Your house has a nice back garden or terrace overlooking the living room, where you love to read on sunny afternoons. You would like to enhance it more and make the most of the light that enters from that direction. The problem is that you don’t know how to choose a French door that is beautiful and safe.
The French windows are a convenience, but also an access route for thieves and thieves . Not to mention heat loss : the larger the glass surface, the easier it is for heat or cool to pass from the inside to the outside. Do not worry: in this article we will see how to choose a French door , taking into account all your needs.
There are many models of patio doorsFrench door models , which makes the choice more difficult for those who are not in the industry. Beyond the aesthetics, you have to consider above all the functionality of each model. How much light can it let in
E suitable for large French windows or only good for small ones. These are all factors to take into account, in order to make the most of the characteristics of the different French door models .
The most relevant difference concerns the type of door opening . There are three broad categories, which remain unchanged from brand to brand. Let’s see them together. Casement French door
The casement French doorit is the most classic and widespread solution, as well as the easiest to assemble. The door is connected to the frame vertically and on one side only; when you open it, it moves towards the inside of the room. For this reason, the solution is not suitable for very large French windows with heavy doors, difficult to support for the hinges. No masonry work is required to
install such a French window . Even with the above limitation, it is suitable for all types of homes and is very versatile . It has only one flaw: when you open it, the door takes up spacewhich you cannot use and remains clearly visible. This is a problem if you live in a studio apartment and every inch is precious. If you love minimalist design and want everything to always be in order, it can be just as annoying. Sliding French door
A sliding French door is a more elegant solution than a swing door and, in some ways, even more comfortable. To open, slide the door into the wall or over a portion of glass , depending on the model chosen. In the first case, you make a piece of wall disappear and create an opening on the terrace or garden. In the second, you can still let in a lot of light from the fixed glass portion.
Unfortunately, a retractable sliding patio doorrequires prepared walls. In fact, a special space is needed in which to make the door “disappear”. If it is not already there, you need to estimate that you will need masonry work before installation. Otherwise, you can choose a sliding sliding door , that is, with a fixed sash. The first trend of green furniture: Zero Waste Design
The first trend is represented by Zero Waste Design , that is a style characterized by zero waste projects, that is projects that do not lead to the production of waste. It is a design approach that allows you to create objects by recycling previously discarded elements. In this way, innovative materials are created, often characterized by high technical characteristics.
In home design this trend is used above all for the creation of design lamps . Objects that would have ended up in the trash are instead 100% recycled by the great designers. By maintaining the shapes and characteristics of the initial material, the designers give life to new styles of lighting: glass bottles, cans, vases and even packaging cartons can represent the scenography of an excellent sustainable design lighting that combines elegance, quality, style and respect for the environment. Tilting French door
Among the different models of French doorsand the least common. Just like in the case of simple windows, the tilting French door has a horizontal hinge at the bottom. This allows you to open it only partially, without opening the entire door and letting some air pass through.
You can choose the flap for your kitchen , a room often equipped with a balcony and in which a lot of steam accumulates. Be careful, however: models of this type are not suitable for very large French windows. You risk that in the long run the weight will wear down the mechanism and break it. The mosquito net for the French window
. The mosquito net for the French windowand a must, especially if the opening overlooks the garden. It allows you to keep it open even in midsummer, without fear of swarms of tiger mosquitoes or other insects. However, you must choose a model that supports the functionality of the French window. In particular, the mosquito net must be:
- resistant , since it covers a large surface and has to withstand the stresses of the wind;
- can be opened at will, so you can move in and out effortlessly.
The simplest solution, in the case of an insect screen for French doors , is the hinged door : the insect screen is equipped with fixed panels that you can open and close at will. The assembly is elementary and you do not need masonry work, but you have all the typical problems of the sash. Alternatively, you can choose a sliding mosquito net.
The sliding mosquito net is in turn equipped with fixed panels and runs on rails. Despite its size, it is easy to open and does not take up precious space. In addition, it is also suitable for large French windows . Unfortunately, it has the limitations we have already seen for the sliding French door. Armored French door yes or no
When it comes tohow to choose a French door , safety is an essential topic. The windows are a delicate point , more fragile than the wall and therefore easier for a thief to bypass. The bigger they are, the more likely someone is to try to use them to get into your house. This is why you may need an armored French door , especially if you live on the ground floor or first floor. The higher you go, the less the need is felt.
Just like doors, armored patio doors are also divided into 6 classes. The more the class increases, the harder it is to forcefully open the window. For a city apartment, a class 3 is perfectly fine, requiring at least 20 minutes of intense work to force it. If your house is a little isolated or you live in a particular area, focus on class 4 or 5.
An armored French door has aluminum or steel profiles , with stainless steel frames. In addition to being safe, it also guarantees acoustic and thermal insulation. This way it makes you sleep more peacefully and makes your bills lighter. Which glass to choose for the French window
We concentrated on how to choose the French window itself, not to mention the glass. Yet you need good glass to insulate your homeand keep thieves out. Based on your needs you can choose between the following types of glass.
- Double glazing consisting of two or three panes of glass, interspersed with cavities filled with air or inert gas.
- Low-emissivity glasses . The structure is the same as the double glazing, but one of the two sheets is covered with a film that reduces heat dispersion. It’s a great choice if you live in the mountains or if the room faces north, so it’s a bit cooler than the rest of the house.
- Selective glasses , which only let in light but not infrared rays. Also in this case, we speak of double glazing with a special coating placed on one of the two glasses. Selective glazing is fine if the room faces south and you risk it accumulating too much heat, especially in summer.
- Sound absorbing glass , ideal if you live near the railway or on a busy street. They guarantee above-average sound insulation, so you can enjoy your home without hassle.
And single-pane glasses
have now almost disappeared from the market, as they are fragile and not very insulating. Compared to double glazing, they disperse about 40% of the heat. We will not miss it.
