The true door connoisseur knows that few things speak more to taste and class in home building than French doors.  French doors add a touch of elegance to almost any home design.  In fact, they can be works of art in and of themselves.  Even modest and moderately priced homes can see a significant increase in value simply by being outfitted with artfully crafted French doors. 

French doors are characterized by the incorporation of glass panels in a frame.  Typical French door frames are made of some type of wood, though other materials can also be used.  This is particularly true for commercial French doors, which may be made of aluminum or steel.  For residential use though, the frames are most often made of wood.   

French doors may be made with a single solid panel of glass, or they may be constructed with multiple glass panels which are incorporated into the frame.  In the case of exterior doors, the glass is usually double-paned for keeping weather out and heat and air conditioning inside.  Sometimes a decorative grille is embedded between the two panes of glass, creating an extra layer of security.  Interior French doors are usually single-paned.  French doors are often confused with double doors.  While they are often installed as double doors, they can be a single door as well.  Frequently single French doors are used for interior doors and double doors are used for exterior doors. 

The glass in French doors can be as transparent or as opaque as desired (though no glass is truly 100% opaque.)  They are sometimes rated for transparency from a one to a five (five being the most opaque and one being the most transparent.)  Exterior doors are typically crafted with more opaque glass (level three to level five) for reasons of security and privacy.  Sometimes a combination of transparent and opaque glass is used, especially for interior doors where privacy isn't an issue.  The glass in French doors may incorporate one of a number of design elements.  Glass may be beveled, etched or textured in some manner, or simply left smooth. 

Homeowners tend choose French doors mainly for their aesthetic quality.  They add sophisticated beauty to large and smaller homes alike.  Naturally, the prolific use of glass allows more light to penetrate, particularly when it comes to exterior doors.  Allowing more natural light to enter the home sometimes means a reduction in the use of electricity, plus, natural light brightens a home in a way that no light bulb can compare to. 

While they are chosen largely for the beauty that they add, French doors are also functional.  Homeowners can have customized security features built in.  Doors can also be accessorized with hardware (i.e. door pulls, etc.) that matches both interior and exterior décor and style.  Once installed, they will last for years and add unbeatable curb appeal to any home.