Are you looking to add a luxurious and beautiful touch to your home? If so, you’ll want to consider French doors as the perfect way to do it. These elegant dividers make for an eye-catching addition that can enhance any space (whether interior or exterior).
Not only do they allow light in, but they provide more space than traditional doors and offer plenty of style points along with energy cost savings (in some cases) — something most UK homebuyers want when purchasing a home.
This quick guide will look at why French doors are the ideal choice for your next home improvement project, from improved airflow and energy efficiency to greater aesthetic appeal and timelessness.
What Are French Doors?
Often made of wood or metal, French doors are widely composed of multiple glass window panes within a hinged frame that opens outwards.
These types of doors are unique because they function as windows and doors. This allows essential light into a room and creates an open-concept space. That’s why many homeowners place them in rooms with increased natural light.
French doors are great if you’re looking for enhanced lighting in your living room or kitchen. Ideally, you’d install them where they can be connected to a patio, balcony, or outdoor garden area.
With their unique design and timeless, French doors make any interior space instantly more elegant, allowing for a charming balance between indoor and outdoor areas.
This initially might not sound like something you’d need in the colder climate of Hertfordshire, but just bare with us. We’ll discuss the benefits of French doors below (yes, even for those in colder climates).
What is the Standard French Door Height in the UK?
As you can see, French doors are a classic addition to any home, offering the perfect blend of open-air ventilation and privacy. But will they fit into your home in the UK?
In the UK, the standard French door height is 79.5 inches tall with a width of 72 inches, but they can be as small as 48 inches or as large as 120 inches.
What is the Standard French Door Width in the UK?
Generally, these doors range from 30 to 72 inches wide, though some companies may offer wider options. Additionally, a French door with sidelights can reach up to 118 inches (9.84ft) perfectly if you want to provide an expansive view out of those doors.
If you’re looking for popular standard sizes specifically, then 1200mm, 1500mm, and 1800mm are generally quite common. Knowing these dimensions should help you narrow your search to get the perfect French doors for your space.
Benefits of French Doors
Browse through Pinterest, and you’ll immediately agree that French doors can be a beautiful addition to any living area. Not only do they look fantastic, but they come with various benefits that make them an excellent choice. If you’re having a hard time justifying the investment of buying new doors, check out the benefits of getting French doors.
Natural Light
Installing exterior French doors is a fantastic way to add much-needed natural light to any room in your home. Whether you’re looking to create an aesthetically pleasing entrance between the living room and kitchen or brighten up a study nook with a single glass pane French door, the possibilities are endless.
Furthermore, French doors are available with inward or outward hinges, depending on your house’s layout. They can be made with or without grille patterns — all designed to boost natural outdoor illumination.
Additionally, you can select from two-panel, three-panel, and four-panel styles if you’re looking for something more exquisite to make a statement. If enhanced natural light is your goal, though, you’ll want to focus on incorporating more glass panels.
Aesthetic Appeal
Are you choosing a new front door?
Installing French doors is an excellent choice for anyone looking to enhance the outside aesthetic of their home. Not only will these doors look beautiful in various styles of homes, but their slim frames also give the illusion of space, adding depth and making a room appear larger than it may be.
Besides adding aesthetics and practicality, French doors provide an extra layer of security for your home as they are typically made from wood or metal, both sturdier than windows.
Overall, the versatility of French doors means they come in many different styles, sizes, and colours. This makes it easy to choose the perfect design that complements your existing decor perfectly.
Energy Efficient
Not only will the double panes of glass provide a chic and modern aesthetic look, but they can also make your home more energy-efficient. That’s because the double planes drastically increase their insulation.
As a homeowner in the UK, you no longer have to worry about warm air escaping your house during winter. Likewise, you can forget cool air coming in during summer. With beautiful French doors, those two common issues become nonexistent.
Custom Designs
French doors can be a great way to divide a room without compromising on natural light or making the space feel small. For example, installing interior French doors can easily create two distinct living spaces in your dining area and kitchen while still allowing you to feel like you’re in one big room.
You can also add French doors to your master bedroom if you prefer having an open layout. Doing so will allow lots of natural light rather than closing off both rooms. Or, install them in your television or media rooms to minimise noise from activities in other areas.
Regardless of what you’re looking for, it’s easy to customise the look of French doors. This is true whether you’re using them for interior or exterior doors.
Enhanced Functionality
Finally, French doors are functional. They create an effective barrier between two separate spaces, providing an easy way to keep out noise but let in light. On top of that, they can improve the look and function of your property with the following exterior benefits:
- Variety
- Accessibility
- Customisation options
Plus, with their attractive yet simple design, professionally installed French doors will instantly make your home look more polished and attractive.
French Door Installation: Should You DIY?
If you’ve been dreaming of installing sleek French doors in your home for years, it can be tempting to take on this project yourself to save money. However, it’s best to leave the work to the professionals regarding luxury door installation, such as French doors.
Not only are these doors more expensive and require more skill to assemble effectively, but incorrect installation can create many problems. DIYing may be a great way to save money, get creative, and transfer skills from project to project. However, French door installations should always be left to experienced professionals.
Contracting the help of professional window and door installers will guarantee you peace of mind and maximum long-term performance when using your new set of French doors.
Tips for Buying New Doors
Before you buy doors for your home, there are a few tips to keep in mind to ensure you make the best decision. Whether or not you opt for French doors, keep these buying tips in mind.
Check the Security Rating
When buying a new door, you must ensure you get the best product possible. Check the security rating of the door.
- Are there extra locks or protection mechanisms?
- How durable is the material?
- Is it fireproof?
Asking these questions and double-checking the door’s security rating will guarantee a secure and safe door that can last for years. Remember, the best doors are the ones that protect you and your family.
Consider the Threshold Options
If you want your door to seal for insulation and weather-proofing properly, then you must pick the right threshold. Generally speaking, there are three main threshold types:
- Compression strip thresholds
- Rabbeted thresholds
- Sill-mounted thresholds
Consider whether or not you have heavy traffic in the doorway and what climate conditions prevail in your area when selecting the best doors for your home.
Factor in Energy Efficiency
Not every French door offers the same level of energy efficiency. So, be sure to research this factor if this is important to you.
Not only does selecting one with strong insulation help keep your home comfortable in any season, but it can also save you significant cash on monthly utility bills.
Customise Your French Doors
Customising your French doors can be a great way to add personality and style to your home. From glass panels to custom handles, you want to select features that go with the look of your home.
You can choose materials that match other accent pieces or furniture throughout your home, making it look like a part of the house’s original design. Regardless of what you’re looking for, don’t be afraid to customise your new doors. After all, that’s part of the beauty of having French doors.
Design the Best Doors
Interested in seeing how French doors might look in your home? Our door designer tool makes it easy to design the perfect French door for your home.
This unique tool allows you to customise door styles and window configurations before deciding on the best door suited to your needs. Additionally, you can browse different door materials, colours, finish options, sizes, and more.
With this helpful door designer tool, you can rest assured you’ll get an exquisite door made with quality materials that will last for years. Click here to design your new French doors now.