What is a Double French Door?

A French door is a type of swinging door which is partly made of glass. It is designed to brighten interior spaces by allowing the passage of light. Double French doors consist of a pair of leaves (hinged swinging panels) which, when closed, generally fit together in a male/female fashion: that is, the outer edge of one leaf fits into a groove in the outer edge of the other, and the two are secured together with a latch. In French homes, this latch usually has a turning mechanism controlled by a round or oval knob on the inside. Often the door can swing both inward and outward; when it opens outward, each leaf may be held against the wall with a removable bolt to prevent it from closing unexpectedly in the wind.

A double French door is wider than a single door, making it ideal for larger doorways. The leaves can be designed in different ways. In the simplest design, a single large pane of glass is set within each leaf of the door. Alternatively, the leaves may be constructed with a series of mullions (narrow vertical boards) and rails (narrow horizontal boards) which divide each leaf into a series of panels. In French doors these panels will be made of glass rather than wood, forming small windows sometimes known as "lights."

Double French doors are often used in interior spaces such as kitchens or bedrooms, and may be constructed with rippled glass or covered with curtains for privacy. They may also employ double-plated glass for better insulation and greater security. When used as exterior doors, they will normally open onto a balcony or veranda.

Stylistically, double French doors are often seen as a distinctly "Old-World" architectural feature which adds an appearance of hospitality, harmony and relaxed elegance.