About us | Contact us | Blog
About us | Contact us | Blog
French doors that bring daylight and traditional character
French doors are the classic European double-door configuration. Two hinged leaves open inward or outward to clear most of the opening width. The proportions and panel detailing have stayed essentially unchanged for two centuries because the design works.
We supply and fit French doors across an 80 km radius of our Rushden showroom in uPVC, composite and aluminium configurations. Available for rear elevations onto gardens, internal openings between rooms, and traditional front entrances on period properties.
A French door set has two hinged leaves that meet in the centre when closed. Each leaf has its own multi-point locking running into the head and threshold of the frame. The leaves typically open inward or outward, depending on how the space is used.
Where bifold doors fold back panel-by-panel and patio doors slide on a track, a French door swings on hinges like a standard single door but with the visual width of a double opening. The traditional aesthetic suits period properties, cottages and rear elevations where a less contemporary look is the priority.
French doors typically have glazing across most of the leaf area, with a slim frame around the perimeter and either Georgian astragal bars or a single full-light pane in the centre. Glass French doors maximise the glazed area for maximum daylight transfer.
uPVC French doors are the most popular UK French door choice because they balance the traditional aesthetic with modern thermal performance and security. Our uPVC French doors are built on VEKA profiles with multi-point hook locking, PAS 24 certification available, and the full RAL colour palette including dual-colour finishes.
The uPVC profile gives you the traditional French door look without the maintenance demands of timber. Wood-grain foil finishes are available where you want the authentic timber appearance from arm’s length but with uPVC’s low-maintenance benefits.
uPVC French doors typically cost £1,500 to £2,500 fitted depending on size, glazing and colour. The price sits below composite or aluminium French door alternatives, which is why uPVC remains the volume choice for residential French door installations.
Composite French doors deliver better thermal performance and security than uPVC alternatives, with U-values from 0.86 W/m²K. Best for properties where the French doors face an exposed elevation and weather performance matters as much as the traditional look.
The composite French door spec includes a GRP outer skin, foam-insulated core, reinforced timber sub-frame and Ultion 3-Star anti-snap cylinder. The same Pilkington Texture and Oriel glass options that work across the composite door range work for composite French doors.
French doors interior configurations open between rooms rather than to the outside. Common applications include between dining rooms and living rooms, between kitchens and conservatories, between studies and main living spaces, or as feature doors into formal rooms.
French doors interior options use the same traditional double-leaf design as external French doors but with lighter glazing requirements because the doors don’t need to be weatherproof. Internal French doors typically have clear glass for maximum daylight transfer between rooms, or frosted glass where privacy matters between specific spaces.
The french doors interior style works particularly well in period properties where you want to open up between formal reception rooms while preserving the option to close them for a more intimate space.
Glass French doors maximise the glazed area across both leaves. Common configurations include:
Glass French doors with decorative or privacy glass are available across the Pilkington Texture range, including Stippolyte, Contora and Cotswold patterns. Pilkington Oriel etched glass works for contemporary French door designs.
Laminated security glass is available across all decorative patterns for properties where decorative glazing and security both matter.
Double French doors describes the standard French door configuration with two leaves meeting in the centre. The terminology overlaps with industry phrases like “French double doors” and “French doors set”.
Standard residential French door widths are 1500mm to 2000mm total (two leaves at 750-1000mm each). Wider configurations up to 2400mm total are available where the structural opening allows.
For openings wider than 2400mm where French doors won’t work, sliding patio doors or bifold doors give better proportions. See our patio doors and bifold doors pages for the alternatives.
Every French door we supply includes multi-point hook locking on each leaf, TS 007 3-Star anti-snap cylinders, reinforced hinges and shoot bolts at the head and threshold of the passive leaf. PAS 24 doorset certification is available across the range.
The passive leaf (the one used less often) is secured by shoot bolts engaging into the frame. The active leaf has the main cylinder and handle and engages multi-point hooks into the passive leaf when closed. This dual-locking arrangement makes a French door set more secure than two single doors.
The hinged action and panel proportions on a French door are easiest to assess in person. Our Rushden showroom has full-size uPVC and composite French doors set up alongside sliding patio doors and bifold doors for direct comparison.
Free no-obligation quotes and free home surveys for properties across the 80 km installation area covering Northampton, Bedford, Milton Keynes, Kettering, Cambridge, Peterborough, Rugby and Hemel Hempstead.
