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 design works reflecting the timeless functionality of the design.
We supply and fit them across Northamptonshire and within an 50 miles radius of our Rushden showroom, with uPVC, composite and aluminium options available. 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 system securing into both the head and threshold of the frame. The leaves typically open inward or outward, depending on how the space is used.
Unlike bifold systems that fold back panel by panel or patio doors that slide along a track, a French door set opens on hinges like a conventional pair, creating a wider, symmetrical opening. The traditional aesthetic suits period properties, cottages and rear elevations desiring a less contemporary look.
These typically feature glazing across the majority of each leaf, with a slim frame around the perimeter and either Georgian astragal bars or a single full-light pane in the centre. Glass double-leaf doors maximise the glazed area, allowing the greatest amount of natural light into your home.
These are the most popular UK 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 glazed double 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.
Fitted uPVC French doors typically cost £1,500 to £2,500 depending on size, glazing and colour. The price sits below composite or aluminium alternatives, which is why uPVC remains the popular choice for residential door installations.
Composite French doors can offer stronger thermal performance and security than uPVC alternatives, with U-values from 0.86 W/m²K. They are particularly well suited to exposed elevations, where weather resistance matters as much as the traditional appearance.
The specification includes a GRP outer skin, foam-insulated core, reinforced timber sub-frame and Ultion 3-Star anti-snap cylinder. Pilkington Texture and Oriel glazing options available across our composite range can also be used with this configuration.
Internal French doors connect adjoining rooms rather than opening externally. 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.
The internal version uses the same double-door arrangement as the external design, but with lighter glazing requirements because weather protection is not needed. Clear glass can be used to maximise daylight between rooms, while frosted glass provides privacy where required.
This internal glazed design 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:
Laminated security glass is available across for all decorative patterns, decorative glazing and security are important.
Double French doors describes the standard door configuration with two leaves meeting in the centre.
Standard residential double-leaf designs 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 2400 mm, where a glazed double-leaf configuration may not be suitable, sliding or bifold systems can provide a better solution. 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 double-leaf door set more secure than two single doors.
The hinged action and panel proportions of a French design are easiest to assess in person. Our Rushden showroom has full-size uPVC and composite double-leaf models displayed alongside sliding patio and bifold systems for direct comparison.
Free no-obligation quotes and free home surveys for properties in Northamptonshire within the 50 miles from Rushden installation area covering Northampton, Bedford, Milton Keynes, Kettering, Cambridge, Peterborough, Rugby and Hemel Hempstead.
Fitted uPVC options typically cost £1,500 to £2,500 in the UK, depending on size, glazing and colour. Composite versions generally cost £2,500 to £4,000 fitted, while aluminium systems sit at the premium end at around £3,500 to £5,500. Supply-only prices are typically around 30% lower.
Yes. A secure specification can include 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. PAS 24 doorset certification is also available for additional reassurance.
French designs use two hinged leaves that swing open, while patio systems slide horizontally along a track. The traditional double-leaf style works particularly well with period properties and rear elevations. Sliding configurations are better suited to wider openings or locations where there isn't enough space for a swing arc.
Yes. Internal configurations work well between dining and living rooms, kitchens and conservatories, studies and reception rooms, or as an entrance to a formal room. The same traditional double-leaf layout can be used internally, with lighter glazing requirements because weather protection is not needed.
A typical residential pair measures 1,500 to 2,000 mm in overall width, with each leaf measuring around 750 to 1,000 mm. Overall height is usually 2,080 to 2,100 mm including the frame. Wider configurations up to 2,400 mm are available where the structural opening allows.
They can open either way, depending on how the surrounding space is used. An inward-opening configuration may suit a rear elevation where outdoor furniture or planting is close to the entrance, while opening outwards can preserve more usable space inside. We confirm the most suitable direction at survey.
Our uPVC range is available in a wide choice of colours and wood-grain foil finishes. Popular options include classic white, Anthracite Grey, traditional cream, Chartwell Green and Oxford Blue. Dual-colour finishes allow you to choose different shades for the inside and outside.
Fully glazed leaves generally cost roughly the same as part-glazed versions with solid lower panels. Decorative glass, including Pilkington Texture, Oriel etched and leaded designs, can add around 15 to 30% over standard clear double glazing. Laminated security glass may add a further 10 to 20%, depending on the specification.
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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 designs achieve U-values from 0.86 W/m²K, the best in the residential double-leaf 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.
Double-leaf 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 paired hinged doors handle design) are available for properties wanting the authentic period look.
uPVC and composite hinged double doors take around 5 to 8 weeks for delivery and fitting. Custom RAL colours, decorative leaded glass and Secured by Design upgrades increase the lead time.
The installation process takes about a day to complete. The installation is done by our FENSA-certified installation team who take care of all the aspects including survey, removal of the old window, installing frames, weatherproofing, and final testing and certification process with FENSA.
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