If you dream of a door that would go perfectly with an elegant, chic interior design, the French door is the way to go. Its characteristic style is timeless and, in addition, the multiple panes of glass let plenty of light in the room.
What are French doors?
French doors are usually double, light-construction doors with panes of glass extending from the top to the bottom (or, in some models, to the middle part). Between the panes, decorative muntin bars are placed. The glazing stretching across the door makes it look sleeker and more elegant. With such a door, any room or building facade will seem brighter and delicate. You can use french doors as exterior, interior, or patio doors.
Traditionally, French doors had clear glass panes and white muntin bars, but nowadays, it is also possible to find one with muntin bars in other colours. The panes can be made of either milk or transparent glass.
Few words about the history of French doors
This type of door gained popularity during the Renaissance era, when people paid much attention to proportion, symmetry, and light. French doors with their muntin bars dividing the panes into perfect squares and the glass letting in tons of light were perfectly in keeping with the trends of the Renaissance. They were the height of fashion in many European countries, but, interestingly, the very idea originated in Italy. After winning the war with Italy, the French brought many Renaissance works, as well as architectural inspirations, back home – including what today we call the French door.
A French door can be a great choice for your house for many reasons, including the fact that it:
- visually enlarges the space,
- lets in plenty of natural light,
- adds to the elegance of the interior,
- has a unique style,
- is an ideal way of dividing any space, for instance to separate the kitchen from the living room or dining room,
- facilitates ventilation,
- is available in a variety of sizes, shapes, colours, and patterns,
The only disadvantages of a French door are that they require more space than a single door and that they can make it easier for strangers to look inside your house.
Will a French door look good in any room?
Although French doors are undoubtedly beautiful and elegant, they won’t go well with any interior design. This type of door is, however, the perfect match for any room decorated in classic, glamour, or shabby chic style. French doors without muntin bars can also nicely complement modern interiors. If you opt for black, solid frames, a French door can even look good in an industrial loft. In some countries, such as the UK, the United States or Canada, French doors are often used as entrance doors. They can also work perfectly as patio doors.
What are French doors made of?
Originally, French doors were made of three raw materials: wood, glass, and iron. Today, however, the choice is far wider: aluminium and PVC can also be used. Choose the option that best satisfies your needs, but keep in mind that timber, albeit costly, is more eco-friendly, solid, durable, and has better acoustic and thermal properties.
Price of French doors – London
The cost of a French door depends on a number of factors, including its overall size, the type of materials used, and the number and placement of muntin bars. This is definitely not the cheapest type of door, but it does have numerous advantages, which make it worth the price. If you have enough space, a cosy patio or a garden and want to achieve a remarkable effect and impress all of your guests, French doors are the option you simply must consider.