In contemporary home design, french doors are highly favored by designers and homeowners for their elegant appearance and excellent lighting performance. Whether used as balcony doors leading to the garden, partition doors connecting the kitchen and dining room, or interior entry doors that enhance the visual sense of space, french doors can always add a sense of openness and flexibility to a space. However, while pursuing both aesthetics and practicality, careful preparation is also essential. The following 5 key points are essential before installing a french door.
Common opening methods for french doors include bi-fold and sliding. Traditional french doors are mostly double-leaf designs, requiring a certain amount of space for opening and closing. They are suitable for garden balconies, living room doors, or large indoor openings. However, if your home is smaller, sliding french doors are more space-saving and suitable for compact areas such as kitchens and studies.
In addition, it is important to consider the door's opening direction: whether it opens inward or outward, and whether it will affect furniture arrangement or flow through the passageway. Before installation, it's recommended to have the designer or contractor perform space measurements and functional planning in advance.
french doors require high precision in doorframes, especially for symmetrical double-door designs. Even the slightest deviation in dimensions can lead to uneven gaps, loose closures, air leaks, and water leakage.
Before installation, it's recommended to have a professional accurately measure the wall opening and reserve sufficient structural installation space based on the door leaf thickness, hardware, and installation method. For renovations of older homes, it's best to reinforce or adjust the existing wall structure to prevent deformation that could affect the door's installation quality.
The visual core of a french door lies in its large expanse of glass, which not only determines the lighting quality but also impacts safety, thermal insulation, and soundproofing. Common glass types currently available on the market include:
Tempered glass: High strength and safety, suitable for home use
Insulating glass: Two layers of glass with an air barrier between them, providing enhanced sound and heat insulation
Low-E glass: Energy-saving and heat-insulating, suitable for areas with strong sunlight
When choosing a french door, it's recommended to select the glass type based on your needs. Tempered or laminated glass, particularly for homes with children or elderly residents, should be considered for its safety. Explore french door designs from Zonle Doors to see more french door options with different glass configurations, helping you make a more informed choice.
Even the best door can be compromised by poor fittings. Common hardware components for french doors include:
Hinges: These affect the smoothness of opening and closing and the door's load-bearing capacity.
Locks: These include traditional lock cylinders, concealed latches, or smart locks.
Sealing strips: Ensure the door's gap is airtight, helping to prevent dust, water, and sound.
Before installation, verify the brand and quality of the hardware. It's recommended to choose hardware manufacturers with a strong market reputation to avoid problems such as aging, falling off, and rusting that could affect the door's function.