How Much Does it Cost to Install French Doors?

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French doors draw light into a home and add an elegant look to complement any space. The cost to install French doors ranges from $2,000 to $5,000, with the national average at $3,500.

Highlights

• The typical cost to install French doors ranges between $2,000 and $5,000, with a national average cost of $3,500.
• Some of the main factors that influence French door installation cost include the door size, type, and material; the glass type; the hardware type; the installation location; and the cost of labor.
• French doors have many benefits, including security, customization options, versatility, functionality, increased natural light, and a potentially increased home value.
• A handy homeowner may be able to install French doors on their own, but a professional can ensure a tight seal and install the doors quickly; some door manufacturers may also require their products to be installed by a pro for the warranty to be valid.

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Installing French doors is an excellent option for homeowners who want to create a bright and airy atmosphere in their home. These glass-paneled doors can be used on the exterior or interior of a home, and they come in various shapes and styles, including double, single, and sliding doors. How much does it cost to install French doors? According to Angi, homeowners will spend between $2,000 and $5,000, with many spending approximately $3,500. Depending on the size, type, materials, and location of the doors in the home, some homeowners can spend as little as $400 or more than $10,000 to install French doors.

French doors are typically installed in pairs with no frame in between so they can be opened to create a large doorway. There are also space-saving sliding French doors, including telescoping French doors, that can fully open up an entire wall. The labor cost to install French doors ranges from $70 to $120 per hour, with many homeowners spending between $140 and $600 for installation. It usually takes a professional between 2 and 5 hours to install French doors. Removing the old door and frame, measuring the space, installing the new frame and doors, and positioning the new hardware take time and careful technique. Homeowners will want to keep in mind that certain types of French doors cost more to install than others, and heavier French doors will cost even more. This guide will examine the important factors that influence the average cost to install French doors, additional costs and considerations that can change the final prices for French doors, the different types of French doors, and some salient questions to ask a professional about French doors and the installation process.

Factors in Calculating the Cost to Install French Doors

While many homeowners spend between $2,000 and $5,000 to install French doors, the overall price can vary from the national average due to some important factors. These can include door size, type, material, style, and brand; glass type; hardware type; installation location; and local labor prices. All of these can greatly affect the overall cost to install French doors.

Door Size

The bigger the French door, the more expensive the price. Larger French doors can increase the price by $100 to $500. While the standard size of a French door is 72 inches wide by 80 inches tall, there are other common sizes that measure from 30 to 96 inches wide for a pair of doors and 80, 84, or 96 inches tall. Wider doors require more materials and glass, which will increase the overall price.

Door Type

Traditional French doors are typically installed as a pair of side-by-side hinged doors that meet in the middle. Modern French doors are available in a variety of types and styles that can fit in with any decor design and space. Depending on the style, French doors can cost from $300 to $6,000. Homeowners will want to choose the type of door according to the size of the frame opening and the amount of clearance that is available for the doors to swing open. French doors can swing in or out, and sliding doors are an option in areas that don’t have the necessary clearance. Types of French doors include center hinged, double in-swing, double out-swing, single in-swing, single sliding, and telescoping sliding. Each of these door types is discussed in a section below.

Door Material

French door frames can be made from a variety of materials that range from budget-friendly vinyl to more expensive high-end hardwood. The overall cost of French doors depends on the materials. Below are the common materials used for French doors and the average price range for each, not including installation.

French Door Material	Average Price Range (Materials Only)
Aluminum	$650 to $3,000
Clad Wood	$2,500 to $3,500
Fiberglass	$800 to $4,000
Steel	$650 to $4,000
Vinyl	$500 to $2,000
Wood	$500 to $4,000

• Aluminum French doors. The cost for aluminum French doors ranges from $650 to $3,000. This low-maintenance material is lightweight and durable, although it’s prone to fading. Aluminum doesn’t insulate very well, so it’s most commonly used for exterior doors in moderate climates or for interior doors. It has a smooth appearance and is often offered in a black or white finish.
• Clad wood French doors. Clad wood French doors cost from $2,500 to $3,500. Homeowners who want the traditional look of wooden French doors that face the inside of the home and metal or aluminum for the outside often choose this material. The covered outdoor exterior of clad wood doors adds extra protection against the elements.
• Fiberglass French doors. Durable fiberglass French doors cost from $800 to $4,000 and are available in a range of colors and finishes. It’s a low-maintenance material and insulates well, making it a popular choice for exterior French doors. Fiberglass is lightweight and works well in a variety of climates.
• Steel French doors. The cost of steel French doors can range from $650 to $4,000. This durable material is popular in more contemporary and modern homes, and it’s used for telescoping French doors. Some homeowners prefer to leave the material unpainted for a more industrial look. Steel isn’t the best insulating material, so it’s mostly used for exterior doors in mild climates or for interior French doors.
• Vinyl French doors. Budget-friendly vinyl French doors cost from $500 to $2,000. Vinyl is a relatively low-maintenance material that can be cleaned easily. Available in various colors and finishes, it can also mimic wood grain texture. Vinyl French doors are commonly used as interior doors, since the material can warp in high temperatures and doesn’t insulate well against extreme temperatures.
• Wood French doors. Wood French doors cost from $500 to $4,000, on average. On the high end of the price range are durable hardwoods, such as walnut, oak, mahogany, cherry, and cedar. On the less expensive end are softer woods, such as pine, alder, and fir. Wood French doors are available prestained, painted, or unfinished, so a homeowner can customize the doors to their personal style.

