Installation

• Replacing patio doors with French doors opens up your outside space to the living area inside the home. Most French door installations require at least 2 people. French doors are generally purchased or delivered pre-hung, meaning the doors are already assembled and simply need to be fitted into the opening. Once the frame is installed and secured, you must seal the frame to the wall, in which it is attached. This will protect your indoor living space from the outside elements.
  
  

Types

• French Doors
  
  French doors hinge on the outside of two panels, with an identical system on the opposite side. The middle panels swing in or out. There are two popular types of exterior French doors, wood and vinyl. Modern wood-framed French doors usually will not crack or shrink. They will need to be painted, and a new coat of paint or stain will be required over time. Vinyl doors are very durable. They are easy to clean and require much less maintenance than wood doors.
  
  

Advantages

• French doors help conserve energy and save money on your electric bill. French doors today have double- and triple-pane coated glass. Weather stripping along the bottom of the door further protects from the elements (patio doors have no weather stripping).
  
  Another advantage of French doors is increased security. The windows are specially laminated with glass similar to that found in windshields. The windows can take up to 30 strikes of a baseball bat before a hole is created.
  
  

Disadvantages

• French doors swing in and thus take up living space indoors. If you select French doors that swing out, they will hinder your home security, because the locking mechanism is exposed. French doors also do not have screens, so if you leave your doors open, there is no barrier between indoors and the elements outside.