External French Doors in Australia: Double Doors for Patios and Alfresco, Frames, Swing Direction and Weather Protection

When Do External French Doors Suit Your Home?

External French doors suit openings that connect a living area to a patio, deck, courtyard or alfresco, where you want a wide, light-filled entry and a classic look. They work best when you have room for the doors to swing and some overhead cover, and when street appeal or heritage character matters.

They're a natural fit for:

• Heritage and traditional homes where a glazed pair suits the architecture.
• Living rooms and dining areas that open straight onto an entertaining space.
• Homes where you want daylight deep into the room.

They're not always the right call. If you want the whole wall to open, look at bi-folds and side panels instead. If the opening is fully exposed to the weather with no eaves or pergola, you'll need to think harder about materials, which we cover below.

Single, Double or Sidelights: Which Suits a Wide Opening?

A single door suits a narrow opening, a pair of double French doors suits a standard wide opening, and French doors with sidelights suit a wider opening or one where you want more light without heavier doors. Choose based on opening width, how often you'll use both leaves and how much glass you want.

Here's how each plays out in practice.

Single doors

Good for side patios, laundry-to-courtyard access and tight spaces. One leaf means simpler hardware and less to seal.

Double French doors

This is the classic pair. One leaf is the active leaf you use daily. The other is the inactive leaf, held shut by flush bolts and opened only when you want the full width for furniture or a crowd.

French doors with sidelights

Sidelights are fixed glazed panels either side of the doors. They add light and width without making each door leaf bigger and heavier. Browse our sidelights and side panels to see what pairs with your opening.

One caution: every extra join is another place water can get in. Sidelights need properly sealed fixings and flashing, so plan the junctions before you order.

Inswing or Outswing French Doors: Which Handles Weather Better?

Outswing French doors generally press into their seals when wind and rain hit, but they need clear space outside and secure hinges. Inswing doors keep the swing off your deck but rely on a good sill and seals to keep driven rain out. Your exposure and layout decide.

This is the question we get asked most about double doors, so here's the practical view.

Outswing

• Wind and rain push the doors against the seals, which can help weather resistance.
• Frees up floor space inside the room.
• Needs clear space on the patio or deck, and you'll want door stops or holders so gusts don't catch an open leaf.
• Hinges sit on the outside, so choose security-minded hinges and hardware.

Inswing

• Hinges and fixings stay inside, which many people prefer for security.
• The doors swing clear of outdoor furniture and plants.
• Driven rain pushes toward the gap, so the sill, drip detail and seals need to be right.
• You'll need room inside for the doors to open fully.

A covered alfresco with good eaves is forgiving either way. A wind-exposed deck with little cover puts more pressure on your choice, so talk it through with us or your installer. Also check any strata, body corporate or council rules that might affect swing direction.

What Glass Should External French Doors Have?

For external French doors, choose glass that suits your sun exposure, noise and comfort needs. Double glazing is the upgrade most people consider for west-facing or street-facing openings. We cover the detail on our 4L double glazed French door page, so here's the short version.

• Double glazed: better for comfort and noise, and worth considering when the opening gets strong afternoon sun.
• Single glazed: a simpler, lighter option for sheltered openings.
• Safety glass: glazed doors must meet Australian safety glazing requirements, so confirm this with the supplier before you order.

If energy performance matters to you, the Window Energy Rating Scheme (WERS) is a useful independent reference for comparing glazing. The right glass depends on orientation, so tell us which way the doors face when you enquire.

Frames, Sills and Weatherseals: What Keeps the Weather Out?

The frame keeps weather out and the doors square for years. Look for a solid, properly sized frame, a sloped sill that sheds water away from the opening, a drip detail, and compression seals around the head, jambs and meeting stiles. Leaks usually start at the sill and flashing, so give those the most attention.

French door frames deserve more thought than the doors themselves, because a pair of leaves has more joins to seal.

What to check:

• Sill: it should slope outward and sit properly on a level, sound substrate. A flat or poorly flashed sill holds water.
• Head and jambs: continuous seals that compress when the door closes.
• Meeting stile: the join between the two leaves is the weakest point. A rebated or weathered meeting stile with a seal helps block wind and rain.
• Bottom seal: a threshold or door bottom seal that suits your floor level and sill.
• Flashing: water must be directed out and away from the frame, not behind it.

