 When looking to renovate and revitalize your home, one avenue that
you should consider is the addition of French doors. They can add a touch
of class to an older home or give a newer home a stately elegance. There
are many advantages that come with this renovation choice.
French doors, also known as French windows, are defined as doors with multiple
windows in the full length of the door. Inside this simple definition, there
are many different variations and subtleties, enough variety to suit every
home. Wooden doors take a great deal of abuse and strain, and a well-made
French door can last for years. A door acts as the first impression a visitor
of a visit to your home, shouldn't it be a memorable one?
French doors come in a number of different sizes and the configuration of the glass
panels can vary widely. These home additions can often times be custom made to
produce a look that complements your home.
The most obvious area that can be modified in a French door is, of course, the
glass. The most common configuration of glass is two vertical rows of three to
six panes. This design has an elegant simplicity that opens up a room.
Another common configuration are two long panes of glass running the length of the
door, divided by a strip of wood. This can create the illusion of increased
height to the room.
At the other end of the spectrum are the French doors which actually contain panels
of stained glass. This creates a striking effect when the sun streams through
the glass and creates patterns of gently-colored light in the room. Stained
glass windows and doors were quite popular during the Art Nouveu at the turn of the
twentieth century. If you are so inclined, it is still possible to purchase
these breathtakingly beautiful antiques and have them installed in your home.
This is also where the customizable nature of French doors comes into play.
With some communication between artisans, you can design a stained glass pane that
suits your home perfectly, whether you're hoping for cathedral-like elegance or homey
simplicity.
To really open up a space, you might consider two French doors that open inwards in
opposite directions. In this scenario, you add twice as much light to the
inside as well as providing a lovely framing device for the area beyond. This
is an especially striking effect if you have a garden or patio in your back
yard. Having a small patio table adjacent to the French doors can create an
open area that seems like an addition to your house.
The most obvious advantage that French doors have over solid ones is their
transparency. French doors can let a flood of light enter a room, alleviating
winter gloom and brightening up previously dull spaces. When it comes to
placement, be aware of what the door is looking at and what shade will be affecting
it.
In adding a touch of class and elegance to a home, French doors are one place where
the homeowner can really leave a mark. |
