French doors are 2 section doors where one side opens to the left and the other to the right. Both sections open at the same time and swing in the same direction, inswing or outswing. French doors can be considered a type of patio or entrance door.
What can significantly increase the visual appeal of your house? While they are expensive, French doors can be the difference between good and great looks. If you want to separate rooms or have an inner garden and need more sunlight, nothing works better. Want a better view of your garden from the kitchen? French windows and doors.
Homeowners typically install French doors as exterior and patio doors. But if space is not a constraint, you can utilize them in the inner rooms. Although you have many alternatives, every homeowner wishes to have these at one time or another. How about a dash of sunlight or a sunny entryway from the outside? French doors permit sunlight fully on the floor, unlike glass European windows.
How Much Are French Doors
French doors cost from $ 180 – $2000 per unit. Small French doors usually cost from $ 180 – $250. Large French doors are from $1000 – $2000 per door. If the frames are black or in another color, a single French door would be from $200 – $1600. If the French door has grilles, it would be 5% – 25 % more expensive.
But what are French doors really? Usually, they are big and have glass panes with grills and divided lites. These doors are available in a variety of materials. Generally, they have double hinges and allow inward or outward swing or slide. French doors may quote anything from $300 to $4000, based on size and material.
What types are standard?
Exterior doors are pricier than the interior. Standard 5 feet wide vinyl doors are relatively low-cost in the range of $275-$1500. But, you can insert stiff foam for better insulation. If water leakage is a concern, vinyl will serve you better.
Doors with fiberglass are energy-efficient and hardly need maintenance. They are generally in the $550-$2000 range and provide resistance to rain, ultraviolet rays, and harsh weather.
Wood doors create a classic look and have a price tag in the $600-$3000 range. If you wish to lower costs with kids hovering around, use a basic frame with shatterproof glass. Cladding with material like vinyl or aluminum reduces maintenance and increases durability. It also protects the wood from moisture and decay. An Andersen prehung pair in vinyl-clad wood can cost between $2500-$3000. Pella colonial styles range between $3000-$4000.
Here is a primer on the various kinds of French doors and their prices:
Single in-swing
A single-hinge houses a sizeable French door on one side and opens inwards. The opposite has a minor, stationary sidelight. If you opt for vinyl, it goes up to $2000.
Double in-swing
If the outside view is your main concern, go for double in-swing doors. An extra arched top with aluminum-clad wood looks gracious and costs between $5000-$6000.
Double out-swing
In a hurricane belt, these work very well because they shut tight together. Choose outward swing doors to gain more space in the interior. An Andersen prehung French door pair lists between $2700-$3000.
Single slider
Single sliding replacement doors utilize available space efficiently. Standard sizes cost up to $3000. On the contrary, Pella aluminum-clad wood sliding doors can set you back by at least $4400. Motorized shades command extra money.
Telescoping slider
Go for telescoping sliders if you have extra room. You can put up to 10 sliding panels on ball bearings. However, these improvements can be pricey, upwards of $6000.
Interior doors require less resistance to the elements: wind, rain, or cold air drafts. However, they may need more privacy. So, expect the average price tag in the $300-$1000 zone for bedroom and closet doors.
Interior doors generally have grills and lites. As a homeowner, you will mostly prefer no grills for backyard, balcony, or porch doors.
How Much Cost To Install French Doors
It will cost from $ 400 – $ 1200 to install a French door. Depending on your local contractor prices for installation, the average labour cost to install a single French door is from $ 60 – $200. If the door is not for the ground floor, the cost may be higher because of rent for the special equipment needed.
You can expect installation charges between $50-$1000 for each door. Although size and weight decide the fees, custom ones may incur more expenses. Most manufacturers give a warranty from 2 to 20 years. But your installer may also offer deals on repairs on the ones they installed.
Installers will often quote extra for things like:
- Wiring
- Narrow roof overhangs
- Additional steps to reach the door
- Trimming and molding
A contractor will charge more if you need to install the door on a wall with electrical outlets. Builder codes may also require lights outside an external doorway. An electrician will most likely come into the picture.
You may need to widen the roof overhang if you put the door in the place of a window. Expect your installer to increase labor charges by an extra $100-$500.
If you want steps to the doorway, extra labor charges will apply. Most doors need exterior trim and interior molding to fit and seal perfectly. For do-it-yourself fans, a trimming kit ranging between $125-$250 can help.
