher and better insulated glass has changed that.
Interior:
French doors can be used effectively as dividers between linked rooms, especially in cases where privacy is not a concern.
Photograph by Kilian O’Sullivan.
A luxe bath designed by Stiff + Trevillion of London features Arabascato marble and industrial, steel-framed French doors.
What about the cost and sources?
French doors are more expensive than standard exterior sliding doors and basic solid interior doors. Reclaimed doors are available at architectural salvage suppliers.
Remodelista co-founder Francesca Connolly’s galley kitchen has a custom metal French door that lets in light, frames the space, and leads to an outdoor dining deck.
Cons
Traditional French doors lead to a north-facing balcony off of a Brooklyn townhouse. See the full project in Brooklyn Makeover: A Homey Townhouse with a Modern Garret.