How much does it cost to install French doors?
How much does it cost to install French doors?
$600 – $3,000 interior door average cost installed
$1,300 – $5,500 exterior door average cost installed
Cost of French doors
The cost of French doors is $600 to $5,500 installed, depending on their size, location, glass type, and material. Durable exterior French doors cost $1,300 to $5,500 with installation, while interior French doors cost $600 to $3,000 installed. Custom French doors cost $3,000 to $15,000 on average.
| French door type | Average cost installed |
|---|---|
| Interior | $600 – $3,000 |
| Exterior | $1,300 – $5,500 |
French door cost by material
French door costs vary by material. Softwood frames typically cost the least, while reinforced clad wood costs the most.
| Material | Average price (materials only) |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | $650 – $2,500 |
| Wood | $300 – $2,000 |
| Clad wood | $2,500 – $5,000 |
| Fiberglass | $850 – $4,500 |
| Steel | $700 – $3,000 |
| Vinyl | $500 – $2,000 |
Aluminum French doors
Aluminum French doors cost $650 to $2,500 for the doors alone. This material is lightweight, low-maintenance, and durable but prone to fading. Since aluminum doesn’t insulate well, it’s most commonly used for interior doors or exterior doors in moderate climates.
Wood French doors
Wood French doors cost $300 to $2,000 on average, excluding installation. Hardwoods like walnut, oak, mahogany, cherry, and cedar cost more. Softer woods like pine, alder, and fir cost less. Wood French doors are available pre-stained, painted, or unfinished.
Clad wood French doors
Clad wood French doors cost $2,500 to $5,000 for the doors alone and are made with a wooden frame surrounded by vinyl or aluminum. This exterior cover provides extra protection against the elements.
Fiberglass French doors
Fiberglass French doors cost $850 to $4,500 before installation and are available in many colors and finishes. Fiberglass is a low-maintenance, lightweight material that insulates well, making it a popular choice for exterior doors.
Steel French doors
Steel French doors cost $700 to $3,000 for the doors alone. This material is popular in more contemporary or modern homes and is commonly used for telescoping French doors. Steel doesn't insulate well, so it’s mostly used for exterior doors in mild climates or for interior French doors.
Vinyl French doors
Vinyl French doors cost $500 to $2,000 on average, excluding installation. Vinyl is a low-maintenance material and is available in various colors and finishes, including wood grain texture. Vinyl French doors are commonly used as interior doors because the material can warp in high temperatures.
French door cost by type
Traditional French doors are a pair of side-by-side hinged doors that meet in the middle. However, French doors come in a variety of types and styles that suit any design, décor, and space. Choose the type of door according to the frame size and the amount of clearance.
| Type | Average price (materials only) |
Details |
|---|---|---|
| Single in-swing | $300 – $1,000 | One door that swings inward |
| Center-hinged | $1,000 – $1,500 | Two doors with a hinge in the middle |
| Single sliding | $800 – $2,000 | Door slides over a fixed panel |
| Double in-swing | $400 – $4,000 | Two doors that swing inward |
| Double out-swing | $400 – $4,000 | Two doors that swing outward |
| Telescopic | $1,500 – $6,000 | Heavy-duty sliding door with 3 panels |
Choose out-swing French doors if the space you're installing them in is small. This will allow for greater convenience, especially if you need to move large objects into or out of the room.
French door cost by glass type
The cost of the French door itself varies depending on the type and quality of the glass panes used. Impact or hurricane-proof glass costs more than average.
| Type | Average price (materials only) |
|---|---|
| Double-pane | $700 – $3,000 |
| Laminated | $500 – $1,200 |
| Tempered | $400 – $1,700 |
| Triple-pane | $800 – $5,000 |
Double-pane – Double-paned French doors are more energy efficient and insulate better than single-pane glass. The two panes are separated by an air space that provides insulation and reduces thermal transfer.
Laminated – Laminated glass is made with a glass pane between two layers of resin that protect the glass against breakage. If the glass breaks or cracks, the resin contains the glass inside the frame.
Tempered – Tempered glass, or safety glass, breaks apart into small chunks rather than shards. The smaller chunks of glass are less likely to cut and pierce through skin if the glass breaks.
Triple-pane – Triple-pane glass uses three layers of glass to insulate against extreme temperatures. Homeowners in extreme climates may choose triple-pane glass for their exterior doors due to the increased energy efficiency.