Our entrance doors range includes frames and options for different builds. If you're not sure which frame suits your wall construction, send us the details and we'll point you in the right direction.

What Hardware Do Double French Doors Need?

Double doors need hardware for both leaves: flush bolts to hold the inactive leaf, a lock or multipoint system on the active leaf, and door stops or holders to control the swing. Choose external-rated finishes and hinges strong enough for the weight of glazed doors.

Here's your hardware checklist:

• Flush bolts: top and bottom bolts on the inactive leaf keep it rigid and secure. Without them, the pair can rattle and leak.
• Locks: a keyed lock or multipoint lock on the active leaf adds security. Multipoint systems engage at several points along the stile. Browse our locks and latches.
• Hinges: glazed pairs are heavy, so choose quality hinges and the right number for the leaf.
• Handles: match the style to your home and make sure they suit external exposure. See our door hardware range.
• Door stops and holders: essential for outswing doors on windy patios. Have a look at our door stops and holders.

Tip: if you'll use the doors as a main entry as well as a patio opening, think about security first and style second.

How Do You Seal Timber and Protect Finishes in Harsh Sun?

In harsh sun, the finish matters as much as the door. Seal every face and edge of timber, including the top and bottom, use finishes with UV protection, and think carefully about dark colours, which absorb more heat. Overhead cover helps a lot, and aluminium may suit fully exposed openings.

Timber French doors look wonderful, and our solid and engineered timber entrance doors are popular for good reason. They just need respect for Australian sun.

Good habits:

• Seal all six faces before installation, including the hidden top and bottom edges.
• Pick a finish designed for exterior UV and follow the manufacturer's care guide for recoating.
• Keep colours moderate if the doors get full afternoon sun.
• Add a pergola, awning or deeper eaves if you can.
• Inspect the finish regularly and touch up early, before moisture gets in.

If you're comparing materials, our full entrance doors range covers timber, aluminium and composite options.

Can You Add Screens to French Doors?

Yes, but pairs of doors need planning. Fly screens or security screens must work with your swing direction and frame depth. A 2-in-1 door combines a door and screen in one unit, which suits openings you want to ventilate. Tell us your layout and we'll advise what fits.

For patios and alfresco areas, airflow is half the appeal. Think about:

• Whether you want a screen on one leaf or both.
• How an outswing or inswing door interacts with the screen.
• Whether a sliding or hinged screen suits your space.

Take a look at our 2-in-1 doors to see how a door and screen can work together. Screens also matter on bushfire-prone sites, as covered next.

What About French Doors on Bushfire-Prone Sites?

If your home is in a bushfire-prone area, your doors may need to meet a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating, and that affects the door, frame, glass and hardware. We can't assess your site, so check your BAL with a certifier or your local council before you order.

A few general points:

• BAL ratings vary by site, and the requirements for each level are different.
• Our entrance range includes bushfire-rated doors from BAL 19 to BAL 40, but French doors with large glass areas need extra care.
• Frames, glazing, screens and hardware can all be part of compliance.
• Always get written advice from a certifier before you buy.

The NSW Rural Fire Service and the Australian Building Codes Board are good starting points for understanding the framework. Then send us your BAL and we'll tell you what's available.

How Can You Preview French Doors on Your Own Home?

Use DoorVision, our door visualiser. It shows a door on a photo of your own home, so you can compare styles, colours and finishes from the comfort of your own home before you buy.

When we closed our showroom and moved online, photos became essential. Customers expect to see a door properly before deciding, and that's why we built DoorVision and why we create more imagery than our suppliers can provide.

For French doors, previewing helps you check:

• Whether the glazing pattern suits your facade.
• How a colour looks in your light.
• How the doors balance with sidelights, windows and your street appeal.

It won't replace measuring, but it takes a lot of guesswork out of the style decision.

How Do You Measure for External French Doors?

Measure the opening width and height in several places, record the frame depth and floor level, and check the swing clearance. Write every number down and note anything that isn't square. Small errors cause big problems with double doors, so measure twice.

