uPVC French Doors & Windows

This guide to french door upvc options explains how an upvc french door differs from an upvc french window, how each one opens, and what glass choices work best for a bright, secure entrance onto a balcony or garden. Both are built as a matching pair of sashes in uPVC framing rather than as a single opening.

What Is a French Door or French Window?

A French style opening uses two matching sashes set side by side in one frame, hinged on opposite outer edges so they meet in the middle rather than overlapping like a sliding pair. When the unit is sized to walk through, it is called a door; when it is sized and positioned like a window, the same layout is called a window. The shared idea in both is symmetry: two equal glazed sashes rather than one large one.

How UPVC French Doors Open

An upvc french door is made of two casement-style sashes hinged on opposite sides of the frame, meeting in the middle with no central post to block the view when both sides are closed. One sash usually opens first as the main door, and the second can be unlocked and opened too when the full width is needed, such as when moving furniture through or opening the space up fully for a gathering. This double-sash design is what gives a french door upvc its wide, symmetrical look compared with a single hinged door.

UPVC French Doors for Balconies and Gardens

A pair of Upvc Casement Door sashes set up as french doors is a common way to connect a living room or bedroom to a balcony or garden, since the full opening width makes moving between the two spaces easy. Where the opening is wider still, Casment Doors can be configured the same way, giving a similarly wide, glazed entrance without one door feeling too heavy to swing on its own. An Upvc Openable Door arrangement offers a similar idea where one or both sashes need to open fully rather than just tilt for background air.

UPVC French Windows for Larger Openings

Upvc french windows use the same paired-sash idea as french doors but are sized and positioned as windows rather than as a walk-through opening, often used where a wall is tall enough for glazing that reaches close to the floor without needing to function as a door. A pair of UPVC Casement Windows hung to meet at the centre creates this look, and Upvc Openable Windows set up the same way suit a dining or living room wall where the widest possible opening for airflow and light matters most. An upvc french window in this style reads as one wide feature rather than two separate windows.

Glass Options for French Doors and Windows

Glass french doors are usually glazed almost floor to ceiling, so the glass choice affects both looks and daily comfort more than it would on a smaller window. Toughened glass is a common safety choice for a door at ground level, since it breaks into small, blunt pieces rather than sharp shards if it is ever struck hard. Double glazed panels help keep a large glazed door comfortable through the year, and a frosted or tinted lower section can add privacy while the upper glass stays clear.

UPVC French Window Design Ideas by Room

An upvc french window design works well on a bedroom wall that opens onto a balcony, since it brings in more light and a wider view than a single window while still allowing the room to be closed off completely at night. In a living or dining room, the same design pairs naturally with a garden-facing wall, turning what could be a plain window into a feature that doubles as a secondary access point. Our Window Designs for Home guide looks at matching a window's shape to the rest of your home if you want ideas beyond the French style.

Comparing French Doors With Other Opening Styles

French doors are only one way to open a wide wall of glass. The table below compares them with a few alternatives covered in more depth in our Types of Windows guide.

Planning Your French Door or Window Project

Because a french door upvc or window unit is built as a matching pair, both sashes are measured and manufactured together so they align and seal properly once installed. Our team visits the site to confirm the opening size, checks whether the wall can take the full width you want, and puts together an itemised quote once the glass and hardware are chosen. For a sense of what affects pricing on a project like this, our uPVC Windows & Doors Price per Sq Ft guide explains the main factors without quoting a fixed rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a french door and a french window in upvc?

Both use two matching sashes hinged on opposite sides of one frame, meeting in the centre. A french door is sized to walk through and usually reaches the floor, while a french window is positioned and sized like a window, even when it shares the same paired-sash look.

Do both sashes of a french door open, or just one?

Typically one sash is the primary opening side used for everyday access, while the second can be unlocked and opened when the full width is needed. Both sashes are hinged and both can be operated, so the full opening is always available when required.

Can glass french doors be made secure enough for a ground floor entrance?

Yes, toughened glass and multi-point locking hardware are used on french doors the same way they are on any ground-floor entrance, and the paired-sash design does not weaken the lock points. Our team discusses hardware and glass options for your specific opening during the site visit.

Can an existing window opening be converted to a french window?

Sometimes, depending on whether the wall below the current opening can be adjusted and whether the structure above is load-bearing. Our team checks the opening on site before confirming whether a single window can be widened into a french-style pair.

Is an upvc french window design suitable for a small balcony?

Yes, a french window can work well on a smaller balcony since it widens the visual opening between indoors and outdoors without needing full walk-through clearance like a door. The exact width still depends on the wall available on either side of the opening.

Does a french door need a central frame between the two sashes?

Most french doors meet with a slim meeting stile rather than a wide central post, keeping the view mostly uninterrupted when both sashes are closed. This meeting point also carries the locking hardware that holds both sashes secure.