French Doors: A Gateway to Vintage Elegance

September 14, 2024

Few design elements greet a home with an elevated look and feel quite like the timeless charm of French doors. Glass-paned doors allow for natural light to flow freely between rooms while offering a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. At Smith & DeShields, French doors are not just a functional feature but a statement in style, effortlessly pulling together vintage elegance and modern practicality.

Whether it involves renovating a single room or updating your entire home, adding French doors creates that touch of classic beauty to bring both interior and exterior aesthetics up several notches.

What is a French Door?

French doors, also known as French windows, are made of double panels framed with a number of glass panes. Conventionally hinged and designed to open either toward the inside of the home or the outside, these doors give the opening an airy, wide feeling. French doors are very popular for patios, living rooms, and the like.

While the name depicts a France origin, the actual design has its roots in the 16th-century European Renaissance. It is actually the Renaissance emphasis on symmetry, proportion, and light that led to the design of French doors, and it is this same emphasis that contributes to making them desirable today.

Why Choose French Doors?

• Timeless Aesthetic Appeal is probably the best reason to install French doors. The vintage appeal of the French door works in both traditional and modern settings and thus always remains appropriate and stylish for any homeowner looking to add style and class to any room. A combination of wood, metal, and glass allows French doors to function both as a functional feature and a design focal point.
• More Natural Light. French doors have long been synonymous with bringing natural light into the home. Their large glass panels maximize sunlight, brightening up your living area, thereby making it more interesting to your guests. Indeed, it is useful in rooms that lack windows or houses that seek a more open and continuous indoor-outdoor setting.
• Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Flow: In homes with patios, balconies, or garden areas, French doors provide a great transition between indoor and outdoor living areas. They can extend your living area when opened, creating a seamless flow between environments to entertain guests or simply take in views.
• Variety of Style: French doors come in a wide variety of fashions and materials that can be made to suit the thematic of your home. From intricately crafted wooden-framed doors to sleek metal frames with modern lines, there is a French door design that’s just right for you. Furthermore, these doors come in many different types of glass, such as clear, frosted, or stained glass, adding more character and personalization.
• Added Value to the Property: Other than their aesthetic and functional values, French doors can add a lot of value to your house. French doors make rooms look much larger and more luxurious. In addition, the outside world opens up better, which is something that will always matter when marketing your home.

French Doors: Not Just for Patios

French doors are typically associated with external entries to patios or gardens, but it’s actually quite a versatile design option that works equally well internally. Here’s where you can insert French doors on the inside of your home:

• Between Living Room and Dining Room: Creates an open feel between formal spaces, with the ability to separate when needed. French doors allow for closing off of rooms but retain visual flow.
• Home Office: For any home office, French doors provide just the right amount of openness and privacy. You can keep a quiet room and still let filtered natural light in from other rooms.
• As Closet Doors: Want to make your walk-in closet take on a boutique-style room? Try installing French doors with frosted or patterned glass to add an element of elegance and a touch of luxury.

Choosing the Right French Door for your House

If you want to choose French doors, it is good to ensure a suitable balance between style and functionality. A few tips to consider when choosing the right option include:

• Materials: French doors are made of various materials, such as wood, aluminum, and fiberglass. The traditional and warm look comes from the use of wood, while the more modern and industrial aesthetic comes from metal frames. Fiberglass doors are highly durable, add to energy efficiency, and are quite practical for exterior usage.
• Glass: Clear glass is perfect for letting in the maximum amount of natural light, but if there are problems with privacy, then the beauty of the door can be maintained with frosted or textured glass.
• Door Swing: Whether your doors open inward or outward will depend on the conditions. While saving space indoors is a big positive for outward-swinging doors, inward-swinging doors do tend to give a more classic feel.

Smith & DeShields

Choose from an unparalleled selection of doors, hardware, moulding and other architectural accents, as well as building supplies. Many of these are in stock, available immediately and are locally exclusive to Smith & DeShields. Quality permeates every facet of our business and it’s no different when it comes to choosing top-quality hardware.

For over 67 years, Smith & DeShields has been well-respected for evolving its product lines to match the latest technology, designs and hardware that stand the test of time. Contractors, architects, and homeowners alike are invited to experience the wide variety of quality products showcased in each of our four Florida showrooms. Visit SmithandDeShields.com to learn more.