| The French door is just a double door. So the | | | | Tempered safety glass with options for moveable |
| question facing the French door home owner is | | | | panels to allow for air flow. If the Security French |
| how fancy a security fix is wanted or needed. | | | | door fits over an existing door, the added benefit |
| The important issue here is to make sure the | | | | of insulation for the home is evident with the |
| door frame is strong enough to sustain the | | | | possibility of decreasing utility bills to a significant |
| pressure of someone trying to kick the door in or | | | | amount. |
| to use their shoulder to shove in the door. The | | | | Other options to securing the French door is to |
| internet is full of examples of people kicking or | | | | install a bar across the door from the inside. This |
| shoving with their shoulder on single doors and | | | | would provide for greater integrity of the entire |
| gaining entry with little or no apparent effort. | | | | door system by transferring the pressure of a |
| Most security French door companies provide a | | | | home invaders kicking to the wall where the bar |
| steel frame for installation of their doors. Their | | | | supports are attached. |
| installation instructions are easy to follow with | | | | The appearance of these devices are attractive. |
| minimal amount of tools required, yet their | | | | The metal holders come in various colors which |
| security is high enough to be adequate for the | | | | match or contrast with the wall. The reinforcing |
| home owners need. Some of the features to look | | | | bar is also colored to blend in with the existing |
| for are the hinges, locks, openers, safety glass, | | | | decor. Curtains can be used to cover the |
| and styles of the door. | | | | appliance if the home owner wishes to distract |
| On higher end doors, locks will include two-way | | | | from the appearance of the bar holders. But |
| bank vault locks, sliding bolt locks, or keyed and | | | | curtains will add to the insulation value by cutting |
| keyless locks. The closer will usually be a heavy | | | | down on sunlight coming into the home. Some of |
| duty brass handle with the option for an upgrade | | | | the tempered glass have UV reduction factors |
| usually to nickel, but other metals are offered. | | | | which will reduce the negative effects of sunlight |
| Hinges will be concealable and / or tamper-proof, | | | | on furniture. |
| some will be piano hinges which offer smoother | | | | Increasing the security of French doors will |
| and more secure opening, with greater resistance | | | | increase property value as French doors are |
| to pressures to break them. Yet, some | | | | generally seen as being one of the weakest areas |
| manufacturers will offer several hinges in the | | | | of the home to protect from home invaders. In |
| place of the larger piano hinge. The result being | | | | addition to the exceptional eye appeal of |
| the same, smoother opening and greater security | | | | decorative French doors, being able to describe |
| against the door being caught by the wind and | | | | them as security doors will add to the property |
| pulled out of its frame. | | | | value. |
| French doors will also have options for ventilation. | | | | |