The classic split opening, modern aluminium engineering. Slim sightlines, any RAL colour, low-threshold options for rear extensions — Origin, Cortizo and Schüco.
5-star on Google
2,000+
Homes fitted since 2016
FENSA
Registered installer
10-Year Guarantee
Product + workmanship, insurance-backed
Made in Britain
Designed and built in the UK
Honest Quoting
No commission, no pressure, no surprises
FENSA Registered
Every install fully certified
About French doors
French doors are the right choice when you want the architecturally-correct rear elevation — two symmetric sashes meeting at a central mullion, both opening, period proportions but modern engineering. We fit Origin as our standard for British-made aluminium with the longest frame guarantee, Cortizo where the slimmest sightlines and triple-glazing-as-standard matter, and Schüco where the project demands the German engineering benchmark.
Two sashes meeting in the middle — architecturally correct on period rear elevations, equally at home on contemporary builds. The most timeless aluminium door pattern there is.
Modern aluminium French doors have frame-to-glass ratios that period timber French doors never could. Slim, contemporary, but the proportions stay traditional.
Specify either direction at survey based on your floor plan and how you want the doors to interact with the space — patio furniture, internal flow, threshold layout.
Thermally-broken aluminium with triple glazing as standard on Cortizo, optional on Origin. Year-round warmth, the same spec as the windows on the rest of the house.
Three brands
British family aluminium since 2002
Made in High Wycombe, UK
Origin’s French doors made in High Wycombe by a British family business since 2002. Slim-sightline thermally-broken aluminium, powder-coated to any RAL colour from the in-house paint line, with the longest manufacturer guarantee in the industry. The Soho variant adds Crittal-style glazing bars across the doors.
Slim-sightline Spanish aluminium
Engineered in Galicia, Spain
Cortizo’s aluminium French doors from Galicia, Spain — featuring some of the slimmest aluminium sightlines on the European market. Triple-glazed as standard for warm year-round comfort, tested to the latest UK security standard. Where the project demands the slimmest frame-to-glass ratio possible.
German engineering benchmark
Engineered in Bielefeld, Germany
Schüco’s premium aluminium French doors. The widely-acknowledged engineering benchmark in the European market, specified on architectural projects worldwide. Where the project demands the highest level of thermal performance, security and lifetime reliability. Available on request — ask us at survey.
Configurations
The right configuration depends on the opening width, whether you want fixed side panels for proportion, and the threshold spec. We'll confirm at survey.
Two equal-width sashes meeting at the centre mullion, both opening. The most common French door configuration for rear elevations 1.5-2.2m wide. Multi-point hook lock on each sash.
Two French sashes flanked by one or two fixed side panels — for wider openings (2.5-3.5m) where two sashes alone would look out of proportion. Matched frame finish across the whole set.
A flush low-threshold setup keeps the inside-to-outside transition clean — popular on rear extensions where the patio sits level with the floor. Aluminium thresholds achieve this in a way timber French doors can’t.
10-Year Guarantee
Product + workmanship, insurance-backed
Made in Britain
Designed and built in the UK
Honest Quoting
No commission, no pressure, no surprises
FENSA Registered
Every install fully certified
Common questions
French doors are two side-by-side sashes that meet in the middle and both open out (or in) — the classic split opening. 'Patio door' is a looser term — usually refers to sliding doors or sometimes bifolds. French doors give you the symmetric look and traditional proportions; sliders give you slimmer sightlines and a different feel. We have all three on display in the showroom.
It depends on the room layout, what's behind the doors when open, and personal preference. Outward-opening keeps the floor space inside clear and is the more traditional spec on period rear elevations. Inward-opening (sometimes called 'opening in' or reverse) suits homes where the patio is narrow or where outdoor furniture sits close to the doors. We'll discuss at survey based on what works for your space.
Yes — aluminium French doors handle a flush low threshold cleanly, where timber traditionally couldn't without long-term weather issues. The most popular choice on rear extensions where the patio is level with the interior floor. We'll confirm the threshold spec at survey based on the floor finish and external level.
A pair of French sashes alone are most common at 1.5-2.2m total opening width. Beyond that — say 2.5-3.5m — we typically add fixed side panels flanking the openable sashes to keep the proportions right. If you want a wider clear opening with no fixed panels, that's where bifolds or sliding doors come in.
Yes — thermally-broken aluminium frames with double or triple glazing meet and exceed Building Regulations on U-Value performance. The Cortizo systems we fit come triple glazed as standard, Origin is double with triple-glazing optional, both deliver year-round warmth. The 'aluminium = cold' reputation is from windows made before the polyamide thermal break was standard. Everything we install has it built in.
Real installs, real reviews
From period rear extensions in Stamford to contemporary new builds in Cambridge, here's what homeowners say about working with us on their French door projects.
Required new composite front and back door. Visited my home and provided information of the product, very friendly and personable with a no pressure sales technique. Competitive quote provided and fitting date locked in. Fitter arrived first thing in the morning.
The process was very quick and straight forward. Love my door and it is very smooth to unlock. Great value and helpful staff.
Get your French door quote
Tell us about your project — opening width, brand preference, threshold spec, target install date. Written quote in 48 hours, no deposit until you’re happy.