Pair layout
Equal or unequal leaves
The opening, preferred visual symmetry and everyday access determine whether the two leaves should match in width.
Double-door configurations →Doors Dublin Guide · French Doors
French Doors Planning Guide
This guide explains what needs to be decided before a French-door project is ordered or fabricated. It is the planning companion to French Doors Dublin: start with the opening, then coordinate the two leaves, frame, material, glazing, hinges, locks, threshold, finish and installation as one system.
Step 1 · Start with the opening
Measure the complete opening — not just one existing leaf.
The useful starting point is the overall width and height, the condition and depth of the frame, floor level, threshold, wall finish and available swing space. On a replacement job, the existing pair may not be equal, square or centred, so both leaves and the frame need to be considered together.
Opening width & height
Measure the full structural or finished opening at several points.
Measure the full structural or finished opening at several points.
Frame condition
Decide whether the existing frame can remain or a matching new frame is the better route.
Decide whether the existing frame can remain or a matching new frame is the better route.
Floor & threshold
Check floor finishes, clearance, external thresholds and any weather detail before final sizing.
Check floor finishes, clearance, external thresholds and any weather detail before final sizing.
Swing space
Confirm how both leaves open and whether furniture, walls, steps or circulation affect the layout.
Confirm how both leaves open and whether furniture, walls, steps or circulation affect the layout.
Step 2 · Decide how the pair works
Choose the active leaf, meeting point and opening direction.
French doors are a paired system. One leaf is often used every day while the second is opened when a wider clear opening is needed. Equal leaf widths are common, but unequal pairs can be appropriate when the opening or daily access suggests it.
Daily use
Active & secondary leaf
Plan which leaf is normally used first, where bolts or locking points sit, and how the secondary leaf is released.
Opening configuration →Movement
Opening direction
Door swing affects circulation, handles, hinges, furniture and how the pair meets the room or exterior space.
Door opening direction →
Step 3 · Choose the material
Timber, aluminium and metal French doors solve different jobs.
Timber suits classic painted, glazed and natural interior or exterior pairs. Aluminium works well for made-to-order slim-profile and design-led systems, with powder coating as a strong standard finish. Mild steel can be used for fabricated architectural pairs and normally favours powder coating. Stainless steel can be used where the design calls for the material itself to be part of the finish.
For bespoke aluminium or metal French doors, decorative CNC laser- or plasma-cut panels may also be considered where the design and engineering allow it.
Step 4 · Internal or external?
The location changes the specification.
Internal French doors often focus on room connection, light, privacy and appearance. External French doors also need the correct threshold, seals, weather exposure, glazing and entrance-system details. The same visual style can therefore require a very different construction depending on where the pair is installed.
Internal
Room-to-room French doors
Plan light, privacy, acoustic expectations, floor clearance, handles and the relationship with surrounding joinery.
Internal French doors →External
Garden & entrance pairs
Weather exposure, threshold, seals, glazing and the full external doorset specification become more important.
External French doors →Glazing
Light, privacy & glass layout
Clear, privacy, decorative and other suitable glazing layouts should be selected around location and the chosen door system.
French-door glazing →Step 5 · Frame & hardware
The frame, hinges, locks and meeting detail must be planned together.
A good pair depends on accurate frame geometry and stable alignment. Hinge quantity and type must suit the leaf material and weight, while handles, locks, flush bolts or other locking points need to be coordinated with the active and secondary leaf before final preparation.
Frame
Existing or new frame
Reuse is possible where the frame is sound, square and suitable; custom projects often benefit from a new matching frame.
Frame planning →Hinges
Visible or concealed
Hinge selection depends on leaf weight, material, frame construction, opening angle and the desired appearance.
Hinge options →Locks & handles
Coordinate both leaves
Handle height, latch/lock positions and secondary-leaf restraint should be resolved as part of the complete pair.
Door hardware planning →Step 6 · Finish & colour
Choose the finish after the material is decided.
Paint and coating choices are not interchangeable across all materials. Timber may use paint, lacquer, oil or clear systems. Aluminium commonly uses powder coating, with specialist wet-paint or automotive-style finishes possible on suitable projects. Fabricated mild steel normally favours powder coating. Stainless steel can use brushed, polished, satin or matt metal finishes.
Before contacting Doors Dublin
A few useful details make the first conversation easier.
1. Photo of the full opening
Include the frame and surrounding wall/floor if possible.
Include the frame and surrounding wall/floor if possible.
2. Approximate width & height
Exact fabrication dimensions can be confirmed later.
Exact fabrication dimensions can be confirmed later.
3. Internal or external
This immediately changes the material, glazing and threshold discussion.
This immediately changes the material, glazing and threshold discussion.
4. Preferred material
Timber, aluminium, steel, stainless — or simply say you are not sure yet.
Timber, aluminium, steel, stainless — or simply say you are not sure yet.
5. Style & glazing
Traditional, minimal, decorative metalwork, clear glass, privacy glass or another direction.
Traditional, minimal, decorative metalwork, clear glass, privacy glass or another direction.
6. Finish & colour
White, dark tones, powder-coated colour, natural timber, polished/brushed metal or a design-led finish.
White, dark tones, powder-coated colour, natural timber, polished/brushed metal or a design-led finish.
Doors Dublin can help from planning through supply and fitting. You do not need a technical specification before contacting us. A photo, approximate measurements and a description of the result you want are enough to start. For the full product overview, return to French Doors Dublin; for pricing details, use the single quote form on the homepage.