Basics of French Patio Doors

French patio doors are extremely attractive and come in a variety of styles, sizes and finishes.
French patio doors aren’t just for patios; they can also add a unique ambience to dens, bedrooms, living rooms as well as porches and terraces in homes and offices and entranceways in commercial businesses. French patio doors can be very energy efficient and secure, and have been redefined to suit any decor.

Elegant and functional, French patio doors originated in France in the latter part of the Renaissance period. The French door is used to add barriers from extreme heat or cold and have even been effective for preventing fires from spreading. French doors come in various styles, from the sliding French patio doors to the trendier hinged French patio doors. Most hinged French doors are hinged along one side only. This enables the door to swing or pivot vertically in one direction only, either opening forward or backwards away from the doorway.

Sliding French patio doors are used often for entrances to backyards or gardens in homes or are used as entranceways for commercial structures. Beautiful, elegant and functional, the sliding glass door is a good choice if you have limited space. Custom sliding French doors are built with aluminum, wood or clad frames and you can find French doors in hundreds of colors.  The sliding French door can be installed to run the length of a room, allowing the light and natural settings from outdoors in while protecting your home from the elements such as heat, wind, rain and cold. The folding sliding French patio doors are like a sliding French door and bi-fold door combined. This design is perfect for expansive areas and adds style to any dining room or entertainment area, such as an oversized deck or patio.

French patio doors can be installed virtually anywhere in your home or business. They come with or without panes, standard or sliding and are available in bi-fold styles. You can opt for a variety of colors and styles of French patio doors to match your interior décor. Custom built French patio doors are built with wood, aluminum and steel and can be finished with bronze, stainless steel or brass. The hardware for your French patio doors is just as important as the door structure itself. The handles, locks, and even the tracking for sliding French patio doors can be custom ordered to match the interior of your home or business.  French patio doors have been redefined from the traditional French doors and they are extremely energy efficient, secure and attractive.

Choose your French patio door glass style and type from energy High-Performance™ Low-E4® Glass which is up to 56 percent more energy efficient in the summer or patterned glass for your French patio door. Patterned glass comes in styles like obscure, reed, cascade or fern glass patterns. Choosing the right glass for your French patio door not only adds energy efficiency but beauty to any room, patio or deck.

French patio doors can be an investment and are traditionally more expensive than regular doors but for a good reason. French patio doors aren’t limited to being a decorative element but they can reduce heating and cooling bills. Depending on the door size, you can spend as little as $300-$400 on a standard pair of pre-hung French patio doors if you are on a budget. Purchase your French patio doors at a hardware store and install them yourself to save money.  For sliding French patio doors or custom french patio doors that will accommodate your home interior such as french doors for large spaces, you can expect to spend much more for the custom installation of your French patio doors by a professional door installer.