French door : choosing the right model can enhance a house and characterize the image of the entire structure in which it is inserted. In fact, a French door influences several fundamental aspects for fully living spaces: quality of life, high energy efficiency and low environmental impact.
In this sense, the choice of
hardware with which the mechanisms that allow the
movement of the French window are made is also fundamental.
Do you take care of the
furnishing of the house? I think I can help you because I take care of French windows every day. Let me introduce myself: I am
Elia Caneppele , the founder of Windowo.
In this article I will write you various useful tips and lots of information to choose a
French door frame in a conscious way and according to your specific needs.
What is a French door?
The
term French door refers to a door equipped with glass
frames that, from the house, allows a connection to a terrace, balcony or garden.
This function of access with the outside implies the need to insert specific
mosquito nets for French windows , in order to protect these passage areas from insects.
A French door performs two important functions:
- it is useful because it performs the functional task of the classic door,
- but (unlike the latter) it is also a piece of furniture .
In addition to glass frames, a French window can be made with different materials such as iron, aluminum, wood or PVC.
A French window frame can be made fixed, hinged, sliding or with only some movable elements.
What are the advantages of a French door?
There are several advantages that convince us to install a French door in the house. First of all , the possibility of enclosing the qualities of door and window in a single object.
- Of the window , the window door retains the advantage of letting natural light pass through the glass.
- Being also a door it allows the passage to access balconies, terraces, gardens.
- It reduces the energy waste of air conditioning systems (both in the cold season and in the summer).
- It is beautiful and able to transform a space , making it more welcoming and pleasant.
What are the disadvantages of a French door?
You may think that a disadvantage of the door window could be the reduction in
privacy . In reality, this problem can be solved quickly: nothing prevents you from covering with
blackout curtains that protect you from the gaze of the neighbors.
If you are interested in this aspect, I remind you that on Windowo you can find a wide range of
curtains for sale online at the best prices.
A further doubt could be that you feel less confident. If you want to sleep peacefully, you just need to combine an effective anti-
burglary and anti-burglary system.
Choosing a quality model guarantees safety, lower
thermal transmittance, windows and acoustics. So you can leave out of the house, as well as unwelcome presences, even
drafts and noises.
Is it better to have a French door made of wood, aluminum or PVC?
It depends. Of course, the aesthetic impact is greatly influenced by the material with which the French window is made. The main materials are wood, aluminum and PVC, with the possibility of finding them pure or combined.
You can choose between different
colors and finishes , in order to coordinate the French door with the furniture or outside the house.
Let's see the strengths and weaknesses of the different materials:
- Wooden French windows : these models allow a high thermal and acoustic insulation, an elegant appearance, are durable and robust. However, wood requires constant maintenance and has a higher price;
- Aluminum French windows : the advantages are a modern design, low weight, competitive price, many customization possibilities, no maintenance. But they are less resistant than wood, with lower insulation properties;
- PVC patio door : PVC is easy to clean, economical and light, with excellent structural resistance and the most advantageous quality-price ratio. In addition, it avoids the formation of condensation.
A pvc French door
At the moment the most common are PVC patio doors. Thanks to its ease of processing it is modeled in the most varied forms. The colors range from classic white to wood effects. A
flat or angular PVC cover is usually placed around it in the same color finish in order to finish the work.
I would like to point out that properly made PVC doors are watertight and fully windproof.
On Windowo you can find various
accessories for pvc doors and windows for sale online in a special offer.
Types of French door opening
There are many
types of window openings . Consequently, the variants of door opening are also many and different from each other. Here are the main ones:
- swing , is a very common type of traditional opening;
- folding , opening often used to make verandas with total opening and closing;
- tilt and turn , with the possibility of opening both hinged and vasistas . The advantage is trouble-free ventilation and ventilation in case of rain or wind;
- sliding opening and floor rails : type of lift-up sliding doors that allows you to move large French windows with large glazed surfaces. The crosspiece of the window, raised above the floor, allows you to keep air and water.
Type of glass door window
The glass must guarantee high performance, both for
energy saving and for acoustic insulation. There are different types of glass and the choice must be made according to your needs.
- Single glass : cheaper but has a heat loss of about 40%. It follows a higher energy expenditure;
- Double glazing : single, double or triple room. Made with glass plates interspersed with one or more cavities called chambers, filled with inert gas such as Argon. They have a higher cost but more heat output;
- Low-emissivity glass : similar to double glazing, it is coated with an invisible and thin film, which reduces heat dispersion by retaining up to 90% of the heat;
- Sound- absorbing glass : perfect for homes in the city, they have a high soundproofing power;
- Absorbent glass: glass with special coatings capable of absorbing external heat and preventing it from entering the building.
French door price: how much does it cost?
The
cost of the door window , since it has a larger surface area, is generally slightly higher than that of a window.
Each job is different and this is also reflected in the costs. In order not to receive estimates with inflated French
door prices , it is good to consult various experts in the sector operating in your area and compare the various offers. This way you can save up to 40%.
As an example, for example, I can tell you that a French door with a basic size of 200 cm by a height of 90 cm could cost less than a thousand euros if made of PVC, a little over a thousand euros if made of wood or aluminum.
How much can a pvc patio door cost?
A medium-sized pvc patio door costs around 900 euros. By medium size I mean height of about 2 meters and width of about 1 meter.
How much does a wooden French door cost?
A wooden French door costs around 1000 euros, taking into account standard measures of 1 basic meter by 2 meters high. Installation and assembly costs are included.
How much does an aluminum patio door cost?
An aluminum French door costs around 1200 euros including the installation work. The measurements taken into consideration for this example are approximately 1m by 2m height base.
Thermal insulation: the optimal solution
For optimal insulation I recommend
double or triple glazing . Although it is more expensive, it provides superior insulation that saves up to 20%.
Further possible measures are reported below:
- choose frames for thermal break windows ;
- applies draft excluders for rubber, plastic or aluminum doors;
- insulates the external walls through an external insulation system;
- create plasterboard counterwalls.
The safety of your home
Feeling the family safe within the walls of the house is very important.
Although the French windows currently on the market are more robust than in the past, most thefts still occur by unhinging the door or breaking through the glass plate.
To spend peaceful nights, I suggest you integrate with anti-
intrusion bars , shatterproof glass,
security grates , internal screws and anti-burglary locks,
video intercoms and cameras.
Armored French door: maximum security
The armored French door is the safest version of the classic French windows. This type of window responds to particular needs thanks to the fixed reinforced frame and the presence of particular armored glass.
A
lockable and armored French door is certainly safer, but also more expensive.
I hope this article was useful to you, for any clarification you can comment below. Until next time!