Your measuring checklist:

• Width at the top, middle and bottom of the opening.
• Height at the left, centre and right.
• Wall thickness or frame depth.
• Floor levels inside and outside, and any step at the sill.
• Clearance for the doors to swing, inside or outside.
• Which way the active leaf should open.
• Whether walls are brick, timber stud or something else.
• Whether the opening is square and plumb.
• Any sidelights, and the space they need.
• A photo of the opening from inside and outside.

If you're unsure, send your measurements and photos through our contact page and we'll help you check before you order.

Should You Use an Installer or DIY?

Hire an installer for exposed openings, heavy glazed pairs, or anything involving sidelights, flashing or structural changes. Experienced carpenters may DIY a straightforward replacement, but double doors need an accurate, level frame and proper weatherproofing to work well.

Pairs of French doors are heavy and fussy. A frame that's slightly out of plumb leaves gaps, uneven seals and doors that won't latch.

DIY may be reasonable if:

• You have carpentry experience.
• It's a like-for-like replacement.
• You have help to lift and hold the leaves.

Choose an installer if:

• The opening needs modification.
• The site is exposed or bushfire-prone.
• You want a warranty-backed finish.

We have a preferred installer network in Sydney, Wollongong, Melbourne, the Central Coast and the Gold Coast. For Sydney, see our professional door installation page.

Ask Which Way It Faces Before You Ask What It Looks Like

Most French door enquiries start with style. We think they should start with orientation and overhead cover. A beautiful timber pair on a west-facing, uncovered patio can be a poor match, while the same doors under a deep verandah can be perfect.

Here's an example from Mark's experience. A customer moved into a brand new home in the Sydney area, and almost immediately the front door began bowing and cracking. The builder had fitted a cheap timber door on an entry that gets full sun all day with barely any overhead protection.

The customer rang Mark for another timber replacement. After a few questions about the situation, Mark suggested an aluminium door instead. As a Parkwood Specialist, he walked them through the benefits, including the 10 year warranty that comes with the product. He sent a quote and arranged an experienced local installer for Parkwood aluminium doors.

The customer was happy with the personal service from ordering to installation, and later came back to order another door for the back of the house.

That's a front door, not French doors, but the lesson carries straight over to patio pairs. Our position: if your doors face full sun with no cover, don't default to the look you've seen on Pinterest. Start with how the opening is exposed, then choose the material. Timber is still a great choice where it's sheltered or you're committed to maintaining it.

Not sure where your opening sits on that scale? Send us a photo and the compass direction through our contact page, and we'll give you a straight answer.

FAQs

Do external French doors open inwards or outwards in Australia?

Both are used. Outswing doors press into their seals in wind and rain but need clear space outside, while inswing doors keep hinges inside and clear the deck but rely on a good sill and seals. Choose based on exposure, space and security, and check any strata or council rules.

Are French doors secure enough for external use?

They can be, with the right hardware. Use flush bolts on the inactive leaf, a quality keyed or multipoint lock on the active leaf, sturdy hinges, and security-minded hinge details on outswing doors. Glass choice and screens also affect security.

Can I add sidelights to French doors?

Yes. Sidelights add light and width without making each leaf heavier. The frame must support the fixed panels, and the junctions need proper sealing and flashing. Look at our bi-folds and sidelights collection and tell us your opening size so we can advise what fits.

Are double glazed French doors worth it?

Double glazing is worth considering for comfort and noise, especially on west-facing or street-facing openings. It's less critical for well-sheltered patios. See our 4L double glazed French door page for the detail, and tell us your orientation so we can help you decide.

Can I fit a screen to external French doors?

Yes, but you need to plan around swing direction and frame depth. You can use a screen on one or both leaves, a sliding screen, or a 2-in-1 door that combines door and screen. Send us your layout and we'll suggest what works.

Do bushfire-prone homes need special French doors?

Possibly. If your site has a BAL rating, the door, frame, glass, screens and hardware may all need to comply. We can't assess your site, so get written advice from a certifier or your local council before buying, then contact us with your BAL.