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Your pearly new gates await you
The average cost of French doors is around $3,500, with a typical range between $2,000 and $5,000. But you might pay as little as $400 or as much as $10,000 depending on the type, size, materials, whether you choose outdoor or indoor French doors can transform your home into an open and inviting space. Learn more about the cost of French doors and what may impact the price.
| Low Cost | Average Cost | High Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $2,000 | $3,500 | $5,000 |
French Door Installation Cost Breakdown
From the size of your French doors to the type of material you choose, there are several components to buying French doors that can greatly affect the total cost of the installation.
Door Size
Larger French doors will naturally cost more than smaller ones, potentially increasing the cost by $100 to $500. The standard size of a French door is 72 inches wide by 80 inches tall, but other common sizes for French doors are 80, 84, or 96 inches tall and 30 to 96 inches wide for a pair of doors. Doors that are wider will need more glass and materials, which will increase the cost.
Type
French doors cost anywhere from $300 to $6,000, depending on the style of the door. The most traditional type of French door consists of two doors that open and close side-by-side, but modern French doors come in all shapes. Single in-swing doors come in at the lower end of the price range, while telescoping doors come in at the higher end.
French Door Material
The type of material you choose for your French doors plays a huge role in the cost of the doors, with materials ranging from $500 to $4,000 on average for just the materials. Vinyl French doors offer the most budget-friendly option, while steel, fiberglass, and high-end wood doors come towards the higher end of the price range.
| French Door Material | Average Price Range |
|---|---|
| Vinyl | $500 – $2,000 |
| Wood | $500 – $4,000 |
| Fiberglass | $800 – $4,000 |
| Aluminum | $650 – $3,000 |
| Clad wood | $2,500 – $3,500 |
| Steel | $700 – $4,000 |
Vinyl French Doors
Vinyl is the most affordable material for French doors, ranging anywhere between $500 and $2,000. Vinyl materials come in many finishes and colors and have a smooth finish, making them a good option for homeowners who want lightweight, affordable, and low-maintenance French doors. These doors cost less than other materials, but they’re susceptible to warpage in high heat, far less durable, and poor insulators. For these reasons, you won’t typically find vinyl for exterior French doors.
Wood French Doors
Wood French doors cost between $500 and $4,000 on average. This material offers the most natural appearance, making it a classic choice for interior and exterior French doors. Softwood materials like fir, alder, or pine are the most cost-friendly options and come in toward the lower end of the price range; however, they’re not as durable as hardwood materials. Hardwoods like mahogany, oak, walnut, or cedar cost more because of their strength and durability.
Fiberglass French Doors
The average cost of fiberglass French doors ranges from $800 to $4,000. Fiberglass is one of the most durable materials available. It’s also an excellent insulator, making this material one of the best for outdoor French doors—though you can also use fiberglass doors for indoor spaces for added insulation. This relatively lightweight material mimics the appearance of solid wood and adapts well to a variety of climates.
Aluminum French Doors
On average, the price for aluminum French doors falls between $650 and $3,000. Aluminum is a durable, lightweight, and low-maintenance material that tends to come in black or white. This material is a great option for homes in moderate climates, but it’s a poor insulator, making it unsuitable for extreme climates. If you still want the look of aluminum but need an insulated door, your best option is to go for a clad-wood door instead.
Clad-Wood French Doors
Clad-wood French doors typically cost between $2,500 and $3,500. Homeowners who want the modern and industrial charm of aluminum on the outside and the warm, inviting charm of natural wood on the inside of their homes will find that clad-wood French doors are the perfect combination of both worlds. This option comes with one of the highest starting prices, but it adds stability to wooden doors, making it a solid patio door material for homes where high winds, rain, and snow pose safety hazards.
Steel French Doors
Steel French doors cost anywhere from $650 to $4,000 on average. Steel is one of the most durable doors on the market. Since steel has an industrial appearance, you’re more likely to find this material in modern or contemporary homes. The main downsides to steel doors are that it’s a poor insulator, it tends to cost more than other options, and you may have a hard time finding this material depending on your location.
Glass Type
French doors’ signature aesthetics come down to the classic use of glass encompassed by a frame. As a result, the type of glass you choose can have a noticeable effect on the price of your project. Exterior French doors need a strong type of glass, like double- or triple-paned, while interior French doors can get by with a single pane of tempered or laminated glass. Below is a breakdown of the different types of glass and their respective costs.
Tempered glass: $400 – $1,700
Laminated glass: $500 – $1,200
Double-pane glass: $700 – $3,000
Triple-pane glass: $800 – $5,000
Location
Interior French doors cost $500 to $2,200 less than exterior French doors. Though it may seem like you can save money by purchasing an interior French door to use as an exterior door, the two can’t be swapped, as you’ll see below.
Interior French Doors Cost
Interior French doors cost between $500 and $800 on average. While often beautiful and made with gleaming glass panes, interior doors aren’t durable enough to function as exterior French doors. Interior French doors are more often made of softwood like pine, alder, or fir. Their glass panels are thinner and, therefore, less insulated, and they don’t need the same level of sealing, which is why these doors come in lower on the price point.
Exterior French Doors Cost
Exterior doors cost between $1,000 and $4,000 on average. You’ll find that exterior French doors are significantly heavier than interior doors. The type of materials for exterior doors account for the higher prices and may include the following:
Hardwood like mahogany or cedar
Reinforced clad wood with an aluminum shell for added durability
Stronger, energy-efficient windows
Additional weatherstripping
Labor and Installation
The cost to hire a pro to install your French doors ranges between $140 and $600 on average. Most professional door installers will charge between $70 and $120 per hour, and French door installations take anywhere from two to five hours. Removing the old frame, measuring the opening, installing the new frame, fitting the door, and installing the hardware that comes with the door is a laborious and time-consuming process.
