French doors take a lot of wear because they open and close daily, they face the weather and they often carry large panes of glass. We repair, restore and draught proof them, and we fit locking sets on request. Every job starts with a free visit.
Common French door problems
Firstly, doors drop on their hinges over time. As a result, the bottom corner catches on the threshold and the doors no longer meet in the middle. Gaps then open at the top, and draughts follow.
Timber also suffers at the base. Rain splashes onto the bottom rail, and moisture creeps in where paint has failed. So rot often starts low and spreads upwards. Meanwhile, worn seals let in dust and noise.
We can put most of these faults right without replacing the doors, because we repair first, in the same way as on our sash window repairs.
How we repair and restore
First, we check how far any decay goes and whether the doors are square. Then we cut out damaged timber and splice in new sections. Because the doors must look right, we shape each piece to match. Where joints have opened, we refix them so the frame is rigid again.
Then we prime and undercoat the new timber. That seals it against the weather, so the repair lasts. A bottom-rail splice on a window is £120, and a small splice is £80, plus prime and undercoat. We quote doors separately, because they vary in size and condition.
If a threshold or sill has rotted, the repair is similar to our sill repairs. In that case we splice in sound timber first and replace only when needed.
Draught proofing French doors
Draughts around French doors are also common because the gap down the middle, along the top and under the doors all let air through. We draught proof French doors as part of our service.
We use quality nylon brush pile seals, which are designed to last many years. They stop draughts and rattling, and they cut dust coming in. Our page on sash window draught proofing explains how the system works, and the same approach applies to doors.
Our five-year guarantee covers labour and the draught-proofing system. While you weigh up options, read our guide to draught proofing versus secondary glazing. It explains what each one fixes.
Locks and security
Likewise, external doors need good locks. We fit locking sets on request, either with the repair or on their own. Because some insurers set a minimum standard of security, check your policy first.
We explain the choices on our locks and security page. We also check that the frame can hold a lock, because a split timber will not.
Why repair rather than replace
Timber French doors often have good, old joinery. However, replacing them costs far more, and modern replacements rarely match the original look. So we keep the doors where we can, and we treat the weak points.
A repaired door keeps its original proportions and glazing bars. That matters on period homes because the doors are part of the character of the house.
Glass in French doors
However, large panes of glass are easy to damage. If one cracks, we can replace it with clear, safety laminate or satin glass. Our glass replacement page lists the options. In addition, we can supply any glass in the Pilkington range.
Keeping French doors in good order
A little care prevents most faults. For example, repaint chipped areas before water gets in, and keep the threshold drain clear. Also check the hinges and seals each year.
Our maintenance guide sets out a simple yearly routine for sashes, and much of it suits doors too. It takes only a few minutes.
Doors and windows together
Many homes have both, so we can repair the doors and overhaul the windows in one visit. An overhaul and draught proof is £188 per window, which you can see on the costs page. Combining jobs saves you a second visit and keeps the finish consistent.
If your sashes also need new cords, for example, our sash window overhaul covers that work.
Listed and conservation homes
French doors in listed buildings need extra care. Therefore we handle listed and conservation work case by case, so we check the rules with you first. See listed building sash windows for our approach.
Get a free quote
Finally, we visit, look at the doors and give you a written quote at no charge. Although the visit is free, there is no obligation to go ahead.
To begin, contact us with your postcode and a photo. We cover all Greater London postcodes, and often just outside the M25. We are open Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 18:00.