How Much Does It Cost To Install French Patio Doors
To install French patio doors, it will cost you from $ 400 – $1200 per door. French patio instillation cost depending on the size of the patio door and your local installer prices. Also, depending on which floor you want to install the door on, you might need special equipment which may cost from $ 60 – $ 200.
What links the inside to the outside of your home? For many owners, French patio doors are an obvious choice. Be it a deck, backyard, porch, or balcony – residents and guests find the doors elegant and impressive.
Installers typically quote between $400-$1000 to install French patio doors. Heights usually begin from 80 inches. If you opt for eight feet or above, expect extra labor charges. Standard widths range between 18-36 inches for individual doors. There is a great combination of French Patio Doors and big picture windows.
A Perfect Fit
If you want a perfect fit, be 100 percent sure of the measurements or employ a full-time professional. The contractor will likely guide you regarding the best door location, materials, and kinds available. Pre-hung doors have more cost upfront but also save more during installation. If your old frames have proper openings, they will lower labor charges.
You may also opt for:
- Screens to restrict the entry of insects
- Extra insulation to reduce utility bills
- Security systems like multipoint locks
Expect labor charges in the area of $55-$85 for every hour. Professional installers can finish a standard job within 2-3 hours.
How To Frame A French Door Exterior
To frame a French door exterior, you will need to preform a regular instillation but have the opening be 1” wider and ¾” taller than what would be required for a double door. Nailing for the framing would also need to be every 6”, not 12. You can hire someone to frame a French door exterior for you, or you can just do it yourself. Tools required are simple.
French doors come mostly pre-hung nowadays for easy installation. Usually, manufacturers ship a frame, along with a sill, for easy installation. You can choose optional things such as grills and other hardware. Using uPVC means little maintenance and superior resistance to elements. Your frame and transom mostly use uPVC for durability.
Firstly, you need a rough opening bigger than the frame and the door. Keep the opening 2 inches wider and 2-1/2 inches higher than the door. Hence, for a 60-inch X 80-inch door, the opening should be 62-inch wide and 82-1/2-inch high. Keep a gap of at least 1/16th of an inch between the opening and the frame. Your door will not rub against the frame when your wall expands or contracts seasonally.
Next, measure the door’s swing radius and keep that much portion clear. For a perfect fit, the door should aptly fit in the jamb depth. Leave at least 3/8th of an inch space for door jambs if you plan to carpet the house. Owners of new homes find it straightforward to install standard-sized French doors.
How To Install French Doors In Existing Opening
To install a French door in an existing opening, you will first need to make sure that it is in the right size to accommodate the door. Then, the door would just be put in and secured according to the supplier’s instructions. The next step is to seal the door with with silicone and tape. Then, it’s just finishing touches for the interior and exterior.
Existing openings make it effortless to put in French doors. But, be sure to take the measurements correctly before you order the door. If you purchase pre-hung doors or have no emergency replacement need, you can fit them yourself. Follow these steps:
Extract the existing frame
Pulling out can take at least an hour for an old frame. You may keep a heat gun handy to score the caulking. Use a pry bar to extract the previous frame without any wall damage. Also, keep the trim aside so that it may be re-installed.
Smooth rough edges and square the rough opening
Smoothen any rough edges in the opening. Use tools such as carpenter square and a long level to ensure square measurement. Following these instructions mean that the door operation will not have any problems.
Put in the new frame and allow adjustments
If the door does not level properly, add a few shims. Tap nails lightly to lock the new frame and shims in the studs that your builder already designed on the wall. Check if the door is operating correctly and make adjustments where necessary.
Lock the frame
Check alignment and leveling again. When everything is working, fasten the new frame in the studs with the nails tightly. Cut extra portions of shims. Add caulking, and finally, fix the trim again.
In the case of exterior doors, you may need to put in a sill pan. Weatherstripping is essential for most external doors. For residents of a hurricane zone, an extra step is to check the pane-glass pressure rating. If you need more privacy, consider a frosted or textured pane. For added impact, use transoms or sidelights. A transom may also house alarms or cameras for security.
How long will it take
Not more than a day if you try to do it yourself. Professionals can do it in under 2 hours. But, something can always slow down the process. Door trims may be stubborn to pull off, or you may discover rot underneath the existing frame. It is not unusual for the opening to need reinforcement.
