French Doors
San Francisco & the Peninsula

Two doors,
one wide opening

A French door is a pair of glass panels hinged at the sides. Open both and you get the full width of the opening, with no fixed panel in the way. Many have one active door for everyday use and a second that opens when you need the full width.

They swing either into the room or out onto the deck. Out-swing doors save floor space inside and press into their frame when wind pushes against them; in-swing doors are easier where a deck or stair landing is tight. Tempered safety glass is required in doors, and we order it as standard.

Why homeowners
choose them

• The full opening, with no fixed panel
• A classic look that suits Edwardians, Craftsman homes and traditional Peninsula houses
• Lots of glass, so a dim kitchen or dining room gets brighter
• Multi-point locks hold both doors tight
• Can include grids, sidelites, transoms and pet doors

What to know
before you choose

• Doors need room to swing, inside or out
• Two doors mean more weatherstripping to keep in good shape
• On a narrow SF deck or stair landing, a sliding French door may fit better

Where French doors fit
SF and Peninsula homes

• Kitchens and dining rooms opening to the back deck in Noe Valley, Bernal Heights and the Richmond
• Edwardian flats with back stairs down to a garden
• Craftsman and colonial homes in Burlingame, San Mateo and Palo Alto
• Bedrooms opening to a balcony
• Anywhere a sliding door looks too modern for the house

Where there isn’t room for a door to swing, a sliding French door gives you the look of French doors on a sliding track. Simonton and Alside both make one.

French doors from
the brands we carry

We’re an authorized dealer for all six brands we carry. Each brand below makes french doors; we’ll show you samples at the consultation.

• Milgard: Tuscany vinyl and C700 fiberglass swinging patio doors.
• Windsor: Pinnacle wood-clad in-swing and out-swing doors.
• Anlin: Malibu French doors with a 3-point lock and deadbolt.
• Simonton: Madeira French sliding doors, for tight spaces.
• Alside: Promenade sliding doors in a French style.