French doors are a pair of glazed doors hinged at the outer edges that open from the middle, giving a wide clear opening without the track of a sliding door or the stack of a bifold. They suit openings roughly up to a couple of metres and work well where you want a traditional look and both doors fully open in summer. The main choices are which way they open, whether you add side panels, the frame material, the glass and the locks.
Here is how to work through those decisions so the doors suit the room and the garden.
Opening in or opening out
Outward-opening doors keep floor space free inside and seal tightly against the frame under wind pressure, which is why they are common in Scotland. They do need clear space on the patio and should have stays to stop them slamming. Inward-opening doors avoid garden furniture but swing into the room, so check radiators and furniture.
Side panels and wider openings
If the opening is wider than a comfortable pair of doors, fixed glazed side panels fill the gap and bring in more light without making each door leaf heavy. For very wide openings, bifold or sliding doors may suit better; our bifold vs sliding vs French doors comparison covers that choice.
Materials and finishes
- uPVC — warm, low upkeep and good value; available in white, foiled grey and woodgrain
- Aluminium — slimmer frames and more glass, wide powder-coat colours
- Timber — traditional character, needs periodic finishing
- Colour both sides or a colour outside with white inside
Glass, locks and thresholds
Door glass must be toughened or laminated safety glass. Low-E, gas-filled units keep the room warm. Look for multi-point locking on the main door with shoot bolts on the second leaf, so both leaves lock top and bottom.
A low threshold makes stepping out easier and helps with prams and wheelchairs, but it needs careful detailing to keep rain out on exposed walls. Ask how the threshold will be sealed and drained.
Fitting French doors into an existing opening
Replacing a window with French doors means lowering the opening, which can involve the wall below, the lintel and sometimes a building warrant; replacing existing doors like for like is simpler. Every set we fit is made to measure after a free survey, measured by the person who will fit it, with a clear written quote.
Common questions
Outward-opening is common in Scotland because the doors seal tighter under wind pressure and save room space, but inward-opening can suit a small patio.
Yes. Fixed side panels widen the glazed area without making the doors heavier.
With multi-point locks on the main leaf and shoot bolts on the second, they are secure. Laminated glass adds further protection.
Yes, made to measure. Call 07538 882579 to arrange a free survey.
Want a straight answer on your own windows or doors?
DM Installations fits and repairs windows and doors across Central Scotland — Cumbernauld, Glasgow, Falkirk, Stirling and the surrounding towns. Free survey, written quote, and an honest answer on whether you need a repair or a replacement.
Related guides
Bifold vs Sliding vs French Doors
The three ways to open the back of a house onto the garden, and which one suits your opening, budget and habits.
Cost guidesBifold and Patio Door Cost
Fitted prices for bifolds, sliders and French doors by width, plus the structural and finishing costs people forget to budget for.
When to call a proDoor Lock and Security Problems
Failing gearboxes, snappable cylinders and the cheap upgrades that make the biggest difference to door security.