French - futureframeswindoor

	French Doors French doors consist of one or two hinged casements designed to swing open like a window and are most typically used for balconies and patios. They link your interior with the exterior and create a larger uninterrupted space than a standard door making them ideal for areas with more traffic such as access to the garden.

	French Doors: Overview & Advantages French doors come in single and double leaf versions which swing inwards or outwards on hinges in the same way a casement window would. Each door features a large glazed surface which provides lots of natural light and great views while allowing easy access the exterior. With both doors open, they offer a larger uninterrupted opening area which is ideal for balconies, bedrooms and areas that get more traffic such as patios or gardens.

	Advantages include: In many spatial situations, there may not be sufficient room for tilt-and-turn systems. Can be installed in smaller openings Offer tilt and turn functionality A better view and more light More ventilation Optional glazing bars to match historical styles (e.g. Georgian) Faster and simpler to use than sliding doors in high traffic areas Open the entire available space

	French Doors vs. Other Patio Door Types The size of the installation area available plays a large role in determining what door types are available. French doors are ideal for medium spaces that are bigger than a single entry door but perhaps too small for sliding doors to make sense. They can also feature sidelights and transom windows above meaning they offer a great deal of flexibility for fitting any location. With a simple turn of the handle, each of the two doors swing open immediately creating a large open area, and importantly, using all of the available space. Sliding doors in contrast always leave half of the overall space closed. Bi-fold doors also open to 100% of the available space but are suited for large wall openings not found on balconies or many patios.

	Glazing Choices for Energy Efficiency, Security & Soundproofing French doors typically feature large glass surfaces to provide the most natural light possible and the best views. Since most of the doors' total surface area is glass, your choice of glass plays a major role in overall energy efficiency, U-values and security. With external doors, it is important to ensure that energy is not lost, whether that be cool air in summer or warm air in winter. Choosing double or triple glazing will go a long way towards ensuring this as will optional non-conductive warm edge spacers and argon filling between panes.

	Hardware & Fittings Large glass surfaces can be a potential vulnerability depending on their location. A second or third floor balcony door presents little risk while ground level doors should be configured with further security options. These include multipoint locking, shootbolts, locking handles and concealed hinges. Laminated safety glass should be installed on the outermost pane at least in order to provide an added layer of security and make breaking the glass difficult.