Door Style

French doors are available in a variety of styles. Some styles will fit in with a specific architectural design more than others, and some homeowners opt for a custom-designed style that works the best with their home. Below are the most common readily available styles of French doors.

• Craftsman-style French doors. Most often framed with wood, Craftsman-style French doors typically mimic the window-glass pattern that’s found in Craftsman-style homes. They have a two-over-one-style window, meaning a single bottom panel of glass that’s topped with two glass panels that are the same height, with each one measuring half the width of the lower glass panel. A thin wooden frame divides each panel to maintain the Craftsman style.
• French country-style doors. Typically used as front entrances, French country-style doors use less glass than other styles. They’re usually made from hardwood and have an arched top, whether it’s the entire door that’s arched or just the glass area.
• Industrial-style French doors. Industrial-style French doors can swing in or out, or they can slide on a visible track mounted to the ceiling. Made from a thin metal frame, industrial French doors are usually installed in the interior of the house instead of on the exterior. The mullions, or the separators between each windowpane, are the same thickness as the frame, which means the majority of the door is made of glass.
• Modern farmhouse French doors. Modern farmhouse French doors are thinner and typically use less glass than traditional French doors. The bottom of the doors is finished with a wood (or metal) panel, and the glass stretches to the top and covers about ¾ of the door. Modern farmhouse French doors are usually made from wood and can be stained or painted to match the overall style of the home.
• Prairie-style French doors. Prairie-style French doors have a thicker frame than traditional French doors and feature intricately detailed glass panels. The decorative glass can be leaded and cut to showcase ornamental patterns and designs. Most commonly used as front doors, prairie-style French doors are popular in midcentury modern homes.
• Shaker-style French doors. Shaker-style French doors are frequently used as closet or pantry doors, since the glass is commonly frosted to block the view of what’s inside. They have a flat wooden frame with a solid glass panel in the center.
• Spanish-style French doors. Traditionally used as patio or courtyard doors, Spanish-style French doors have rectangular glass panels with no decorative elements. These double doors have a flat frame and are commonly painted a bright color or enhanced with a dark, rich stain.
• Victorian-style French doors. Victorian-style French doors feature ornately designed leaded-glass panels that typically showcase floral designs and patterns. It’s common for parts of the glass to be frosted to add to the intricate design. Victorian-style French doors are frequently used as interior doors or as spectacular front doors. The wooden frame is usually stained in a dark color to contrast with the elaborate designs on the glass.

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Door Brand

French doors are available from many brands. Some manufacturers specialize in specific types and styles of French doors, while others make a variety of custom options for homeowners to choose from. With such a large selection and variety of features, homeowners can find the right energy-efficient material or style that works the best for their home and their budget. Below are some common brands of French doors and their average price ranges.

French Door Brand	Average Price Range for Materials Only
Andersen	$2,500 to $4,000
Jeld-Wen	$400 to $1,200
Marvin	$3,000 to $6,000
Milgard	$3,000 to $5,000
Pella	$2,000 to $5,000
ProVia	$3,000 to $6,000

• Andersen French doors. Andersen French doors cost from $2,500 to $4,000 and are available in wood and aluminum. The wood doors are available in a variety of wood species, and the aluminum doors can be customized in more than 40 colors. Homeowners will want to keep in mind that the more customizations the French doors have, the more expensive the price.
• Jeld-Wen French doors. Commonly found at most big-box stores, Jeld-Wen French doors cost from $400 to $1,200. They are made from fiberglass, steel, or wood and are available as single or double French doors for interior or exterior installation. The wood options range from softwoods, such as pine, to durable and long-lasting hardwoods.
• Marvin French doors. Marvin French doors typically range from $3,000 to $6,000 and come in a variety of materials, many of them Energy Star certified. The wooden French doors are manufactured from durable hardwood species, and Marvin offers an array of glass options at differing efficiency levels.
• Milgard French doors. Milgard French doors run from $3,000 to $5,000 and are available as single-hinged, double-hinged, and sliding doors. Specializing in high-end vinyl French doors, Milgard makes options for interior or exterior use in limited colors.
• Pella French doors. Pella French doors cost from $2,000 to $5,000 and come in a selection of materials, such as vinyl, fiberglass, and wood, and in many styles for indoor or outdoor use. Available in a range of different wood species and colors, Pella French doors include double out-swing, in-swing, and sliding styles.
• ProVia French doors. ProVia French doors range in cost from $3,000 to $6,000. These high-quality exterior French doors can be customized to match the design of any home with added transoms, side panels, and more. ProVia offers its Energy Star–certified French doors in a variety of materials and glass options.

Glass Type

The type of glass used in French doors affects the overall cost. While interior doors can use a single pane of tempered or laminated glass, exterior doors need double- or triple-pane glass for improved energy efficiency and safety. Below are the different types of glass used in French doors and the average price range for each.

