French Doors

French doors — also known as double doors — can beautifully transform your home. Those with glass panels let in natural light and provide a view of the outdoors. Not only are they elegant, but they are very functional — they allow you to open up your house when needed, whether you need to bring large furniture through the doors or have a spacious entry point during friendly gatherings. They are very durable and have been designed to withstand the wear and tear of daily use. New entry systems are fully customizable with options for different colours, glass designs, and grills to suit your home’s style. Centennial’s French doors are a beautiful solution to provide you with improved energy efficiency and insulation with reduced maintenance.

Features

The jamb is the main support for an entry system.

• Acts as the frame for the slab and sidelites
• The transitional component between the entry system and your home

Ensure the opening is level, square, and plumb.

Low Root Pan Head Screws

Centennial’s low root pan head screws are customized for door installation.

• Distributes pressure evenly on frames
• Allows for expansion and contraction during seasonal changes

Maintain the efficiency of your entry system.

Cedar Shims

Premium cedar shims keep doors level, square, and plumb.

• Pre-engineered for consistency of shape and size
• Contains natural oils to repel moisture

Feel your doors operate the same as they did the day they were installed!

Forged Brass Hardware

Solid forged brass Centennial hardware is heavier and stronger than aluminum or plated steel hardware.

• Offers increased security
• Allows for smooth operation

Choose from over 100 style and colour combinations!

The skin is the exterior of the slab and is made of steel.

• Steel slabs have a smooth finish
• Fibreglass slabs have a woodgrain texture

Choose the style that suits your home!

Stiles and Rails

Stiles and rails form the internal frame of the slab.

• Stiles run vertically along the sides
• Rails run horizontally along the top and bottom

Keep your door straight and resist warping.

Related Items

Fibreglass Entry Door Systems

Centennial’s beautiful, premium high density fibreglass doors are strong, versatile, and resist warping.

Steel Entry Door Systems

Centennial’s steel entrance doors are extremely durable with galvanized steel that provides added rust resistance.

Garden Doors

Dramatically change the look of your home with elegant yet durable garden doors.

Vinyl Sliding Patio Doors

Our sliding patio doors are made from high-quality vinyl, which helps control your home’s temperature without compromising natural light.

Rick & Renee Scotland, ON

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between French and garden doors?

Garden and French doors are both types of entry systems, meaning they lead from the exterior of your home to the inside. The main difference is where the hinges are located and how they operate. Garden doors are hinged in the centre and come with a rolling screen door. They have one operational panel and a stationary panel that cannot be opened. French doors are hinged at the sides. They have one operational panel and one stationary panel; however, the stationary panel can be opened by releasing the locking mechanism.

Are French doors energy efficient?

Upgrading to new, ENERGY STAR® certified models can help to dramatically increase your home’s energy efficiency, as older French doors can be a significant source of heat loss in your home. For the highest energy ratings, choose systems that do not have glass; the more glass surface, the lower the energy rating. Keep in mind that new sealed glass units can be far more energy efficient than older styles, meaning that you can achieve higher ratings for doors with glass doorlites today than you could in the past.

Where in my home should I install French doors?

Exterior French doors are a great choice for large entryways where you are looking to make a grand statement. They work well on both the front and back of homes and allow natural light to flow into the living space when ordered with full glass doorlites. They are available in both steel and fibreglass and, depending on the material you choose, can be coated in one of 29 standard colours or one of four woodgrain stains.

The French Steel ™ Company – Steel Doors and Windows Manufacturer

Create your perfect wall of light. Trust the strength, style, and efficiency of steel windows and doors from The French Steel Company.

Steel Doors

Steel Windows

Thermally Broken

Hardware

Enjoy natural light streaming into your living room, kitchen, or workspace. Beautiful steel windows offer larger glass sizes than traditional wood or even aluminum windows. And they last a lifetime.

Beautiful. Elegant. Strong. Subtle. Handcrafted steel can transform any professional or living space into a functional work of art.

The French Steel Company is the industry leader in bespoke design, flawless manufacturing, turnkey installation, and professional servicing of architectural steel windows and doors. Our experienced team of designers, installers, and steel experts can inspire your next project or renovation. And our 15-year track record of unparalleled service will give you the peace of mind to know that your steel windows and doors will be handled with professionalism and dedication. We pride ourselves on being the industry leader in the custom design, manufacturing, installation, and servicing of architectural steel windows and doors.

