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Install internal French doors.
Glazed double doors between living spaces — supplied, fitted and decorated to spec.
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Costs, timelines, pitfalls and the right questions to ask before any doors starts on internal French Doors.
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Top tips
Hiring a doors, without the regret.
Four moves that separate a smooth job from a nightmare.
Meeting stile gap
Frame twist or floor unevenness leaves a light gap. Pack the lining at the relevant corner.
Carpet clearance
Forgetting the carpet pile means the doors won't open over the new flooring — leave 12–15mm minimum.
Bolt friction
The inactive leaf bolts grind into the floor and head plate after a year — fit brass cup-strikes to take the wear.
Cheap glazing
Single-pane stuck-on bars look fake. Pay extra for true divided lights or laminated etched designs.
Costs & timeline
Know what it costs. Know when it ends.
Indicative UK ranges and what affects price.
Cost range
By job type
Inc. VAT · 2026
Source: NMT quotes
Source: NMT quotes
Pine French doors, supplyStock sizes, paint-grade
£180–£350
Oak French doors, supplyReal-oak veneer or solid
£350–£800
Glazed walnut/contemporaryStripped pane bar designs
£500–£1.2k
Lining set & architravePine or oak veneer
£60–£180
Hardware (hinges, latch, bolts)Brass, satin, chrome
£40–£180
Carpenter labourOne day, single carpenter
£250–£500
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Quote spread is typically ± 18% — always get 3 quotes.
At a glance
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Doors explained
Internal French doors — a pair of glazed doors splitting two rooms — give you the option to open up or close down without losing light. They are the classic kitchen-diner-to-living-room solution. Expect to pay £450–£2,200 fitted in the UK for a 1.2–1.8m pair, including hardware.
What Does the Work Involve?
The work starts with measuring the existing opening or widening it if you're going from single door to French pair (most are widened from 762mm to 1372mm). New stud-work and lintel may be needed in a plasterboard wall; a solid wall needs a steel lintel. The lining (frame) is fitted to the rough opening, the architrave is mitred and pinned, the door slabs are hung on three hinges each (1.5 pairs total), the latch/lock is fitted to the active leaf, and bolts top and bottom secure the inactive leaf. Floor-clearance is critical — most installers leave 8–10mm.
Typical Costs
| Item | Low (£) | High (£) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pine French doors, supply | 180 | 350 | Stock sizes, paint-grade |
| Oak French doors, supply | 350 | 800 | Real-oak veneer or solid |
| Glazed walnut/contemporary | 500 | 1,200 | Stripped pane bar designs |
| Lining set & architrave | 60 | 180 | Pine or oak veneer |
| Hardware (hinges, latch, bolts) | 40 | 180 | Brass, satin, chrome |
| Carpenter labour | 250 | 500 | One day, single carpenter |
| Widening opening | 300 | 900 | Stud wall; more for solid wall |
How Long Does It Take?
Like-for-like swap in an existing wide opening: 5–6 hours. With widening of the opening and new lintel: 2–3 days including making good and decoration.
DIY or Professional?
A confident DIYer can hang French doors in an existing lined opening; widening the wall is professional work. The pair must be hung in matched sequence — get the leading-edge bevel and meeting stile right or the doors won't shut together.
Choosing the Right Tradesperson
Use a carpenter or joiner with experience hanging double doors. Ask to see previous work — the meeting stile alignment is the giveaway of a quality job. For widening solid walls, use a builder for the lintel and a plasterer for make-good.
UK Regulations
Internal doors normally don't need building-regs notification — they're not thermal elements. Glazing in doors and side panels within 800mm of finished floor level must be safety glass to BS 6206 (Approved Document Part K). Fire doors (FD30) are required between a habitable room and an integral garage, or between a third-storey habitable room and the stair.
Common Problems
- Meeting stile gap: Frame twist or floor unevenness leaves a light gap. Pack the lining at the relevant corner.
- Carpet clearance: Forgetting the carpet pile means the doors won't open over the new flooring — leave 12–15mm minimum.
- Bolt friction: The inactive leaf bolts grind into the floor and head plate after a year — fit brass cup-strikes to take the wear.
- Cheap glazing: Single-pane stuck-on bars look fake. Pay extra for true divided lights or laminated etched designs.
Frequently Asked Questions
French doors vs sliding internal doors?
French doors give 100% clear opening but need swing space. Sliders give 50% opening but no swing — better for tight corridors or rooms with furniture near the wall.
What size opening do I need?
Standard French doors come as 1372mm or 1524mm pairs. Add 30–40mm for the lining. So a 1404–1444mm rough opening fits a 1372mm pair.
Should glazing be obscured?
If privacy matters between rooms (e.g. study to living room), use frosted, stippled or reeded glass. Clear glass maximises light transfer but reveals everything.
Can French doors be fire-rated?
Yes — FD30 (30-minute) glazed French doors exist but cost 2–3x as much. Only needed where the wall is itself fire-resisting (e.g. between dwelling and integral garage).
Solid or hollow-core doors?
Solid-core doors give better acoustic isolation (rated 26–28 dB) and feel more substantial. Hollow-core (£40–£80 cheaper per leaf) is fine for low-traffic rooms.
Are French doors draughty between rooms?
If hung well and with brush seals on the meeting stile, no. If hung poorly with a 3mm gap, yes — and they'll whistle in a windy house.
This guide was written with AI assistance and is intended for general information only. Prices are estimates based on UK averages and may vary by region. Always get at least three quotes and consult a qualified professional before starting any work.
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