

Comes in a smooth finish or with a realistic embossed wood-grain look that can be stained. Stable, energy-efficient, and low-maintenance, sturdy fiberglass offers superior resistance to UV rays, rain, and cold weather can be painted or finished with marine varnish. Shown: Premium Atlantic Vinyl doors, prehung pair from $2,700 Jeld-Wen Fiberglass Courtesy of Masonite A stiff foam core adds energy efficiency. Quality vinyl is affordable and durable, and mimics the look of painted wood-choose a different color for each side. Shown: Lumera 10-light doors, from Simonton Material Types of Exterior French Doors Vinyl Courtesy of Jeld-Wen The best solution may be a retractable screen, sometimes sold with the door, that rolls up into the jamb, out of sight until needed. Screen options: Hinged screens need floor space, and sliders mean another track a semitransparent material like fiberglass screen cloth is less obtrusive. Textured or frosted panes add privacy in a hurricane zone, look for a design pressure rating that complies with local building code. Type of glass: A transom or sidelights can augment the impact. Space-saving options include one hinged door and one that’s fixed, or doors that slide. Sight lines: Unless you are simply swapping in new French doors for old ones, work with your designer or general contractor on the best spot for views from inside, comfortable access, and sun and wind exposure.Ĭlearances: Before opting for hinged doors, make sure they will have room to fully open, whether they swing in or out. At night, they may require shades, blinds, or drapes for privacy.

All those panes need regular cleaning to preserve the view. Weatherstripping will need periodic replacement, and hinges tightening.
REPLACEMENT DOOR GRIDS FREE
With sliders, tracks have to be kept free of debris. Ones that swing out are exposed to the weather. They can require floor space-on both sides if swinging doors are paired with swinging screens.They come with a wide choice of lights, so you can reinforce the style of your house and add architectural detail.They allow sliders to have a more traditional look by means of beefier bottom rails and window grilles.When closed in winter, all that glass can channel the sun’s warmth. They can let in lots of air, boosting cross-ventilation in summer.They can brighten indoor rooms even when it rains. They let in lots of natural light, creating an unrivaled sense of spaciousness and indoor-outdoor connection.But for the widest selection, visit high-end lumberyards and window and door showrooms.Įxterior French Doors: Pros & Cons Courtesy of Simonton Pros: Where to buy? Home centers stock low- to mid-range models.How long will they last? Warranties run anywhere from 2 years to 20, and some can be transferred to the next homeowner.How much do they cost? From $400 for a stock steel set to more than $3,000 for semi-custom in fiberglass or aluminum-clad wood (uninstalled).DIY or hire a pro? While a seasoned DIYer might be comfortable swapping in a new set of prehung doors for old ones, most homeowners will want to call a pro- especially if a new opening is needed.Exterior French Doors: Questions You Should Ask Photo by Jodi Jacobsen/iStock Photo Optional grilles and hardware can be added to round out your door style. Today’s exterior French doors often arrive prehung in a wood frame, complete with sill and weatherstripping. Similar to shown: 7010 Thermal French doors, from Simpson Exterior French Door Parts Illustration by Arthur Mount
REPLACEMENT DOOR GRIDS HOW TO
Here’s how to bring this now very American tradition home. “Unlike windows, French doors let light in low, and create a sense of always being able to step outside, which is cheering.” “One of the nicest things in a room is a splash of sunlight on the floor,” says interior designer Mally Skok. New engineering means greater energy efficiency, wind resistance, and security, freeing the mind to focus on what counts: light and air. Today, French doors come in a wide variety of styles, from uninterrupted panes of glass to ones crisscrossed with diamond-shaped grids, and they slide as well as swing. In fact, Thomas Jefferson installed several pairs of them at Monticello. Exported to North America a century later, pairs of the multipaned doors could be flung open to catch a breeze in summer while inviting in the sun year-round.
REPLACEMENT DOOR GRIDS WINDOWS
When the French crossed doors with windows back in the 1600s, they had something similar in mind. Or you’d like to see your garden from the kitchen while also ushering in more light and air. Maybe you have a new stone patio and want to open a sunny passageway from the living room.
