| Introduced to American architecture in the 17th century, | | | | glass within a wood, fiberglass, or composite frame. |
| French doors have long been popular for providing | | | | Although popular in homes of contemporary style, |
| large amounts of natural light indoors. They remain | | | | these doors enhance French Colonial, Mediterranean, |
| popular today, and have undergone structural | | | | and California Spanish homes. Today's doors combine |
| enhancements for addressing concerns of home | | | | traditional styling with modern innovations in the |
| security and convenience. Although popular for use as | | | | following ways: |
| front and patio doors, French doors can also be used | | | | - improved locking mechanisms |
| indoors for providing barriers between rooms without | | | | - folding doors (structured similarly to bi-fold closet |
| reducing natural light. In fact, they don't need to be | | | | doors) |
| conventional doors; they can be sliding double glass | | | | - window treatments incorporated between panes of |
| that will use less space while creating the elegant look | | | | glass |
| you desire. While you probably don't want interior | | | | - rolling or sliding screens for use with open doors |
| French doors in every room, one or two carefully | | | | Dealers throughout the US and Canada can help you |
| placed sets will definitely add a touch of class to your | | | | find doors meeting your preferences and budget. You |
| home. | | | | can order them custom made for specific |
| The traditional design for French doors is two separate | | | | circumstances and can also find energy efficient types |
| doors that open from the middle; each consists of | | | | for your home. Whether used as exterior, or within |
| glass panes surrounded by a wooden frame. Individual | | | | your home's interior, French doors are available in |
| panes within the doors may be called panes or lites. | | | | styles to suit every architectural and decorative need. |
| Contemporary doors may consist of one solid panel of | | | | |