Once an option only available to the wealthy, it is now more common to see french doors in UK home, particularly UPVC french doors - but how do they differ from standard doors, and why are they called “french doors”? In this blog, you’ll learn what makes these doors “french”, and how they can make your home feel more spacious.

Where did french doors originate from?

Double doors weren’t originally French – In fact, double doors were used in ancient Greece and China for grand entrances, but not in everyday homes.
“French doors” were originally windows – They were intended as double-leaved windows for balconies.
They became “French doors” thanks to the Italian Renaissance – French designers took the grand designs of the Renaissance, which were inspired by the symmetrical designs of ancient Greece, to create elegant and large doors for stately homes.
They were a show of wealth – They weren’t practical, or even affordable, for standard homes. However, in the modern age, UPVC french doors are widely available to homes across the UK.

Double doors from the Palace of Versailles and a balcony in Paris with french windows

Ornate double doors and balcony windows were instrumental in the creation of 'french doors'

What are french doors called in French?

In France, they are known as une porte-fenêtre, or “a door-window.”
In Canadian French, they are in fact called portes françaises – “French doors!”

How do UPVC french doors work?

There is a master door and a slave door – The master door is the main functioning door, while the slave door is the secondary.
A mullion runs down the centre – This vertical strip is attached to the edge of the slave door. It provides insulation when the door is closed, and allows a specious view when the door is open, as having a vertical beam attached to the frame rather than the door would obscure this view.
They share a secure locking system – A standard (single-leaf) door has the engaging locking mechanisms and the frame has the keeps to secure them; for french doors, the master and slave doors respectively have these.

Close-up of a UPVC french door locking strip and handles

A close-up of french doors. Notice the keeps and mullion on the slave door.

The advantages of UPVC french doors

A more spacious feel than with standard doors – UPVC french doors create less divide between the indoors and outside, which makes them perfect for entrances to flourishing gardens.
More options than with sliding patio doors – While UPVC french doors are mostly fully-glazed, it is also possible to create double doors of any standard UPVC door design. With this, hardware such as knockers, letterplates and even catflaps can be added, which would not be possible for sliding patio doors.
The same secure locks as standard UPVC doors – As with our single-leaf UPVC front and back doors, our UPVC french doors use a multi-point locking system and toughened glass to protect your home from intruders.
Lower maintenance than wood or aluminium – UPVC french doors are designed to withstand the changing British weather, and neither require the repainting necessary for wood, nor leave easily-noticeable scratches as with expensive aluminium.

Irish oak UPVC french doors viewed from inside

UPVC french doors in irish oak viewed from an inside porch

To summerise

Master
door

Slave
door

Opens…

>

first

second

-

Mullion?

>

without

with

-

Locking mechanism?

>

hooks, shoots & bolts

-

keeps for locking points

Ready to create space in your home?

You can order your UPVC french doors in one of the following ways:

Call us free – Phone 0800 910 1122 and our door experts will be on-hand to assist you.
Send a message – Via the blue tab on the right of the page, or by visiting our Contact Us page.
Ordering online – Choose to order UPVC french doors Fully Fitted or Supply Only.

Order UPVC French Doors Fully Fitted

or

Order UPVC French Doors Supply Only

UPVC French Doors