Styles
- French doors — two panels that both open
- Single hinged door — one opening panel with a fixed panel beside it
- Inswing or outswing — inswing is most common; outswing saves floor space
Things to plan
- Space for the door to swing, inside or out
- A good sill pan and flashing so summer storms don't get under the threshold
- Multi-point locks for better security and a tighter seal
- Screen options, since hinged doors need retractable or hinged screens
Materials
Fiberglass, vinyl, clad wood and steel are all available. For a door on a sunny patio, we steer most homeowners toward fiberglass or clad wood that won't warp in the heat.
Call (505) 616-3368 to talk about switching from a slider to French doors.
Common questions
Do French doors seal as well as sliders?
Good hinged doors with multi-point locks seal very well, often better than older sliders.
Can you replace a slider with French doors?
Often, if the opening is close in size. Sometimes the framing needs changes.