Complete Guide to French Doors
When it comes to French doors, there is so much information regarding their specifications and characteristics. Take a look at this handy guide in order to decipher the terminology, and help you decide which French patio doors are right for you!
Cost 
As mentioned in our French Doors FAQs, exterior French doors vary in cost depending on size and material.
Access
Open In style: refers to the way the doors open, meaning open in style doors open to the inside of the room from the position of one standing in the room
Open Out style: refers to the way the doors open, meaning open out style doors open to the outside of the room from the position of one standing in the room
Sizing
Our external French doors are available in a wide range of sizes and combinations of mobile doors and sidelights. For help with sizing, definitions are as follows:
Brickwork Size – the size your walls and brickwork should be adjusted to in order to accommodate the door frame.
Sizes we supply:
- 1805mm (W) x 2105mm (H)
- 2105mm (W) x 2105mm (H)
- 2405mm (W) x 2105mm (H)
- 1205mm (W) x 2105mm (H)
- 1505mm (W) x 2105mm (H)
- 2705mm (W) x 2105mm (H)
- 3005mm (W) x 2105mm (H)
Outer Frame Size – this refers to the overall size of of the outer frame of the door, the ‘full’ size of the doors.
Sizes we supply:
- 1790mm (W) x 2090mm (H)
- 2090mm (W) x 2090mm (H)
- 2390mm (W) x 2090mm (H)
- 1190mm (W) x 2090mm (H)
- 1490mm (W) x 2090mm (H)
- 2690mm (W) x 2090mm (H)
- 2990mm (W) x 2090mm (H)
Colours
- We supply Aluminium French doors in Anthracite Grey and White
- We supply PVC French doors in White
Door Style
Sidelights: refers to the vertical panels of glass that are installed on the sides of an entry door to increase the natural light in your home.
- We supply French doors without sidelights
- We supply French doors with sidelights
Performance
Whether aluminium or UPVC, French doors are a high-quality and high-performing addition to your home. They boast a long lifespan, lightweight yet strong materials and slim frames.
U-value: refers to the ability of an element to transmit heat from a warm space to a cold space in a building, and vice versa. The lower the U-value, the better insulated the building element.
- We supply Aluminium French doors with 1.5W/ m2k U-value
- We supply PVC French doors with 1.6W/ m2k U-value
Slim door frame: means that the frame are slimmer in size so that there is more glass, ergo more natural light entering the space
- We supply Aluminium French doors with a slim door frame
Materials
- Aluminium - aluminium French doors are slightly stronger than PVC, especially once they have undergone thermal treatment like our doors have. It is highly resistant to UV damage and the frames are often slightly thinner and sleeker.
- UPVC - UPVC French doors are a slightly cheaper option for those looking for a more cost-effective choice for their home. Although not quite as strong as aluminium, it is incredibly durable, and just like it's metal counterpart, can help improve the access to and from a property, as well as flooding your space in natural light.
Both styles are low-maintenance and thermally efficient.
Opening Style
All of our French patio doors open outwards – the doors move externally towards your outside space.
Glazing
Our standard French doors feature Low E Toughened Double Glazing and out Part Q Compliant French doors are supplied with Laminated Security Double Glazing.
Glass panelling: refers to the flat sheet of glass that is installed in a window or a door
- We supply French doors with a double glaze
Part Q compliant: means approved Document Q contains guidance on security in new dwellings, including measures taken to avoid any unauthorised entrance to dwellings and flats within a building.
- We supply Aluminium French doors that are Part Q compliant in Anthracite Grey and White
- We supply PVC French doors that are Part Q compliant in White
Security
PAS24 locking system: Publicly Available Specification is a minimum standard which means doors and now windows, are tested to the standards specifications with a fail or pass as there are no higher or lower grades of security.
- All of our French doors feature a PAS24 locking system
For any additional help when it comes to figuring out which French patio door is best for your space, our expert team are always on hand to help answer any questions you may have. Get in touch today, or if you’re ready, shop French doors online now.
