A double door (also called French doors) is a door consisting of two swinging leaves (panels) each hinged on opposite sides of the frame. Both leaves swing in the same direction (usually inward) and meet in the middle. Double doors are used when you want a wide opening.
Types of double doors
| Type | Features | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Equal leaves | Two equally wide doors | Living room, conservatory, garden |
| Unequal leaves | One wide + one narrow door | Main door + side panel |
| Rebated doors | With overlapping edge | Exterior doors, wind/watertight |
| Flush doors | Without overlap, clean joint | Interior doors, modern |
| French garden doors | With glass, opening outward | Garden, balcony |
Double door vs. sliding door
| Feature | Double door | Sliding door |
|---|---|---|
| Space needed | Swing arc for both leaves | No swing space |
| Opening | Full width when both open | Maximum half width |
| Appearance | Classic, stately | Modern, sleek |
| Insulation | Good (with proper hardware) | Depends on track type |
| Cost | €€ | €€-€€€ |
Installing a double door — key points
- Frame must be level and square — Otherwise the leaves won’t close properly
- Espagnolette bolt — The locking mechanism that secures the passive leaf top and bottom
- Threshold — Important for exterior doors for weather sealing
- Hinges — Minimum 3 hinges per leaf for heavy doors
Active and passive leaf
- Active leaf — The door you use daily (with the door handle)
- Passive leaf — Usually stays fixed, locked with an espagnolette bolt top and bottom. Only opened when you need the full width
Common mistakes
- Frame not square — Doors don’t close properly, light and draughts along the joint
- Too few hinges — Heavy doors will sag
- No threshold on exterior doors — Water runs inside
Related terms
- Door frame
- Threshold
- Hinge
- Glazing
- Door hardware