How Much Does It Cost to Install French Doors? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $2,000 - $5,000
The average cost to install French doors is $3,500, and most homeowners pay between $2,000 and $5,000. You may pay up to $6,000, depending on size, material, and location.
Renowned for their aesthetic appeal and ability to seamlessly merge indoor and outdoor spaces, French doors are an elegant option for your home. In this guide, we’ll break down the cost to install French doors, some factors you should consider in the process, and more.
- Average
- $3,500
- Low end
- $300
- high end
- $6,000
French Door Installation Cost Factors
There are a few things that influence the cost of installing French doors—especially the materials you choose.
Type
French doors cost anywhere from $300 to $6,000, depending on the style of the door. The most traditional type of French door consists of two doors that open and close side-by-side, but modern French doors come in a variety of options. Single in-swing doors come in at the lower end of the price range, while telescoping doors come in at the higher end.
French Door Material
The type of material you choose for the frame of your French doors plays a huge role in the cost of the doors, with materials ranging from $500 to $4,000 on average for just the materials.
Vinyl French doors offer the most budget-friendly option, while steel, fiberglass, and high-end wood and clad-wood doors come towards the higher end of the price range.
| French Door Material | Average Price Range |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | $650 – $3,000 |
| Clad-Wood | $2,500 – $5,500 |
| Fiberglass | $800 – $5,000 |
| Steel | $700 – $4,000 |
| Vinyl | $500 – $2,000 |
| Wood | $500 – $4,000 |
The frame materials differ in price but also in appearance, longevity, and energy efficiency. Since French doors are less insulative than a solid exterior door without as much glass, many homeowners opt for the more insulative–and more expensive materials–like fiberglass and clad-wood. Make sure you consider the efficiency of your material when deciding which is right for you, as this can affect the ongoing cost of your doors as well.
Glass Type
French doors’ signature aesthetics come down to the classic use of glass encompassed by a frame. As a result, the type of glass you choose can have a noticeable effect on the appearance but also the price of your project.
Exterior French doors usually need a strong type of glass—like double- or triple-paned—for security, for energy efficiency, and to dampen noises from outside. Interior French doors can get by with a single pane of tempered or laminated glass. Of course, doors that use less glass in total will be less expensive. The table below includes a breakdown of the different types of glass for your French doors and their respective costs.
| Type of Glass | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Double-pane glass | $700–$3,000 |
| Laminated glass | $500–1,200 |
| Single-pane glass | $400–$2,000 |
| Tempered glass | $400–$1,700 |
| Triple-pane glass | $800–$5,000 |
Interior vs. Exterior French Doors
Installation costs for interior French doors cost $500 to $2,200 less than exterior French doors, on average, in large part because the glass doesn’t need to be as secure or insulated. Though it may seem like you can save money by purchasing an interior French door to use as an exterior door, that’s not a good idea, as you’ll see below.
Interior French Doors Cost
Interior French doors cost between $400 and $2,000 on average. While often beautiful and made with gleaming glass panes, interior doors aren’t durable enough to function as exterior French doors—meaning they’re made with and are:
Less moisture-resistant materials, including softwood like pine, alder, or fir
Less durable against humidity changes or direct UV radiation
Single-pane, thinner glass panels
Less insulated or soundproofed
Not as secure
Exterior French Doors Cost
Exterior doors cost between $1,000 and $4,000 on average. You’ll find that exterior French doors are significantly heavier than interior French doors. The type of materials for exterior doors account for the higher prices and may include the following:
Moisture-resistant materials, including hardwoods like mahogany or cedar
Reinforced clad wood with an aluminum shell for added durability
Stronger, energy-efficient glass that dampens sound better and adds security
Additional weatherstripping and sealing during the installation process
Labor and Installation
The cost to hire a pro to install your French doors ranges between $140 and $600 on average. Most professional door installers will charge between $70 and $120 per hour, and French door installations take anywhere from two to five hours.
Removing the old frame, measuring the opening, installing the new frame, fitting the door, and installing the hardware that comes with the door is a laborious and time-consuming process, so paying a professional to do the work for you is usually well worth the investment.
French Door Cost by Type
The type of French door you choose, and its opening direction, affect the cost of your installation as well. Some doors are easier to install and take less time, while other doors are more complicated and require a few extra steps. The difference in pricing will depend largely on the professional you hire, so it’s best to get a quote from an expert for your particular French door style.
Single In-Swing French Doors: Single in-swing French doors cost $300 to $1,000 and swing inward toward the interior of your home or room. They fall on the low end of the price range because they consist of a single door rather than two doors but cost more if they come with glass panels.
Double In-Swing French Doors: The cost of a double in-swing French door is $400 to $4,000. It consists of two doors meeting in the middle without a frame in the center and opens inward. These doors are most commonly used between rooms or on patios.
Double Out-Swing French Doors: Double out-swing French doors are essentially the same as double in-swing doors and also cost $400 to $4,000. These doors swing outwards, making them ideal for exterior doors and when space inside the doors is limited due to furniture or interior walls.
