Have you ever wondered about the origin of French doors or why they were called ‘French’ in the first place? What comes to mind first when you think of French doors? Do you imagine beauty, elegance, a lavish price tag, or all of the above? Let’s address all these questions below, as well as why they are so popular.
French doors, also sometimes referred to as French windows, are light doors with glass panes extending almost the door’s full length. These doors usually come in pairs and consist of single-paned pieces of glass and wood similar to windows.
The Origin of French Doors
French doors date as far back as the 17th Century when the French were at war with the Italians. During this same period, Italy was going through a Renaissance period where Italian artists and architects were studying proportions, geometry, and symmetry. The architects initially designed windows that would just about reach the floor. These windows were strategically situated near balconies to allow maximum light to come into adjacent rooms.
As time went on, this design became very popular due to its versatility and elegance. The French soon learned of this Renaissance model and began adopting some of the findings into their own architectural designs. It is from these findings that French windows and doors were born. They originally consisted of sizable individual glass panes combined with wood and crafted to become windows that would sometimes serve as doors. As their popularity grew, French windows were later incorporated into doors to further enhance their ability to brighten up living spaces. These doors came to replace the initial wooden doors that would link one room to another.
As electricity was yet to be discovered during this era, windows served as a home’s primary tool in lighting itself naturally. However, as the glass industry grew, people started to introduce small windows into their doors to allow for further light. Towards the end of the 17th Century, this design was also adopted in England and later in the US. In New York particularly, this style blossomed and eventually evolved into stained-glass windows with floral and animal motifs.
So why are they still referred to as “French” in the 21st century? Well, the answer is simple: historical prestige. Calling these doors French as opposed to simply patio doors brings with it an association with luxury and foreign opulence. However, these days, any window that opens outward can also be referred to as a French window.
Purpose of French Doors
Depending on their placement, French doors serve a variety of purposes. The most apparent goal is to separate one space from another, as all doors do. However, the difference with other doors is that interior French doors create a sense of privacy to your living space without necessarily confining it. You can partition your home office from your lounge area in a discrete and not so straightforward manner. You can then open these doors when you wish to interact with people in another room and close them when you seek privacy.
Both interior and exterior French doors allow for natural light to come into spaces that otherwise may not receive any.
Modern French Doors
The Industrial Revolution introduced the incorporation of wrought iron to the typical wooden French door design. However, as time went on and the glass industry expanded, these doors have become more elaborate. Nowadays, French doors are not only made of wood, but also vinyl, fiberglass, and aluminum among others. In modern-day luxury homes, you can find casement windows that extend to upper-level floors. These windows further add elegance and light into the house. Much like original French windows, casement windows light up staircases and enhance the flow of light into the rest of the house.
Other than casement windows, French doors have evolved into a creative variety of designs such as pocket design, bi-fold, multi-fold, and sliding doors.
♦ Pocket French doors
They save you precious space by sliding and “disappearing” into walls rather than opening on a hinge like traditional doors.
♦ Bi-fold doors
They entail two to four sections that fold into pairs. In essence, these doors constitute multiple panels that fold back on themselves to open up space. These doors operate on runners that allow them to slide and fold at the same time seamlessly. When used in busy entranceways, however, a different configuration is applied.
A feature referred to as a “traffic door” is introduced into the bi-fold system. This door is like standard doors that sit on a hinge and is operated using a handle or lever. Its purpose is to allow quick and easy access to the adjacent space without having to fold and slide all door panels in the bi-fold system. They provide a perfect and dramatic way of combining your indoor and outdoor living spaces.
♦ Multi-fold French doors
They borrow heavily from bi-fold doors. However, they are much larger than bi-fold doors and divide large spaces like social halls. They are used to separate large areas that require folding doors.
♦ Sliding French Doors
Much like the term, sliding French doors operate by smoothly sliding the panels along an aluminum track to stack on one side or both ends neatly. If you’re looking for entries that create the illusion of more space, then sliding doors are the way to go. Not only are they the perfect solution for patios and balconies with limited space, but they also add a modern touch to any home.
Benefits of French Doors
French doors have remained popular over the centuries, and their timeless design stands out as a featured selling point for any home. Their versatility to be used both internally and externally makes them a preferred choice by architects, interior designers, and civil engineers alike. Let’s get into details of what this versatility is all about.
