There was a time, not so long ago, when the world of patio doors was pretty small. French doors were the go-to for anyone looking for a way to access their patio from their home and, even then, the options were limited when compared to today's plethora of options. Bifold and sliding door technology wasn't what it is now, meaning both of these types of patio door were viewed with some suspicion.
Fast-forward a little and some significant developments in operating mechanisms, glazing and framing materials – not to mention an unquenchable thirst for 'bringing the outside in' – meant that sliding and bifold doors began to overtake French doors,
But, much like the fashion cycle, French doors are making a re-appearance with a modern makeover. Homeowners are once again appreciating the simplicity and elegance of the French door – and design experts explain why you should too.
Are French doors back in fashion?
For a while, French doors were no longer seen as a contemporary choice, so why is it changing?
"In my 17 years at Kloeber I've seen a few cyclical trends – and this is one of them," says Dan Todd, sales director at Kloeber. "For the last decade, much of the attention in the glazing industry has been focused on large sliding patio doors and bifold systems. Homeowners have been captivated by ever-larger panes of glass, slim sightlines and dramatic openings that blur the line between inside and out. Yet, recently, we've noticed something interesting – French doors are making a bit of a comeback."
Andrew Madge, managing director of Gowercroft Joinery and President of The British Woodworking Federation agrees that French doors are becoming fashionable once more. "We've seen French doors becoming more popular again, especially as the heritage side of our business has grown. Sales in our French door ranges increased by 113.4% from 2023 to 2026 and French doors have also grown from an estimated 8% of sales in 2023 to 13.6% in 2026 so far."
It seems, then, that French doors are indeed firmly back on the radar – and here's exactly why they could be the best option for you.
Dan Todd is Sales Director and co-owner at Kloeber, one of the UK’s most respected glazing specialists. Now in his 17th year with the company, Dan has helped shape Kloeber’s growth from a small, hands-on team into a trusted name for high-quality windows and doors. With extensive experience across residential glazing, customer specification, project support and sales leadership, Dan has overseen thousands of window and door projects, from individual front door replacements to large-scale homes. His expertise spans aluminium and timber systems, including bifold doors, sliding doors, French doors, windows and entrance doors.
Andrew Madge is Managing Director of Gowercroft Joinery, a specialist British manufacturer of high-performance timber windows and doors. He is also President of the British Woodworking Federation. Andrew has worked at Gowercroft since 2011 and has led the business as Managing Director since 2014. His expertise spans heritage window and door design, timber manufacturing, product development, energy performance and long-term durability. Under his leadership, Gowercroft has become known for award-winning timber windows and doors used in listed buildings, conservation areas, retrofit projects and architect-designed homes.
6 reasons why French doors might work for you
1. They are one of the more affordable options
Patio door costs can soon spiral when using sliding or bifold doors, particularly when dealing with supersized openings – thanks to their simpler operating mechanisms and installation process, however, French doors tend to be a more affordable option.
"Cost is a consideration for most clients," picks up Dan Todd. "High-quality French doors are typically more affordable than large sliding or bifold systems, allowing homeowners to invest elsewhere in their project while still achieving a premium finish."
Edward Stobart, technical sales manager at IDSystems, agrees that French doors can be a wiser option for those working on smaller scale projects, seeking to minimise costs. "French doors are particularly well suited to small extensions, renovations and heritage-style homes. They generally require less structural intervention and building works than wider glazing systems, and can therefore be a more cost-effective solution."
A long serving member of the IDSystems team, for the past 20 years Edward has advised and supported self-builders and renovators to identify the most suitable glazing options for their project. He has recently finished a complete renovation and remodel of his own home, transforming a tired 1960s house into a stylish modern family home.
2. You don't need to be working with a huge opening
Not everyone has – or wants – huge openings from the inside of their home to their garden. While these can undoubtedly look stunning, particularly on a summer's day when the entire rear of a house can be opened up, sometimes all that is needed is a more modest way to access outdoors – and this is where French doors are ideal.
"They suit a wider variety of homes – not every property requires a six-metre opening or a wall of glass," points out Dan Todd. "For smaller extensions, renovations and period properties, French doors can often look more proportionate and sympathetic to the architecture. They provide a strong connection to the garden while maintaining character and balance."
"While large sliding doors and bifold doors remain hugely popular for larger apertures, French doors offer an option for smaller openings – particularly for those looking to add character or complement the architecture of an existing property," adds Edward Stobart.
3. They are a great way to add character to a house
While there is nothing to stop owners of traditional-style or period properties adding a swathe of sliding doors to their homes, in some cases, the more classic look of French doors can be a better way to enhance their character and charm.