More on French doors
uPVC French doors fitted typically cost £1,500 to £2,500 in the UK depending on size, glazing and colour. Composite French doors cost £2,500 to £4,000 fitted. Aluminium French doors sit at the premium end at £3,500 to £5,500 fitted. Supply-only pricing is around 30% lower than fitted.
Yes, French doors are secure when fitted with multi-point hook locking on each leaf, TS 007 3-Star anti-snap cylinders and shoot bolts at the head and threshold of the passive leaf. Our French doors come with these specifications as standard. PAS 24 doorset certification is available as an upgrade for the highest residential security spec.
French doors are hinged double doors that swing open like standard doors. Patio doors slide horizontally on a track. French doors suit period properties and rear elevations where the traditional double-leaf look matters. Patio doors suit wider openings or where the floor space needed for a hinged door arc isn't available.
Yes, French doors interior configurations work between dining rooms and living rooms, between kitchens and conservatories, between studies and reception rooms, or as feature doors into formal rooms. Interior French doors use the same traditional double-leaf design as external French doors but with lighter glazing because the doors don't need to be weatherproof.
Standard residential double French doors are 1500mm to 2000mm total width, with two leaves at 750-1000mm each. The height is typically 2080mm to 2100mm including the frame. Wider configurations up to 2400mm total are available where the structural opening allows.
French doors can open inward or outward depending on how the space is used. Inward-opening French doors suit rear elevations where outdoor furniture or planting is close to the doorway. Outward-opening French doors suit interior layouts where furniture sits close to the wall internally. We confirm the opening direction at survey.
Yes, uPVC French doors are available in the full RAL colour palette plus wood-grain foil finishes. The most-requested colours are classic white, anthracite grey, traditional cream, chartwell green and Oxford blue. Dual-colour finishes give you different shades inside and outside.
Glass French doors with fully-glazed leaves cost roughly the same as part-glazed French doors with solid lower panels. Decorative glass, including Pilkington Texture, Oriel etched and leaded designs, adds 15 to 30% over standard clear double glazing. Laminated security glass adds a further 10 to 20% across any decorative pattern.
By submitting your information, you consent to being contacted in accordance with our privacy policy.
uPVC French doors achieve U-values around 1.2 to 1.4 W/m²K with double glazing, dropping to 1.0 W/m²K or lower with triple glazing. Composite French doors achieve U-values from 0.86 W/m²K, the best in the residential French door range.
Multi-chamber profiles, EPDM weather seals and high-spec sealed glass units deliver the thermal performance needed for current Building Regulations and lower heating bills through reduced air infiltration.
French doors come with two threshold options. Fully-weathered thresholds rise above floor level for maximum weather protection on exposed elevations. Aluminium thermally-broken low thresholds sit nearly flush with the floor for step-free access and meet Part M accessibility requirements.
Both threshold options include integrated drainage to prevent water ingress in normal UK weather.
The full RAL colour palette is available across the French door range, with the most-requested finishes being classic white, anthracite grey, traditional cream, chartwell green and Oxford blue. Dual-colour finishes give you different shades inside and outside.
Hardware options include polished chrome, satin chrome, matt black, antique brass and polished brass handle sets. Cremone bolts (the traditional French door handle design) are available for properties wanting the authentic period look.
uPVC and composite French doors take around 5 to 8 weeks for delivery and fitting. Custom RAL colours, decorative leaded glass and Secured by Design upgrades push lead times longer.
Installation is typically a one-day job. Our FENSA-registered installers handle the survey, removal of the old doors, frame fitting, weather sealing and final commissioning. The FENSA certificate is issued at handover.
Book your free quotation appointment with one of our local expert consultants who will:
Take advantage of our free consultation to understand how we can assist you.
Please fill in the following submission form to schedule your appointment. Upon receiving your form, our team will reach out to you to confirm the details of the appointment.
Thank you for considering our services.
We look forward to hearing from you!
By submitting your information, you consent to being contacted in accordance with our privacy policy.
Homeefe Limited is a private limited company registered in England and Wales, company number: 12754601. Registered office is located at: 17 The Precinct, High Street South, Rushden, England, NN10 0QU
Copyright © 2025 Homeefe Limited
By submitting your information, you consent to being contacted in accordance with our privacy policy.
