French Patio Doors: Bringing the Beautiful Summer Weather Indoors

Published: April 04, 2022

By the Estate Millwork Design Team | Craftsmen since 1997

Are you looking for unique yet classic doors for your patio? When it comes to interior/exterior patio doors wooden French doors are a great option here as they not only provide you with the most creative option for this space but also allow the beautiful exterior views and sunlight in.

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Choosing and Installing

The most important piece of choosing and installing French doors is whether they will swing outwards onto the patio or inwards into your home, and most importantly is there space in the swing direction for the doors to open. Compared to sliding doors or even a single standard door. French doors require considerably more space to open, to figure out how much space a set of French doors will require after installation, simply measure the door width and create a layout radius the door will take when opening. Keep this radius in mind when choosing your new doors tomake sure there won't be any furniture in the way of the doors preventing them from fully functioning.

Benefits of French Doors

Wooden French doors are a great choice to boost the beauty of your home, Estate Millwork offers French doors in several different designs and wood types. Our French doors are fully customizable from style, size, to wood species and finish among other things, making each door truly unique to you and your home. Adding French doors to your patio entrance will improve ease of access between your home and patio with two lane movement versus single lane you would get from other door types. French patio doors will really open your home up to your patio and the outdoors with sunlight and spectacular views that only french doors can bring to you and your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What wood species work best for interior doors?

Poplar is the most popular choice for painted interior doors due to its smooth grain and affordability. For stained doors, Red Oak, Maple, Cherry, and Walnut each offer distinctive grain patterns and color tones. The best species depends on whether you plan to paint or stain.

How are custom wood doors different from big-box store doors?

Custom wood doors are built to your exact dimensions using solid hardwood and traditional joinery methods like mortise and tenon. Big-box store doors are typically hollow-core or use engineered materials. Custom doors offer superior sound insulation, durability, and a solid feel that mass-produced doors cannot match.

Can I order a custom door in a non-standard size?

Yes. Estate Millwork builds every door to your specified width and height. Whether you need a narrow pantry door, an oversized entry door, or a door to fit a historic opening with non-standard dimensions, we can accommodate your requirements.

What door styles does Estate Millwork offer?

We offer louvered, raised panel, flat panel, French, barn, arched, and mission style doors. Each style is available in multiple wood species and can be ordered painted or unfinished. Our online designer lets you configure every detail and see an instant price quote.

Design Considerations for Custom Wood Doors

Measure the rough opening, not the existing door, when ordering a replacement. Include the width, height, and wall thickness so the door and jamb fit correctly.
For high-traffic areas like kitchens and hallways, choose a harder wood species like White Oak or Maple that resists dents and wear better than softer species.
Louvered doors are an excellent choice for closets, laundry rooms, and utility spaces because the slats promote air circulation, reducing moisture buildup and musty odors.
When matching new doors to existing trim, bring a sample of your current wood or finish to compare. Estate Millwork offers the same species and can match stain colors for a cohesive look.