Doors · 4 min read · Updated 2026
French doors: when they beat bifolds and sliders
On a modest opening, French doors give you more usable glass, better sealing and a lower price than either alternative.
Why they still make sense
There is no running gear to maintain, no track to clog with grit, and compression seals on both leaves make them easy to weatherproof.
They also suit period properties, where a bifold would look conspicuously modern.
What to watch
You need swing space, inside or out. Consider which leaf is the master, where the flush bolts sit, and whether side screens would give you more glass without more cost.