French patio doors
French doors that open your home to the lanai — the full width
French doors bring a classic, architectural look to the back of the house and open the entire width of the doorway — something a slider can never do. We install inswing and outswing pairs, single doors with sidelites, and convert tired sliders into French doors, with impact-rated glass when you want it.
- Inswing or outswing
- Full-width opening
- Grilles & blinds options
- Slider conversions
- Locally owned & operated
- Licensed & insured
- Permits & inspections handled
- Written workmanship warranty
- Free written estimates
The classic way to open up to the lanai
French doors are hinged glass doors, usually in pairs, that meet in the middle. Open them both and the entire doorway is clear — a real advantage over a slider, where one panel always blocks half the opening. They bring daylight, symmetry and a touch of architecture to family rooms, primary suites and dining rooms that open onto a patio or pool.
Swing direction is the big decision
In Central Florida, most of the French doors we install swing out. When wind presses on an outswing door, it pushes the door harder into its weatherstripping instead of prying it away, and the sill design sheds water more easily. Outswing doors also leave your interior floor free for furniture. They do need clear space outside — so we check the screen door, lanai furniture and any steps before recommending them.
Inswing French doors are the traditional choice and make sense on sheltered, covered lanais where there is room inside for the leaves to open.
Converting a slider to French doors
This is one of our most popular projects. We remove the slider, adjust the opening to suit a French door unit, install and flash the new doors, and finish the stucco, drywall and trim. The result feels like a completely different room.
Why french patio doors
Why homeowners choose French doors
A wider opening
Open both leaves and the whole doorway is clear — perfect for entertaining and moving furniture.
Timeless style
Divided lites, slim stiles and classic hardware add character that sliders cannot match.
Tighter weather seal
Hinged doors compress against weatherstripping when they close, and outswing pairs seal tighter under wind pressure.
Secure multipoint locking
Quality French doors lock at the head, sill and center — far more secure than a single slider latch.
Styles & configurations
French door configurations
Plan views from above showing how each option swings.
Outswing pair
The most popular choice in Florida. Keeps interior floor space free and seats against the frame under wind pressure.
Inswing pair
The traditional look. Needs clear room inside for both leaves and careful attention to the sill on exposed openings.
Single door with sidelite
One operating door and a fixed glass panel — the French look for narrower openings.
Active + inactive pair
Use one leaf day to day and open the second when you need the full width.
Where they work best
Where French doors shine
Screened lanais and courtyards
Outswing French doors pair beautifully with a pool cage or covered patio.
Traditional and Mediterranean homes
Divided lites and classic hardware suit the architecture.
Entertainers
Open both leaves and the room flows straight onto the lanai.
Replacing a tired slider
One of our most requested conversions — often with impact glass for storm season.
Florida code & climate
French doors and Florida weather
Swing direction matters more here than almost anywhere. Outswing doors are pushed into their frame by wind pressure and are the usual choice on exposed openings; inswing doors need a sill with good water resistance and a sheltered location. Outswing doors use hinges with non-removable pins for security.
How impact ratings work- Outswing pairs need clear space outside — check screen doors, furniture and steps.
- Laminated impact glass is available in most French door lines, including with grilles.
- Blinds-between-glass keeps shades dust-free and away from Florida humidity.
- Every French door we install carries Florida Product Approval for your design pressure.
Before you order
Before you order French doors
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Swing direction
Map the swing inside and out. Outswing is usually the better performer in Florida weather.
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Grilles
Grilles-between-the-glass are easy to clean; simulated divided lites look more authentic.
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Glass
Low-E for heat, laminated for impact and sound, and privacy or blinds-between-glass where needed.
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Opening size
Converting from a slider? Standard French door sizes may need minor reframing to fit.
French doors vs. sliding glass doors
| French doors | Sliding doors | |
|---|---|---|
| Opening width | Full width with both leaves open | About half the width |
| Space needed | Swing clearance inside or outside | None — panels slide |
| Weather seal | Excellent, especially outswing | Good with a quality sill |
| Look | Classic and architectural | Clean and contemporary |
| Relative cost | $$ – $$$ | $ – $$$ |
What's included
Every French door installation includes
One company handles the product, the permit and the installation — so one company is accountable for the result.
- Free in-home measurement and a written, itemized quote
- Building permit, product approval paperwork and inspection scheduling
- Floor and furniture protection throughout the job
- Removal and disposal of the old door and frame
- Slider-to-French conversions include reframing, stucco and drywall work, quoted up front
- Sill set on a pan or sealant bed and flashed at the jambs and head
- Hinges, astragal, flush bolts and multipoint lock adjusted with you
- Clean-up, hardware adjustment and a walkthrough with you
- Written workmanship warranty plus manufacturer warranty registration
Typical investment
What french patio doors cost
| French patio doors (pair) | $3,000 – $9,000 |
|---|
Illustrative installed ranges for typical Central Florida projects, including standard removal, installation and trim. Your written quote is the only number that counts — size, glass, impact rating, hardware, finish and opening condition all move the price.
Read the full cost guideHow your project runs
Call → in-home measure → written quote → order & permit → installation → inspection & walkthrough.
See our full processQuestions
French Doors: frequently asked questions
Should French doors swing in or out in Florida?
Outswing is usually the better choice on exposed openings because wind pressure pushes the door into its frame and the sill sheds water more effectively. Inswing works well under a covered, sheltered lanai when you have room inside.
Can you replace my sliding door with French doors?
Yes. It is a very common conversion. Because sizes differ, it may take some reframing and trim work, which we include in the quote.
Are French doors secure?
Modern French doors use multipoint locks and bolts at the head and sill, plus security hinges on outswing doors. They are typically more secure than older sliders.
Can French doors be impact-rated?
Yes. Impact-rated French doors are available with laminated glass, grilles and blinds-between-glass options.
What are "sliding French doors"?
Sliding doors styled with wide stiles and grilles to look like French doors. They save swing space but do not open the full width.
Compare
Related door types
Sliding Glass Doors
Two-, three- and four-panel sliders to the lanai or pool — smooth rollers, Low-E glass, impact options.
Explore sliding glass doorsMulti-Slide & Pocketing Doors
Wide glass walls whose panels stack or vanish into the wall — the ultimate indoor-outdoor opening.
Explore multi-slide doorsImpact & Hurricane Doors
Entry, patio and garage doors tested against wind-borne debris — protection with no shutters to hang.
Explore impact & hurricane doorsBi-Fold Glass Doors
Accordion-style glass panels that fold to the side and clear almost the whole opening.
Explore folding glass wallsDoor guides
Read before you buy
Sliding Glass Doors vs. French Doors: Which Is Right for Your Lanai?
Opening width, space, weather sealing, security, cost and style — how sliders and French doors compare for Central Florida patios and pool lanais.
Inswing vs. Outswing Doors: Why Direction Matters in Florida
Why so many Florida entry and patio doors swing out, when an inswing door still makes sense, and how swing direction affects wind, water, space and security.
Low-E, Impact & Privacy Glass: Choosing Door Glass for Florida
How Low-E, laminated impact glass, privacy textures, decorative glass, blinds-between-glass and grilles compare for sunny Central Florida doors.
Service areas
French Doors installed across Central Florida
We install french patio doors throughout Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake and inland Volusia counties.
Ready to price your French door?
Tell us which doors you want to change. Your in-home estimate is free, comes with a written price, and there is never any pressure to decide on the spot.
Military, first-responder & senior discounts available.