You are at the center of The French Steel Company’s collaborative, client-focused design process. We’ll work together to ensure your ideas serve as the inspiration for your final product. And as a full-service supplier, you’ll get a true white-glove experience as we create lasting beauty for your built environment, together.

Steel Doors

The French Steel Company goes beyond the catalogue. As a leading steel door manufacturer and steel window manufacturer, The French Steel Company offers design customizations to ensure that your steel French door design is uniquely… you. From custom faux-finishes to textured glass, hardware selection and energy efficiency options, we are the steel door manufacturer and steel window manufacturer that designs with you in mind.

Our team is the best of the best – and we have the certifications and training to prove it. Our certifications from AAMA, NAMI, the Florida Building Commission, and more give you the peace of mind to know you’ll have the right materials installed the right way… every time. This empowers us to complete your project in-house from start to finish.

If you want custom steel doors in Atlanta, Boston, or Washington, DC, call (202) 609-9835 or contact The French Steel Company today!

Steel Windows

You deserve a wide range of options for your next project design. That’s why our unique custom steel window manufacturing is perfect for a remodel or new construction. We provide beautiful and functional solutions from chilled wine cellars to privacy windows and towering steel window walls to custom pivot doors. Our architectural steel windows combine aesthetic brilliance with functional utility. For example, our thermally broken steel windows and glass doors offer precise temperature control and energy-saving capabilities, making them perfect for a stunning wine cellar. The French Steel Company is one of the few steel window manufacturers to provide high-tech energy-saving designs for your home or business that are as impressive as they are efficient.

Want the best architectural steel windows in Washington, DC? Call (202) 609-9835 or contact us today!

Get Your Steel Doors & Windows From the Best Steel Door Manufacturer

What makes us different? The French Steel Company is a full-service steel door and window manufacturer. That means, from the moment you contact us to the grand reveal of your finished dream project, we take care of every consideration. You get the production, professionalism, and efficiency of a large steel door and steel window manufacturer, with the customization and attention to detail of a local artisan. Our handcrafted, architectural steel doors and windows are designed, manufactured, painted, glazed, shipped, assembled, and installed with operating handle hardware by our trained craftsmen. From our sales department to installation crews, each member of our team is trained to offer expert knowledge of our metal windows and doors while providing a first-class customer experience. At The French Steel Company, we attend to your every need so that your satisfaction is guaranteed.

We create beautiful, custom steel doors and windows for commercial and residential properties anywhere within the United States. Call us today at (202) 609-9835 to find the perfect doors and windows for you!

What are French Doors? A Review of the Types, Costs & Security

French doors can bring a certain level of charm, elegance and class to your home. They’re most often fitted at the back of a house to create a generous walkway out into the garden, helping to bring the outside in.

They might sound like patio doors but that label has grown over the years to include pretty much any type of door that leads out into the garden. So in this guide, we’re going to look at what sets French doors apart from patio doors as well as what the installation will involve and how much they cost.

What’s the Difference Between French Doors and Patio Doors?

Patio doors used to exclusively refer to sliding doors that led out into the garden or patio area. Nowadays, the term has grown to refer to all types of doors that lead from the back of the house out to the garden and can sometimes include French doors.

Traditionally, French doors are two identical doors side-by-side that open outwards (in most cases) to create a spacious route into the garden. This can be particularly beneficial to smaller homes or properties with small gardens as they help to expand the space.

As patio doors are sliding, you won’t be able to walk through the whole space as the part being slid open will overlap with a fixed side, partially blocking the space.

Types of French Doors

Now that we know how French doors are different from patio doors, we can look at the 3 types of French doors that are available.

External (French patio doors)

External French doors lead outside, most commonly into the garden. The two doors will normally open outwards but there are some that can open inwards. They feature large glass panels which allow natural light in to brighten your home.

Interior

Fitting double French doors between two rooms in the home is a great way of creating more space, allowing more light in and stylishly dividing two rooms. Internal French doors look much like exterior ones, with two doors (mostly made up of glass) that swing open to create a larger living space.