French door installation cost factors
The cost to install a French door depends mostly on its size, material, type, and location.
| Factor | Interior door average cost | Exterior door average cost |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $300 – $2,500 | $1,000 – $5,000 |
| Labor | $300 – $500 | $300 – $500 |
| Total installed cost | $600 – $3,000 | $1,300 – $5,500 |
The following additional factors affect the total installation cost:
Door size – While a standard French door is 72" x 80", they can be anywhere from 30 to 96 inches wide and 80 to 96 inches tall. Bigger doors require more materials and cost more.
Interior vs. exterior – Exterior French doors cost more than interior doors because they're usually made of sturdier hardwoods or clad wood. Avoid using a less expensive interior door as an exterior door, since interior doors are lighter and less energy efficient.
Weatherstripping – Weatherstripping costs $50 to $90 for French doors and improves your home's energy efficiency by preventing the overuse of heating and air conditioning.
Custom vs. prefabricated – Custom French doors cost $3,000 to $15,000 because they often use decorative glass, unique structural upgrades, or elaborate frames.
Hardware type – The cost of French doors varies depending on the quality and material of the locks, lever handles, fixed pulls, and bolts used.
Replacement – Replacing a French door costs $2,500 to $7,000 on average and includes removing and disposing of the old door. Replacing the glass costs $200 to $500 for an existing French door.
Paint – Having a door painted costs $200 to $400 for French doors.
Blinds – Installing blinds costs $30 to $200 per window for prefabricated blinds or $70 to $600 per window for custom blinds.
Style – The style of your French door determines the shape, amount of trim, and hardware. Popular door styles include Craftsman, French Country, Industrial, Modern Farmhouse, Shaker, Prairie, Spanish, and Victorian.
French door installation labor
Door installers typically charge $300 to $500 in labor fees to install a French door, depending on its size and material. Large, heavy doors are harder and more expensive to install than small, light doors.
The installer will charge more to cut and frame a new door opening if there is no existing opening or if it's too small for the door you want. Framing a new door opening costs $150 to $250 on average.
French door cost by brand
Name-brand French doors typically cost more than average. The table below lists the prices for French doors from popular manufacturers.
| Brand | Average price (materials only) |
Details |
|---|---|---|
| Andersen | $1,700 – $4,000 |
|
| Jeld-Wen | $800 – $2,500 |
|
| Marvin | $3,000 – $6,000 |
|
| Milgard | $3,000 – $5,000 |
|
| Pella | $2,000 – $5,000 |
|
| ProVia | $3,000 – $6,000 |
|
Cost of French doors vs. sliding doors
In comparison to French doors, a sliding glass door costs $700 to $2,400 with installation. A large sliding door with 2 to 3 panes of hurricane-proof glass costs $1,000 to $4,000. Sliding doors are budget-friendly and easy to repair, but they can break easily.
French door FAQs
What are French doors?
A French door is made with one or more panes of glass making up most of its length, allowing a large amount of natural light into the room. French doors are typically installed in pairs and are commonly used as patio doors.
How long does it take to install French doors?
Installing French doors takes 2 to 5 hours on average. This includes removing the old door if applicable, measuring the space, and installing the new door.
How long do French doors last?
Interior French doors last 30 and 50 years on average, while exterior French doors last 15 to 30 years. Their lifespan depends on the quality of the materials you choose. Vinyl doors typically don't last as long as fiberglass, metal, or clad-wood doors.
Do French doors add value to a home?
French doors add value to a home because they are customizable, versatile, and increase natural light. Adding French doors is an easy way to increase your home's resale value with minimal effort.
Getting estimates from French door installers
Before hiring a door installation company near you, follow these steps:
Compare at least 3 in-person estimates from installers that have been in business for 5+ years.
Choose a door installer who is licensed, bonded, insured, and has positive customer feedback on sites like HomeGuide and Google.
Get a written contract and warranty from the company before they begin the project.
Avoid the cheapest door installation estimate, as this often signals lower quality.
Don't pay in full until the installation is complete.
Questions to ask door installers
Ask door installers these questions before the project starts:
How long have you been in business?
What type of French door do you recommend for my home, and why?
How much heat can this material handle?
Will the installation affect the surrounding walls?
What does this estimate include?
What other costs might come up during installation?
How long will the installation take?
What does your warranty cover?
What ongoing maintenance will the door require?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.