"A large part of the growth in the popularity of French doors is coming from historic properties, listed buildings and from those buying houses in conservation areas," explains Andrew Madge. "French doors often suit these projects because they work with traditional proportions rather than trying to create the largest possible opening. On many older buildings, a huge expanse of sliding or bifold glazing can look out of place.
"There is also a wider design shift away from stripped-back minimalism," continues Andrew. "We're seeing more people making a deliberate choice to add character back into their homes. Increasingly, homeowners want to see detail, craftsmanship and materials that make a statement rather than doors that are designed to fade into the background. That trend is reflected in the British Woodworking Federation’s Championing Timber in the Home Report 2025, which found that aesthetic appeal is now the leading influence on door choice at 34%, increasing in importance since the 2023 report. As one of the most visible elements of a home’s exterior, doors are becoming a design feature in their own right, and French doors often align well with that desire for character and individuality."
4. They match the British climate perfectly
The idea of being able to open up an entire wall of the house to create a seamless link between inside and out is undeniably appealing – but, in reality, how often does the UK climate actually allow for this? French doors might not give the option of doing this when the sun does shine, but perhaps that isn't always such a bad thing.
Andrew Madge suggests that, rather than viewing French doors as replacements for bifold or sliding doors, they should be seen as something that can be used alongside them. "French doors are not trying to do the same job as bifold or sliding doors but are often more practical.
"Sliding and bifold doors are often chosen because they can open up a larger area, but that is not always what people actually need," continues Andrew. "With the UK weather, the full-opening feature is only useful some of the time and people are starting to realise that. Day-to-day, most people use one access point: to step outside, let the dog out, reach a balcony or bring some air into the room. French doors do that simply, with less complexity and often at a lower cost."
5. French door technology now matches the alternatives
There was a time when it was easy to assume that the thermal efficiency and technology, not to mention the glazing innovations, associated with French doors just couldn't match that of the more more modern alternatives – not so these days.
"Modern French doors are significantly more advanced than the chunky uPVC versions people may remember from years ago," explains Edward Stobart. "What has made the biggest difference has been the development of aluminium frame technology. Modern thermally broken aluminium profiles allow for a slender appearance and maximise the amount of glass. In addition, aluminium frames also make French doors easier to couple with fixed frame sidelight windows, or to incorporate within a much larger glazed screen such as glass curtain walling."
Timber French doors too have seen some significant improvements over the years, as Andrew Madge explains. "Older French doors had a reputation for being draughty, less secure and prone to swelling or sticking. Modern timber French doors are very different. Our French door options can achieve U-values as low as 0.82 W/m²K, with PAS 24 and Secured by Design security compliance, modern locking systems, improved airtightness and better weather performance. The materials have improved too. Timbers like Accoya improve longevity and stability, reducing the risk of warping, swelling or sticking over time. Water-based coatings have also made modern timber doors much lower maintenance than many people expect."
6. Things have moved on style-wise
It isn't just the technology involved with French doors that has been evolving and improving – there is now much more design choice too, making them ideal not just for traditional settings, but more modern homes too.
While there are some really sleek, minimalist French door designs out there now, in all kinds of powder-coated finishes, manufacturers have also wholly embraced the trend for Crittall-style doors and windows.
"Where aluminium French doors have really soared in popularity is where they are designed with horizontal bars through the glass that match the look of traditional steel doors at a fraction of the cost," reveals Edward Stobart. "These Art Deco-inspired doors combine traditional style with the latest in modern design options."
FAQs
Are French doors replacing sliding and bifold doors?
Clearly French doors are once again being seen as a brilliant option for those seeking to create access and visual connection between their interiors and the garden – but does that mean sliding and bifold doors are losing their appeal?
Dan Todd thinks not. "Rather than replacing sliding and bifold doors, French doors are finding their place alongside them. Each solution has its strengths, and the best choice depends on the property, house style, the opening size and how the space will be used."
Andrew Madge agrees with this view. "French doors aren't replacing sliding doors or bifolds – some people have both. French doors are especially useful for smaller openings, Juliet balconies, bedrooms, snugs and older parts of a property, where easy access and proportion are more important than opening up an entire wall."
"What's clear is that French doors are no longer the overlooked option," adds Dan Todd. "Thanks to modern engineering, improved performance and changing homeowner priorities, they are once again becoming a popular and highly relevant choice for contemporary home design ideas."
Sometimes, the best course of action is to use a combination of patio door styles rather than relying on just one type of system. If this idea appeals to you, make sure you take time to research bifold vs sliding doors first – understanding the pros and cons of each will help you make an informed decision, as will taking a look at bi-fold patio door costs to see which type best matches your budget.