Sliding

Sliding French doors have a classic design that holds a certain charm. They look much like the exterior and interior French doors but rather than swinging open, the two doors slide apart to create a generous amount of room to pass through into the garden. Either side of the sliding doors are fixed panes of glass that the doors overlap when open.

Wondering how that differs from sliding patio doors? Sliding patio doors tend to have 2 sides, one that remains fixed and another that can slide parallel to it, which creates an opening to the outside. These tend to be used more as another doorway to and from the home as you’ll only be able to pass through half of the space that the doors fill.

How Much do French Doors Cost?

The price of French doors will differ depending on their size, the material and whether you want double glazing or not. You can get an idea of how much French doors are likely to cost, based on the material you’d like, with the table below:

Material	Estimated Price
uPVC	£725 – £1,400
Aluminium	£1,050 – £1,125
Wood	£900+
Composite	£800 – £2,000

These prices are estimates and don’t include the cost of installation, which can vary depending on who carries out the work. We highly recommend getting at least 3 quotes from different installers to increase your chances of finding the best deal.

Best Materials for French Doors

uPVC

In most cases, uPVC is the cheapest material for French doors but is an excellent way of insulating your home. It should only require a small amount of maintenance during what’s likely to be a lengthy lifetime.

While it does have some excellent properties, it’s not always considered the most aesthetically pleasing material. However, uPVC is commonly used for window frames so if the windows around your home are made out of it then the French doors should match well.

Composite

Composite French doors are extremely strong and will help to make your home more secure. It’s made out of a mixture of glass reinforced polymers, uPVC edging and timber cores.

Aluminium

You probably want to install your French doors knowing that they’ll last a good few years and you won’t find a better material than aluminium. It’s strong and durable so it’s able to withstand corrosion and has excellent insulation properties.

Again, despite its practical qualities and the fact that it can be coated in different colours, wooden French doors are still the most popular.

Timber

Timber French doors are the most popular thanks to their visual appearance. You can choose from either softwood which is better suited to indoor installations, while hardwood can last for a longer time. They can even be painted to suit the decor of your home.

Are French Doors Secure?

By their very nature, French doors are meant to be open and welcoming which might make you think that they’re not the most secure but that’s not the case. As long as they’ve been installed correctly then French doors can be as secure as any other door that leads into the home.

To help make your French doors as secure as possible, you can take some extra measures:

• Install double glazing rather than single
• Cover the handles with security bars at night or when you’re not home
• Have laminated glass fitted which adds extra protection

What Does a French Door Fitting Involve?

If the space is already there, then fitting some new French doors can be fairly straightforward. There’s more disruption, as you might expect, when the space for the French doors has to be created in the wall.

How long the installation could take will depends on the type of installation required, get an idea with the table below.

Type of Installation	Possible Length of Time
New opening in the wall	4 days
Convert existing window (remove bricks out from underneath)	3 days
Replace existing	£1 – 2 days

Exterior and interior French doors are fitted in almost the same way. The frame of the door being replaced has to be removed then before the doors can be fitted, all of the measurements will have to be made to make sure the space is level. When it’s ready, it’s a case of the doors being installed.

When it comes to exterior doors, extra care has to be taken for security, as we mentioned above, and it’s important to ensure that the openings are sealed to keep out any drafts.

As well all know, the weather in the UK can get a windy at times so make sure the doors are fitted with opening restrictors, which prevent the doors blowing open and causing damage. If they’re not fitted during the installation, they can be easily fitted yourself.

Should You Install French Doors?

French doors add a touch of class from the outside, bring a lot of natural light to the inside and offer a generous amount of space to walk through.

One of the biggest concerns with exterior French doors is that they aren’t the most secure type of door but they’re more secure than ever. They have locks as standard and extra precautions can be taken like fitting double glazing.

If there’s already a space in your home to install French doors then they’re well worth considering. Should a space need to be created in the wall then it’s a bigger job, but if you don’t mind living with the extra disruption you’ll reap the rewards in the end.

Sometimes things have a certain je ne sais quoi about them but the style, charm and elegance of French doors is there for everyone to see.