Interior French doors can transform any home from ordinary to extraordinary. These elegant doors, with multiple glass panels framed in wood, exude sophistication. Whether you're renovating or building new, interior French doors could be just what you're looking for.
What Makes Interior French Doors Special?
Interior French doors are known for a signature design: several divided glass lights mimicking a window. In fact, the actual French word for this door is a "porte-fenetre," which literally means "window door". Unlike solid doors that block the flow of light, French doors visually connect rooms and spaces.
The glass panels serve a dual purpose. They allow natural light to flow between rooms, making your home lighter and brighter. At the same time, they maintain a sense of separation that open floor plans sometimes lack. This balance makes French doors ideal for home offices, dining rooms, play rooms, or TV rooms. Anywhere that you'd like to block sound but not light, a French door is a sleek solution.
Traditional Wood French Doors
Wood French doors are a safe choice for homeowners looking to make an upgrade because of their classic beauty. Hardwoods like White Oak or Sapele keep these doors looking traditional. Interior doors work particularly well in traditional or Craftsman-style homes. But your choice of material or stain helps them adapt to other styles.
The primary advantage of traditionally built wooden French doors is their longevity. And for a design as classic as a French door, isn't that the whole idea--to only have to replace your doors once, so they'll look good for decades?
Modern French Doors
Contemporary takes on interior double doors with glass emphasize clean lines and minimal ornamentation. For Scandinavian inspired minimalism, opt for a blond wood like Maple and a sheer white stain. For something more modern, dark-stained Black Walnut or naturally crimson Padauk add an unexpected edge. Interior modern French doors also benefit from unusual glass types, like fluted or a gridded “grille” pattern. Contemporary French doors are all about the beauty of your chosen materials and avoiding ornamentation, such as beveled edges.
Interior Glass French Doors
Since the glass is so important to the overall design of the doors, consider which type is best for your unique application. Clear glass is of course going to allow for the most light to pass through, while frosted, textured, or decorative glass options provide slightly more privacy.
Glass quality matters for both appearance and safety. Tempered glass resists breakage and, if it does break, shatters into small pieces rather than dangerous shards. However, certain kinds of specialty glass are only available as annealed glass. This means it is not tempered. For interior doors this is less of a concern overall, but you’ll want to double check your local building codes.
How Much Are French Doors?
French door pricing varies considerably based on materials, size, and construction quality. The highest quality solid wood French doors start at $2400. Installation costs add another $300-600 for professional work.
Several factors influence the final price. Custom sizing increases costs compared to standard dimensions. Solid wood costs more composite materials—because it wears better and lasts longer. More complex glass patterns or specialty glazing also raise prices. High quality hardware affects both cost and long-term performance.
We always recommend budgeting for installation when planning your project. While handy homeowners might tackle it themselves, proper installation ensures doors operate smoothly and seal correctly.
Inside French Doors, The RealCraft Way
Shown here with leaded glass, available upon request.
Our interior French style doors come in swinging door and sliding barn door variations. Each one is built to order from solid wood. We never use "on core" materials in our door construction--no MDF, plywood, or other composite material. Just the real thing. Because we believe that you deserve the real thing.
Our French doors also come in your choice of twenty wood species. From classic American hardwoods like Black Walnut or Cherry, to exotic imports like Zebrawood or Sapele, you can customize your doors so they seamlessly incorporate into your home. We also offer wood stains from Osmo, a low-maintenance and naturally derived wood finish. Our French doors are available as single door slabs or you can order them in pairs for wider door openings. You have control of every detail--we can even source specialty or custom glass.
Shop our French sliding barn doors and French swinging doors today.
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