A French door is a door that is divided by glass panes. It can also have an undivided one piece of glass. A French door can be used as an exterior door and an interior door. The wooden pieces that divide the door and glass portion between the Stiles and the Rails are termed as “Muttin Bars”. These bars are also profiled on both sides to match the Stiles and the Rails. The bars hold the glass or wooden panels.
TDL – When the bars divide the inside space of the door into small sections for small panes of glass or wooden panels then this configuration is called True Divided Lite or TDL.
SDL – For increased efficiency of insulated glass the door is made with one piece of glass but wooden stops with profiles are installed on either side of this glass to “simulate” the look of divided panes. This configuration is termed Simulated Divided Lite or SDL.
Interior & Exterior French Doors
Exterior French doors are built with insulated glass and full weatherstripping to seal against the elements, and can be ordered pre-hung in their frame with sill, ready for installation. Interior French doors are a classic way to divide rooms — a den, office, or dining room — while letting light pass through the house. Interior units can be built as single doors, pairs, or room-divider walls with fixed panels.
Single, Pair & Sidelite Configurations
French doors can be ordered as a single door, a pair of doors that meet with an astragal, or a door unit flanked by matching sidelites and topped with a transom. Pairs can be built with both doors active, or one active and one semi-active held by flush bolts. Arched and radius tops are available for Spanish and Mediterranean style homes.
Wood Species & Construction
Every French door is built from solid lumber in your specified species — Douglas fir, clear pine, mahogany, white oak, and others. Stiles and rails are joined using Cope and Stick with Dowels for added structural strength, and muntin bars are profiled to match the sticking of the door.
Glass Options
Insulated glass with Low-E is available to meet California Title 24 requirements, or single-pane glass for historic restoration work. Tempered, obscure, and specialty glass can be ordered in any lite. True divided lite (TDL) or simulated divided lite (SDL) in any muntin pattern — from a classic 10-lite or 15-lite layout to custom patterns.
Matching Existing French Doors
For additions and restorations, we can replicate existing French door profiles, muntin patterns, and sticking details — even if the original manufacturer is no longer in business. Bring us a sample, a photo, or measurements and we will match it.
Custom Sizes
Because every door is made to order in our Van Nuys shop, French doors can be built to any width and height your opening requires — oversized doors, non-standard thicknesses, and out-of-square openings for older homes are all part of our normal work.
Image Gallery
