French doors are some of the most popular doors to use in a home today mainly because of their exquisite beauty. What sets these doors apart from other door types is the fact that they are constructed out of double-layered doors, which means that one can open inwards and the other outwards.
French doors can be used both inside and outside the home with interior doors being ideal for rooms such as the dining room; while exterior doors can work wonders for your patio. This article will focus on the various types of exterior French doors, to enable you to make the right choice for your home.
Exterior French doors are available in a variety of styles but mainly feature decorative or carved wood edges with stained or glazed glass. These doors are also normally available with double-paned glass which provides for better insulation. Below is a look at the various types of popular choices for exterior French doors you can choose for your home.
Hinged exterior French doors: These are 2 double doors which are hinged, thus enabling them to either open out of or into a room. For instance, if you use hinged French doors for your patio, the out swing doors will open onto your patio. You may opt for hinged French doors made out of decorative metal or ornate wood, along with decorative or clear glass. If you don't want the hassle of constant maintenance, go for the hinged doors made from vinyl or metal which do not have glass.
Pocket exterior French doors: These are ideal to use in rooms which do not have a lot of space to accommodate the swinging open of the doors. Pocket French doors will slide into the walls on either side of the door. When used for the patio, these doors slide off to the side which enables you to save on space if your patio is small, or in the event that you don't have adequate space for them to open in to the patio as well.
It is important to allow for enough space for the pockets and special construction that the exterior pocket French doors require on either wall. This will help to ensure that the doors are properly sealed and protected from the elements.
Bi-Fold and Multi-Fold Exterior French doors: These are accordion style doors with door panels which are hinged together and set onto a sliding track, which enables them to fold and slide to the side. Bi-fold and multi-fold exterior French doors are very attractive and stylish to have in any home. Bi-fold doors comprise of two panels which fold twice onto itself, while the multi-fold doors consist of smaller panels which fold three to four times onto themselves.
Both styles of doors are ideal for use in small rooms and spaces as they do not take up too much room. These doors nevertheless require special construction which will ensure that the doors remain sealed and protected from the vagaries of the weather. To find out more about French doors visit the Savoy Doors shop.
