Fiberglass French Doors

Origins

Their exterior wood and steel counterparts having originated in late Renaissance France (hence their name) and acquiring much greater acclaim in the latter half of the 1800s, fiberglass French doors are distinguished by an array of glass panes framed in wood or other material.

The technical term for the panels of glass is "sidelights" or "lights", and are akin to little windows in the doors. There are no set number of sidelights, so consumers may buy what they feel is comfortable or appropriate for their needs. While traditional doors were made with wooden frames, newer models are being made with fiberglass. Learn more on our site about sidelights.

The large fractional glass composition means these fiberglass exterior doors let in much more light than conventional doors, as well as provide a view to the outside. Because the glass allows the outside world to look into the house, the doors are usually placed in the back of the house, facing the backyard. As such, when placed into an exterior door position, the glass needs to be double paned to insulate the door against the greater thermal conductivity and radiation through glass. Consumers may also worry about the security of fiberglass french doors given that they can be broken easily to gain access to a house. Most manufacturers will give the option using tempered glass in the sidelights, which is about 5 times stronger than regular glass.

Fiberglass french doors used for the backyard or patio serve the function of highlighting one's garden and landscaping when viewing from the inside. At the same time letting more light into the house. Fiberglass french doo rs can also be placed in the interior of the house to separate two adjoining sections. They have the effect of giving the space an "enlarged" appearance but at the same time dividing it into two. Some people opt to fix the doors so they cannot be opened, but nevertheless give the appearance of a door that separates two rooms. In general, addition of a fiberglass french door is a good return on investment as it improves the look of a house and should fetch it a higher price on the market especially if the backyard or patio has been beautified.

In addition to the hinged and sliding variants, there are several configurations for french doors and fiberglass french doors.

• Double door - Most people think of the double door configuration. Two doors stand next to each other opening up in opposing directions.
• Bifold door - But there is also a "bifold" door, which has a swinging hinge as well as an overhead track which allows the door to slide open. The bifold is not the limit. More folds can be added to make a bigger door that when slid open is able to fold at several points.
• Single door - For walls that do not have sufficient space for double or multifold doors, consumers may install a single door either for interior or exterior use.
• Pocket door - A variant of the bifold sliding door, the pocket door simply slides into an opening in the wall. Like the single door it is a space saver especially for confined areas where an opening door may become obstructing.