Type of French Door Glass	Average Price Range for Materials Only
Double-pane	$700 to $3,000
Laminated	$500 to $1,200
Tempered	$400 to $1,700
Triple-pane	$800 to $5,000

• Double-pane French door cost. French doors that have double-pane glass are more energy efficient and insulate better than single-pane glass. The two panes of glass trap air in between and provide increased insulation and reduced thermal transfer. Double-pane French doors cost from $700 to $3,000.
• Laminated French door cost. Laminated glass features a glass pane in between two layers of resin. The resin protects the glass against breakage from an impact. If the glass does break or crack, the resin will hold the glass inside the frame so it won’t fall out. French doors with laminate glass range in price from $500 to $1,200.
• Tempered French door cost. Tempered glass, also known as safety glass, breaks apart in small pieces rather than sharp shards. Since the smaller chunks of glass are less likely to cut and pierce through skin if the glass breaks, tempered glass is considered a safer option to install in French doors. This type of glass can be used in exterior and interior French doors and costs from $400 to $1,700.
• Triple-pane French door cost. As the most expensive of the glass options for French doors, triple-pane glass uses three layers of glass to insulate against extreme temperatures. Many homeowners who live in extreme climates may choose triple-pane glass for their exterior French doors due to the increased energy efficiency. French doors with triple-pane glass range in price from $800 to $5,000.

Hardware Type

French door hardware comes in a few styles and options with or without locks. Some of the most common hardware types are lever handles, fixed pulls with a thumb latch, and cremone bolts. Each type of hardware can be simple or decorative and made from a variety of materials. Lever handles and pulls are typically the most common and can be locked from the outside. Cremone bolts run the length of the door, bolting at the top and bottom and locking from the inside. Cremone hardware can also be combined with a lever handle or pull that locks from the outside to increase French door security. Below are the average price ranges for French door hardware.

Type of French Door Hardware	Average Price Range for Materials Only
Cremone	$100 to $500
Lever	$50 to $200
Pulls	$50 to $800

Installation Location

Since French doors can be installed as both interior and exterior doors, the average installation cost can vary. Exterior French doors typically cost between $500 and $2,200 more than exterior doors, and double doors cost more than single options. While it may be tempting to buy a less expensive interior door to use as an exterior door, doing so is not advised, since interior doors are lighter and less energy efficient. Below are some common locations to install French doors and their impact on the overall cost.

Installation Location	Average Price Range for Materials and Installation
Brick wall	$2,500 to $6,000
Exterior	$1,250 to $4,500
Existing doorway	$750 to $4,500
Interior	$750 to $1,100

• Cost to install French doors in a brick wall. Installing French doors in a brick wall costs the most, since the brick needs to be cut in order to create the opening for the doors. Installation costs and labor can increase by more than $1,000 over the cost of other installation locations, which can bring the project total to between $2,500 and $6,000. Once the brick is cut and the opening is created, the framing needs to be installed. The overall installation price varies according to the type and style of French door used.
• Cost to install exterior French doors. The overall cost to install exterior French doors ranges from $1,250 to $4,500. Exterior French doors are more expensive because they’re thicker, heavier, and more energy efficient than indoor options. The installation can take between 2 and 6 hours, since the doors need to be sealed correctly to ensure proper insulation against extreme temperatures. If the French doors are prehung in their frames, the installation can be fairly easy.
• Cost to install French doors in an existing doorway. Installing French doors in an existing opening can cost from $750 to $4,500. Removing an existing door can increase the overall price over the price of installing French doors as part of new construction.
• Cost to install interior French doors. The cost to install French doors for interior use runs from $750 to $1,100. Interior French doors are lighter, easier to install, and less expensive than exterior French doors. Typically installed in just a few hours, interior French doors are usually double doors, although a single French door can be used as a replacement for an existing door.

Labor

Many professionals charge between $400 and $1,500 for French door installation, depending on the difficulty of the project. A retrofit typically costs more than new construction, and interior doors cost less than exterior ones. If a homeowner decides to install more than one set of French doors at the same time, some manufacturers may offer a discount on the cost. Below are the average labor price ranges to install different types of French doors.

Type of French Doors	Average Price Range for Labor
Center-hinged	$800 to $1,200
Double in-swing	$800 to $1,200
Double out-swing	$900 to $1,400
Single in-swing	$400 to $600
Single sliding	$600 to $900
Telescoping	$900 to $1,500

Additional Costs and Considerations

When budgeting for the cost to install French doors, homeowners will find that there are additional price factors and considerations that can change the total project cost. These can include the difference in price for prefabricated versus custom French doors, replacement of an existing door or window, painting and finishing costs, storm door installation, additional security features, and accessories.

Prefabricated vs. Custom French Doors

Custom French doors cost more than prefabricated options and range in price from $3,000 to $10,000, depending on material, glass type, style, size, and level of customization. On average, custom French doors are 10 percent to 30 percent more than prefabricated ones.

Existing Door or Window Replacement

French door replacement cost ranges from $2,500 to $6,000, depending on the complexity of the job. This price usually includes the removal