♦ Reducing Energy Consumption
While original French doors pride themselves in their ability to bring in light and air, modern French doors have graduated into energy-efficient and cost-effective tools. How so? Well, manufacturers have introduced a tight-sealing feature, weather proofing for exterior wooden doors, and glazed glass that ensures energy conservation.
For those who reside in cities among skyscrapers, the absence of natural light in a household usually leads to high energy consumption. The amount of sunlight you get in the house throughout the day determines the length of time you will need to switch your lights on during the day.
The average American household consumes 867 kWh per month. Any higher than this rate should equate to an unusually large household. Otherwise, utilizing any more than this would mean that your home is probably not optimally energy efficient, or your light bulbs are probably on for extended periods of time. Either way, you’ll be paying unnecessarily high electricity bills. Moving into a house with French doors or replacing your current doors with them can earn you more natural light and, in turn, reduce your electricity bill.
Before you decide, let’s delve into a factor that could be overlooked but warrants serious consideration: light. Have you ever lived in a house or apartment that received little to no natural light throughout the day? These dwellings often feel cold and dark, in turn requiring extra energy usage to both warm and light the space. As previously stated, more energy usage leads to unnecessarily high electricity bills.
♦ Lighting Up Homes
Let’s assume that you’re venturing into becoming a homeowner. Your agent takes you to view two houses on the market. The first house is very close to the beach in San Diego and has a fantastic view.
However, these views can only be seen from the balcony because the windows are small. The second house, on the other hand, is a little further away from the beach but has full-length windows and French doors allowing you to see both the beach and the city from anywhere inside the house. So, which one of the two would you pick?
For those who typically work from home (especially during this pandemic), natural light allows for better focus, therefore, enhancing your productivity. Natural light also helps with reducing anxiety, stress, blood pressure, and energy consumption. It also aids in improving your body’s immune system and provides you with sufficient vitamin D. And doesn’t natural sunlight contribute to happiness? When we expose ourselves to natural sunlight, it is suggested that our brain releases a hormone known as serotonin which leads to a calmer, more focussed self.
So back to the earlier question: house A or house B? Ample natural light and energy efficiency are key factors to consider when purchasing a house.
♦ Functionality
Modern French doors are used not only externally but also internally. If you’re hosting a party at your house, for instance, and want a separate entertainment space for adults and children, you can close your French doors without having to worry about the children’s whereabouts. This convenient functionality would otherwise not have been achievable with regular doors. French doors also create the illusion of space such that your rooms will seem more spacious than they are. Simply put, they are functional and impressive.
♦ Increasing Home Value
As mentioned earlier, French doors are not only aesthetically pleasing but they also create an air of elegance and class. Research has even proven this to be a fact. When buying a home, a house with French doors will have more value than a house with standard doors and windows.
Installing French doors instantly upgrades the value of your home. It is even more impressive to buyers when the French doors are in the frontal view of your house. This smart trick significantly increases your home’s curb appeal and creates an automatic first impression of class and elegance to potential buyers.
♦ Versatility
Today’s French doors utilize materials other than wood. They include vinyl, fiberglass, aluminum and others. The versatility of these materials, in turn, means that your San Diego doors can match your interior design, whether you’re going for a classic, contemporary, industrial, or even an Art Deco feel.
French doors can also be customized to fit your space and home. They do not conform to specific dimensions, allowing you to incorporate them as you wish regardless of the age or size of your space.
♦ Elegance
When you incorporate French doors in your home, whether externally or internally, you instantaneously spruce up and improve your house’s aesthetics. A once simple house soon becomes a hot topic of discussion amongst your family, friends and neighbors.
♦ Forever Trendy
French doors can truly be referred to as timeless. They have continued to impress generation after generation with their versatility and beauty. Whether you wish your home to resemble an English cottage or modern architectural marvel, investing in French doors will ensure that your home remains a hot commodity for years to come.
In Summary
Modern architects, engineers, and designers owe a great deal to their ancestral counterparts for coming up with a concept that ages like a fine wine. The versatility of materials used to manufacture French doors makes them that much more pleasing and flexible to the many interior design themes available. So, whether you choose sliding doors, folding doors, or pocket doors, French doors are sure to improve the aesthetics of your living or working space instantly.
If you’re looking to purchase premium quality doors and windows, US Window & Door is the way to go. Thanks to over three decades of experience, our team of experts has ensured time and time again that our products and services remain superior in the market while giving our clients maximum security. Our service list includes replacing windows, patio doors, and front doors. Contact us for an online quote or a free evaluation and estimate for your project. We look forward to serving you.
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