As we’re gearing up for spring exterior remodeling season, our sales techs have been speaking with homeowners here in the Minneapolis area about energy-efficient exterior doors. In this post we’d like to focus on one particular style of door: the French door. This type of door has been around since the 1600s, and it actually was developed in France – hence the name. While these doors are used both as interior and exterior doors, we’re going to discuss their use as entry and patio doors.
Marvin Ultimate Swing French Doors
The 1600s are commonly known as the Renaissance, and one of the hallmarks of the architecture of that time is daylight flooding buildings, especially homes. The original French doors were in fact windows – floor to ceiling casement windows mounted side by side, opening the opposite direction. (Once they began to be used in the U.S., they were referred to as French doors rather than windows.)
The French door – a double door with either full or partial glass – allows a lot more natural light in than the traditional door. This point is particularly important, because a current trend over the past few years is maximizing daylight through the use of certain types of doors and windows. You’ll note in the photo here the French doors are given an extra bit of help with the coordinating overhead fixed window.
But in addition to more light, French doors have some distinct advantages. The door opening is double that of the traditional door, which can facilitate moving larger pieces of furniture in and out. When used as an alternative to the traditional sliding patio door, the same thing is true. The larger opening can make it easier to bring the outdoors in.
Though a traditional door style, the French door has some modern options available as well. The doors shown above are great for older and historic homes, with the grids. But more up-to-date French doors are also available, with no grilles or grids. Shown below is the Elevate Swing Door from Marvin.
One thing to note from both photos is that French doors can be configured to swing in or swing out, depending on space needs as well as function. Or you may choose to have each door swing the opposite direction. A third option is hardware that allows one side to be fixed and only one side opens (but the hardware can be positioned such that both sides are operable when needed).
French doors are available from all our partner door manufacturers. We’re featuring the Marvin doors in this post because we are a Marvin Authorized Replacement Contractor. As a Certified Installer for ProVia, we offer their French doors as well. If you’d like to find out more about how French doors can transform your entry areas, contact us today for a free consultation either in your home or at our Savage door and window showroom.
Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.
