Buzz
French doors offer the same functionality as sliding glass doors but bring an extra touch of elegance and charm to your living space.
iStockphoto.com/Steven MiricNeed to brighten up dark, closed-off rooms? Or perhaps you love the open feel of patio doors but want something more stylish than the typical sliding glass door? Whether you're tackling an interior or exterior project, French door installation could be just what you need for your home makeover.
Installing French doors requires a bit more effort than simply swapping out a pre-hung single door. You'll be hanging two doors from scratch, so make sure you're prepared and have help before diving into this installation — whether it's for an interior or exterior space.
Installing French doors is a task that doesn’t require professionals, but it does demand some skill. Ready for the challenge? Read on to learn how to install interior French doors, and then keep going to find out how to tackle exterior door installation.
Why Homeowners Adore French Doors
French doors are double doors with glass panes running along most of their length. They generally open outward and meet in the center. Once seen as a safety concern due to the lack of a middle door jamb, modern, stronger locks have now made them a secure and beautiful addition to any home.
Because French doors are mostly made of glass, they allow a significant amount of natural light to enter — a key reason for their popularity. Some models feature decorative glass, while others come with triple-pane glass. Although they are commonly used to open up to a patio, French doors are also perfect for use inside the home. They are particularly favored in home offices and libraries, as they let light from one room spill into darker areas, while still providing the privacy and separation of a door.
Tools and Materials You Will Need
Installing interior French doors is no walk in the park, but with a little care and effort, it’s a project that can result in stunning doors that bring in a lot more natural light.
You'll need a variety of tools to complete the installation, such as a power drill, saws, screwdrivers, hammers, mallets, screws, nails, shims, a pry bar, a chisel, a tape measure, a carpenter’s square, and a level. Don't forget to wear safety glasses and ensure you have the French door kit, which includes the door frame, knobs, and locks.
How to Install Interior French Doors
To begin the installation of interior French doors, follow these steps:
- Start by removing the old frame. Be cautious with the hammer and pry bar to avoid damaging the trim. Labeling the trim pieces can save time when reinstalling them.
- Ensure that the opening is perfectly square. Use a level and carpenter's square to check. This step is crucial for a smoother installation.
- Place the new frame and use shims to secure it in place. Afterward, test the doors to ensure they fit properly and open smoothly. If everything looks good, screw the frame in permanently.
- Finally, hang the doors and attach the hardware included in the kit (doorknobs, latches, etc.) [source: HGTV].
Looking to bring the charm of your patio into your home? Installing exterior French doors is an excellent way to achieve this. Read on to learn how.
This installation might seem straightforward, but achieving a perfectly square hole and frame can be quite challenging. You may need to measure multiple times and make precise adjustments with shims to ensure the frame is just right. It might be tempting to rush and install the doors with a frame that isn't exactly square, but this will lead to problems later. If the doors don’t open and close properly due to an improperly installed frame, they’ll lose their beauty and functionality.
Installing Exterior French Doors
Installing exterior French doors is not much more complicated than installing interior French doors — as long as you already have the opening ready.
To install exterior French doors, follow the same steps as for interior French doors, but take extra care to seal the opening to protect your home from the weather. Start by framing the opening, then seal it thoroughly. Just like with interior French doors, ensure the doors fit properly and adjust shims as needed. After hanging the doors, seal them properly to keep the elements at bay.
If you need to cut an opening for your doors, it's important to hire a professional. Cutting through an exterior wall of your house is a significant task that should not be taken lightly. You don't want to risk structural damage or accidentally sever important utilities hidden within the walls. Additionally, if your home has siding, you'll need to cut it to ensure the new door's molding fits properly [source: Vandervort].
Customize Your French Door Installation
Installing French doors may not be suitable for beginners, but with precise measurements and plenty of patience, it is definitely achievable. French doors come in various styles and sizes, from standard doors to single sliding versions. While we can't cover every possibility here, virtually every aspect, from door dimensions to the type of glass panels, can be customized to your needs.
The key to success in this project is persistence — you may need to adjust the shims multiple times. If you've put in the effort to install the doors, take the time to ensure everything is done properly so that you can enjoy your French doors for years to come.
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French doors can make a beautiful addition to any home, but don't expect them to come cheap. The doors themselves can cost several thousand dollars, and you might also need to secure a permit for the installation. But even when the installation is complete, the work isn't necessarily over. If your house settles and the frame shifts even slightly, your doors might fall out of alignment. In this case, you could find yourself having to redo the entire framing process [source: Vandervort].
