Long admired for their European charm and elegance, French doors effortlessly blend indoor and outdoor spaces to create an inviting flow of natural light through the home. But beyond their classic beauty, many homeowners wonder: how secure are French doors? Below we explore how modern French doors combine traditional appeal with cutting-edge security features, making them a safe, stylish, and practical choice for your property. From robust frames to high-tech locks and durable glazing, we’ll show you why French doors are more than just a pretty entrance.
French doors are a timeless design choice, featuring 2 hinged doors with large glass panels that open from the centre. These doors can swing inward or outward depending on the installation, offering both convenience and character. While one door is often used for regular access, opening both doors creates a wide, inviting entryway that connects your indoor space with your garden, patio, or balcony. This makes French doors perfect for enjoying the outdoors or hosting gatherings, as they let in plenty of natural light and allow for easy movement between spaces. Plus, their ability to blend seamlessly with both modern and traditional home designs, has made these classic doors a firm favourite among homeowners and interior designers.
Like many patio doors, exterior French doors often face the misconception that they’re easy targets for break-ins. However, this is far from the truth thanks to modern security innovations. Today’s French doors can be equipped with advanced multi-point locking systems, offering the same level of reliability as any standard front door. These locks prevent the doors from being lifted out of their frames, and even if tampered with, they stay firmly shut. When you choose a trusted supplier, you can feel confident knowing your French doors offer strong security while still maintaining a practical and attractive design.
The security of French doors depends on a variety of factors, from the materials used to the quality of the locks and the type of glass. Here are some important considerations to keep in mind when selecting a reliable French door for your home:
The material used for the frame is crucial to the security and longevity of French doors. Aluminium is a top choice because it strikes the perfect balance between strength, durability, and a lightweight design. Known for its ability to resist warping and endure significant force, even in harsh weather conditions, aluminium doors remain strong and dependable over time, outperforming UPVC doors and wooden French doors. At Express, our French doors are made from premium grade aluminium, ensuring both long-lasting performance and low maintenance. With over 200 RAL colours and a variety of finishes, you can easily find a French door that fits your home’s look without compromising on security.
Choosing a reputable manufacturer is key to ensuring you get a French door that’s both secure and built to last. High-quality doors should offer a balance of strength and design to provide a reliable and safe entrance to your home. At Express, we take pride in our British-made products, all crafted in our state-of-the-art 200,000-square-foot facility in Leeds. With a skilled team of over 200 professionals and the latest CNC machinery, we ensure every door meets high standards of craftsmanship. We oversee everything from manufacturing to installation, so you can be confident in the quality of both the door and its fit. Our customers can also rely on our warranties, customer reviews, and case studies to help guide their decision. While investing in a well-made door may require a higher upfront cost, it provides long-term value through greater security and reliability, giving you peace of mind for years to come.
Even the strongest French doors can lose their effectiveness if not installed correctly. Professional installation is crucial to make sure the doors are fitted properly, allowing them to operate smoothly and meet their security standards. When installed by experienced professionals, French doors fit tightly in the frame, reducing gaps that could otherwise become weak points. Professional installation helps to maximise the door’s secure features, prevent drafts, and ensure energy efficiency, making it a smart investment for homeowners.
Locks play a vital role in the reliability of any door, and French doors are no exception. Many modern French doors, including those from Express, are equipped with multi-point locking systems. These systems lock the door at several points along the frame, distributing the force across multiple areas, making it harder for intruders to break in. Additionally, reinforced locks and frames provide extra protection. Express French doors come with 5-point locks, steel shoot-bolt locking rods, and high-security 3-star diamond-rated BSI cylinders as standard features. Like our other products, such as front doors, sliding doors, and bifold doors, our French doors are fitted with tamper-proof, multi-point locking systems for reliable security.
Since French doors often feature multiple glass panels, the type of glass used is critical for security. High-quality glazing, like toughened or laminated glass, significantly improves the doors’ resistance to breakage. Toughened glass is stronger than regular glass and shatters into blunt pieces if broken, which reduces the risk of injury. On the other hand, laminated glass, featuring a plastic layer sandwiched between 2 sheets of glass, holds the glass together even if it cracks, making it significantly harder for intruders to break through. At Express, we use toughened low-E double glazing as standard in all our doors, combined with an internally glazed design that makes it more difficult for intruders to access your home.
One of the key benefits of aluminium French doors is how little maintenance they require. Aluminium is resistant to rust, corrosion, and warping, so these doors stay in excellent condition with minimal effort. This makes them a great choice for homeowners who want a secure and durable entryway without the hassle of constant upkeep. Typically, all it takes is an occasional cleaning to keep aluminium doors looking great and working well. With an aluminium French door, you can enjoy strong security and peace of mind, all while keeping maintenance to a minimum.
At Express, we offer a range of aluminium French doors designed to suit your specific needs. With over 200 RAL colours and several finishes, including satin and matte, you can easily customise the doors to fit your home, whether you prefer something bold or more subtle. Our doors feature advanced thermal break technology, which helps maintain consistent indoor temperatures by preventing drafts and reducing energy loss. The double-glazed units include specialist solar control glazing, keeping your rooms comfortable, lowering energy costs, and reducing heat transfer.
Each aluminium door is custom-made by our skilled in-house team, and we back our commitment to quality with a 10-year guarantee. Our French door range is built using the same system as our bifold and entrance doors, offering practical and reliable solutions for your home. This approach allows for consistent floor levels and sightlines across your entire property if you choose to install multiple Express products alongside your new French doors.
French doors are the perfect blend of traditional elegance and security, offering a bright, open feel while keeping your home safe and protected. With their strong frames, advanced locking systems, and shatter-resistant glass, today’s French doors are built to stand up to the demands of both everyday living and potential threats. At Express, we’ve designed our aluminium French doors with these security features in mind, giving you peace of mind without compromising on style. Whether you’re looking to add curb appeal or create an effortless connection to your outdoor space, our French doors provide the perfect balance of beauty, strength, and security.
Visit our showrooms or schedule a consultation to discover how we can help you bring secure, fashionable French doors into your home for years of lasting enjoyment