Should You Choose Steel French Doors for Your Home? Pros, Cons, and Alternatives

A stunning set of French doors is a classic enhancement that can open up a space and make it feel more inviting. But when you begin the process of making that vision a reality, it’s essential to consider the logistics that will lead to a quality, long-lasting result. 

When it comes to material, steel French doors are a great option for many people, but they come with some disadvantages as well. In this guide, take a closer look at where steel doors shine and several alternatives to consider.

Pros of Steel French Doors 

Every homeowner wants the small details of their home to feel luxurious and natural. Steel French doors are one option to pull the design of a room together, but why should you consider choosing this material over the alternatives? Steel is one of the most timeless materials, contemporary and sleek in a modern space. 

But steel doors and windows are beneficial for more than understated design trends. Here’s what else they have to offer:

Durability

Perhaps the most significant factor in the selection of steel French doors is the strength of their framework, which helps the system hold up against force and everyday wear. All the while, they span distances with glass easily because they support the weight and provide the much-needed structure. 

Narrow Sightlines

Because of the inherent strength of the steel, it does not require much to support your glass panes. That means your steel French doors can have sleek, thin frames that are much narrower than you might get with other materials. The result is that you get to take in the full beauty of the view beyond your French doors. 

Design and Customization

When performance is your primary objective, you will have plenty of options with steel doors. The metal itself is moldable into just about any shape which means that the sky’s the limit when it comes to your design work. Whatever configuration, shape, or element you want may be right at your fingertips with steel doors.  

Sustainability

Steel is considered one of the most sustainable materials in the world because it can be recycled endlessly without losing its properties or producing toxic runoff. If you choose a thermally broken option to be installed in your home, it also delivers energy efficiency. 

Cons of Steel French Doors 

While there are certainly many benefits to this design element, there are a few drawbacks to plan for if you pursue this option. For one, choosing steel can increase your expected French door costs.

Another factor is the weight of a steel door. It requires careful planning to make these doors glide effortlessly due to their strength and overall weight. Unless you have a system engineered to make your door feel weightless, it may require extra effort to open and close, especially for children or elderly guests. 

The other disadvantage of steel doors is that the metal is prone to corrosion. This is especially true if you live in coastal areas where saltwater can rust and ruin your metal doors. It is worth the extra investment to get a steel French door with a durable, corrosion-resistant finish, but it may mean your budget takes a hit. 

Alternative Materials

Of course, steel is not the only material that you can consider in the French door design of your home or office. You can also get quality wood, aluminum, wood-clad, or vinyl French doors to better suit your budget if steel is out of reach. They may also come with benefits that outweigh what you would get with a steel door.

Aluminum

If you want a high-quality door that fits within a smaller budget, aluminum is one route to consider. Unlike steel French doors, they are lightweight, minimizing the engineering costs to make them practical in the daily use of your home. Over the long run, they require very minimal maintenance. Plus, you can invest in thermally broken doors to get the maximum impact in terms of energy efficiency. 

Wood

Wood is bound to be more expensive than aluminum doors, but it offers another timeless look. Its aesthetic is clean and natural, allowing it to blend into a contemporary design scheme. One of the benefits of a wooden door is that it provides better insulation than some other materials. At the same time, the right species of wood is durable and holds up well to wear and tear.

Wood Clad

Get the best of both worlds of aluminum and wood with a wood-clad door – you get the aesthetic of wood with the enhanced durability of an aluminum frame. This lightweight option offers a warm, timeless look and cuts back on the amount of maintenance and upkeep you’d need for a solid wood door. The result is a stronger door with better insulation and noise control. 

Vinyl 

If budget is your first priority, vinyl is also a potential option for French doors. This material provides a low-cost alternative but beware of the risks: peeling, cracking, warping, and discoloration are all common in the long run with vinyl. If you want a door that is going to stand the test of time, steel, wood, and aluminum are the better options. 

Explore Premium Steel French Doors and More

Are you debating your options for French doors in your home or office space? Panda Windows & Doors is a custom luxury window and door manufacturer and our team can easily walk you through all of your options, their advantages, and why you might choose one over the other. 

If you want a high-end look in your home, then that’s what we at Panda do best. Reach out to us today to learn more about how we can help you engineer a solution that works perfectly for your unique property!