French Door Prices by Type
The type of French door you choose impacts the cost of your installation. Some doors are easier to install and take less time to install, while other doors are simply more durable and convenient. Here’s a breakdown of French door costs by the type of door.
Single In-Swing French Doors
On average, single in-swing French doors cost between $300 to $1,000. This door functions exactly as it sounds—it’s a single door that swings inward toward the interior of your home or area. Single in-swing doors fall on the low end of the price range because they consist of a single door rather than two doors.
Double In-Swing French Doors
The average cost of a double in-swing French door is between $400 and $4,000. You can identify these doors because they consist of two doors that meet in the middle without a frame in the center. As with single in-swing doors, double in-swing doors open inwards. These doors are most commonly used in between rooms or on patios rather than as front doors.
Double Out-Swing French Doors
Double out-swing French doors are essentially the same as double in-swing doors and also cost between $400 and $4,000. The main difference is that these doors swing outwards, making them ideal exterior doors.
Single Sliding Doors
A single sliding door costs between $800 and $2,000 on average. French doors and sliding doors are technically different, but single sliding doors resemble classic French doors. The main difference is that the door slides over a fixed panel rather than operating on a hinge. This is a great option if you don’t have the space to open a traditional door outwards or inwards but still want the appearance of a French door.
Center-Hinged French Doors
The cost of a center-hinged door is between $1,000 and $1,500 on average. The higher price point comes down to the fact that one door is stationary and the other is hinged in the middle. It requires additional framing and hinges to allow for the door to open and close at the center.
Telescoping Sliding Doors
A telescopic sliding door is a heavy-duty and premium type of French door that ranges from $1,500 to $6,000 on average. These specialty doors feature at least three sliding panels that can open from either side. The additional doors and the unique sliding mechanisms account for the higher price range.
Additional Costs to Consider
Before you hit the equal button on your calculator to sum up your total, don’t let these additional cost factors sneak up on you and impact your actual total price.
Custom French Door Cost
Custom French doors can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000. From decorative glass, unique structural upgrades, and elaborate frames, you can expect your custom French door to increase your total project cost by 10% to 30%.
Cost to Replace Sliding Glass Door with French Doors
The average cost to replace sliding glass doors with French doors is $2,500, but prices can exceed $6,000 depending on the complexity of the replacement doors. If your home’s entryway needs expanding or a new frame, expect to pay more.
Paint or Finishing Door Exterior
The cost to paint the exterior of your French doors is approximately $150 to $200 per side. Keep in mind that you might not need to paint your French doors at all if they’re made from vinyl or fiberglass.
Storm Doors
The cost to book a local storm door installation pro ranges from $150 to $600. You can save money by purchasing a storm door conversion kit, which costs around $150 on average. For homes where severe weather could mean the difference between having stunning French doors and having glass on the floor, storm doors are a necessary addition to your exterior French doors.
Security
Dual-point locking systems can make your doors more secure. These add-ons can cost between $30 and $300. If you choose laminated glass doors for your French doors, you’ll have added security too. Laminated doors cost only $100 to $500 more than tempered glass doors, but it’s important to remember that no French doors are entirely burglar-proof.
Door Accessories
Door accessories like transoms and blinds can add $400 and $1,900 to your project. Transoms cost anywhere from $200 to $600 and help increase the light in your home. These accessories go over the door or windows to increase the height and ventilation. Installing blinds cost anywhere from $200 to $1,300 and give privacy to your home while protecting furniture from UV rays.
Cost to Install French Doors Yourself
You’ll save $140 to $600 if you install the doors yourself, without a pro. However, if you don’t have experience installing French doors, you might find this project to be surprisingly challenging. Installing French doors requires meticulous attention and the expertise to create a strong seal. Failure to install the doors incorrectly could prevent the doors from shutting or lead to poor insulation if your doors are exterior-facing.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Install Your French Doors
While you can install French doors on your own if you have the experience, even a professional will require two to five hours to install these doors. You might find this project takes much longer than anticipated for your everyday DIYer, so if you don’t have the time or skills to successfully install French doors, it’s best to hire a local door installer to do the job.
5 Ways to Save on French Door Installation
If you want the luxury that French doors offer without the price tag, there are several ways you can shave off the cost of your project. Follow these tips on how to save on your French door installation:
Choose vinyl for the lowest price and maintenance.
Pick a single in-swing French door.
Avoid high-end materials and styles.
Opt for tempered or laminated glass.
Install interior French doors instead of exterior doors.
Frequently Asked Questions
French doors can add value to your home. Their low cost but high resale value mean you could reap the benefits of a higher price tag on your home with minimal effort or spending. Not only do French doors increase your home’s value from a financial standpoint, but they also add natural light and make your home look more attractive to prospective buyers.
Whether your French doors should open in or out depends on your personal preferences. French doors that open inwards are the best type of patio doors because they allow for more weatherproofing and patio space compared to doors that open inward. Meanwhile, French doors that open outwards allow for more interior space.
An interior French door should last you anywhere between 30 and 50 years, while an exterior French door unit will last around 15 to 30 years on average. Just how long your French doors last depends on the quality of the materials you choose, with vinyl doors lasting far less than fiberglass, metal, and clad-wood doors.
While some French doors have handles on both sides, not all models come with this feature. Single, center-hinged, and sliding French doors are three examples of doors that may not have handles on both sides, if at all. Double French doors typically have two handles.
Depending on the type of French doors you choose, they may be more expensive than sliding doors. Overall, sliding doors have a slightly lower price tag, but the higher the quality and the greater the upgrades, the more similar in price the two become.
