French doors supplied and fitted across West Yorkshire
French Doors
French doors are two opening leaves meeting in the middle. One fixed, one active, or both opening. They’re one of the oldest and best ways to open a room out to a garden, patio, or conservatory, and they still sell in volume for a reason: they work.
French doors supplied and fitted across West Yorkshire, in uPVC, in flush Omnia for period properties, and in aluminium for contemporary extensions. Full supply and fit service, no handoffs.
When French doors are the right choice
Openings between 1.2 and 2.1 metres wide
Narrower than that and a single door is usually better. Wider than that and a sliding patio or bifold gives more opening. French doors hit the sweet spot for most rear elevations on Yorkshire semis and terraces.
Traditional or period properties
The two-leaf opening suits Victorian and Edwardian terraces, stone cottages, and 1930s semis better than large sliding or folding doors. The proportion matches the era.
Where you want both leaves to open
Unlike a patio door that slides sideways, both leaves of a French door can open outward (or inward) at once, giving you a full clear opening with nothing in the middle. Good for moving garden furniture, wheelbarrows, or oversized plants.
When the outward swing isn’t a problem
Most French doors open outward into the garden. If you have patio furniture right up against the door, a patio or bifold might work better. If you have space to swing, French doors are usually the simpler choice.
Three material options
uPVC French doors
The standard choice. Cost-effective, low maintenance, available in the same colour and finish range as our window products. Multi-point locking, weather-sealed, and 10-year guarantee*.
Omnia flush sash French doors
Our premium flush sash option for period properties. Slimmer sightlines, better hardware, and a profile that suits traditional homes where chunky uPVC would look wrong.
Aluminium French doors
Slim sightlines, maximum glass, contemporary finish. Suits modern extensions, open-plan kitchens, and design-led renovations. Available in any RAL colour.
What you get from a Calder French door fit
Proper hardware
Multi-point locking on both leaves, anti-bump and anti-snap cylinder protection, and Chubb locks on most ranges. French doors are often a back-of-house access point, and security needs to match.
Weather performance
The middle seal between the two leaves is where cheap French doors fail. We fit ranges with high-performance weather seals and brush strips that stop the draughts and the driving rain.
Thermal efficiency
A-rated double glazing as standard, with 40mm triple glazing available on most ranges.
Threshold options
Standard, low-threshold, or flush-threshold options depending on whether the doors lead onto a patio, a deck, or an internal conservatory.
Colours, finishes, and glass
Same palette as our windows and main door ranges. Anthracite grey, white, black, cream, chartwell green, Irish oak, rosewood, and any RAL colour on aluminium.
Glass options include clear, obscured, leaded, decorative, and Georgian bar effects. Georgian bars especially suit period properties where the doors need to read as traditional.
The install
French door installation is usually a day on site for a standard replacement. Longer if the opening is being widened or structural work is involved.
Every install is FENSA-signed off and comes with a 10-year guarantee* on most products.
French door FAQs
Can French doors open outward or inward?
Both. Outward is the default in the UK because it maximises internal space. Inward is possible and sometimes preferred if the outside area is cramped.
Which leaf opens first?
Typically the “active” leaf, which has the lock and handle. The second “passive” leaf is held closed by shoot-bolts at the top and bottom and is released when you need the full opening.
Are French doors secure?
Yes, with proper specification. Multi-point locking, reinforced hinge plates, and internally glazed panels are standard on our ranges.
What’s the difference between French doors and patio doors?
French doors have two hinged leaves that swing open. Sliding patio doors have leaves that slide sideways on a track. Different mechanisms, different looks, different uses.
Can I have a wider opening with French doors plus side panels?
Yes. Two French door leaves plus one or two side panels is a common configuration for wider openings where bifolds would be overkill.