Single Sliding Doors: A single sliding door costs $800 to $2,000. French doors and sliding doors are different, but single sliding doors resemble classic French doors. The door slides over a fixed panel rather than operating on a hinge, which is great if you don’t have the space to open a traditional door.
Center-Hinged French Doors: The cost of a center-hinged door is $1,000 to $4,000. The higher price is due to the additional framing in the center of the door. These doors are less common and might need to be custom-ordered, which can drive up the price.
Telescoping Sliding Doors: A telescopic sliding door is a heavy-duty, premium French door that costs $1,500 to $6,000. It features at least three sliding panels that open from either side. The additional doors and unique sliding mechanisms account for the higher price.
Custom French Doors: Custom French doors range from $3,000 to $10,000. From decorative glass to elaborate frames and custom colors, these custom doors will increase your cost by 10% to 30%.
French Door Cost by Material
As is the case with any exterior door or window, the frame material matters a great deal when pricing out French doors.
| French Door Material | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Vinyl | $500–$2,000 |
| Wood | $500–$4,000 |
| Fiberglass | $800–$5,000 |
| Aluminum | $650–$3,000 |
| Clad-wood | $2,500–$5,500 |
| Steel | $650–$4,000 |
Vinyl French Doors: Vinyl is the most affordable material for French doors, at $500 to $2,000. It comes in many finishes and colors and is lightweight and low-maintenance. However, it’s susceptible to warping in heat, is less durable, and is a poor insulator. Vinyl might be a good option for interior French doors but not for exteriors unless you live in a moderate climate.
Wood French Doors: Wood French doors cost $500 to $4,000 and offer the most natural appearance. Softwood materials like fir, alder, or pine are the most cost-friendly, but they’re not as durable as hardwood and are usually only suitable for interior French doors. Hardwoods like mahogany, oak, walnut, or cedar cost more because of their strength and durability, better withstand moisture and temperature changes, and are good insulators. Wood is better for exterior doors in harsh climates, but when it comes to efficiency, fiberglass doors are better than wood doors.
Fiberglass French Doors: Fiberglass French doors cost $800 to $5,000. Fiberglass door frames are one of the most durable options. This material is an excellent insulator, making it ideal for outdoor doors in extreme climates. It also mimics the appearance of solid wood.
Aluminum French Doors: On average, aluminum French doors cost $650 to $3,000. Aluminum is a durable, lightweight, and low-maintenance material that tends to come in black or white. It’s a poor insulator, making it better for moderate climates. This budget-friendly material is less durable, won’t last as long, and may cost more in the long run.
Clad-Wood French Doors: Clad-wood French doors cost between $2,500 and $5,500. They offer the modern charm of aluminum on the outside and the warmth of natural wood on the inside. This option adds stability to wooden doors, making it a solid patio door material for homes in extreme climates.
Steel French Doors: On average, Steel French doors cost $650 to $4,000. Steel is one of the most durable door materials on the market. Since steel has an industrial appearance, you’re more likely to find this material in modern or contemporary homes. On the downside, steel is a poor insulator, costs more, and can be challenging to source.
Common French Door Add-Ons
Homeowners who really want to step up their home’s look and feel may opt for add-on products when installing French doors. Things like custom window treatments, upgraded hardware, security features, and special insulative glass will all drive up your pricing. Following are some of the average prices for French door add-ons you might want to consider.
| French Door Add-On | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|
| Custom window treatments | $50–$2,000 |
| Decorative hardware | $50–$400 |
| Low-emissivity (low-E) glass | $350–$1,000 |
| Multipoint lock system | $50–$200 |
| Shatterproof window film | $300–$400 |
| Tinting | $80–$2,000 |
| Paint or finishing | $150–$200 per side |
Additional French Door Costs
It’s important to consider the upfront cost to install French doors in your home before you move forward with the project, but you should also think about ongoing costs.
Maintenance
French doors require maintenance, depending on the frame material. Refinish wood and wood-clad French doors every five to 10 years, and repaint aluminum frames every five years.
Fiberglass French doors come in various base colors, and you won’t need to paint or refinish. You can paint vinyl frames, but they’re a poor surface for paint adhesion. If you DIY, plan to spend around $40 on the paint and tools, or hire a pro for $100 to $300.
Repairs
Your French doors might need repairs from time to time, especially with less durable frame materials. Some repairs include:
Removing dents, dings, and warping—these door repairs cost up to $300 each
Restoring a broken seal on a single pane of glass in an exterior French door costs about $200
Repairing locks, handles, hinges, or other hardware costs $100 each
Replacement
You might run into the need for a partial replacement for your French door, especially for exterior doors exposed to the elements.
Below are average prices you could run into for a partial door replacement:
Single pane of glass: $100–$200
Single French door: $200–$1,000
French door hardware: $75–$300
Cost to Install French Doors Yourself
You’ll save $140 to $600 if you install the doors yourself, which is typically what the labor cost will be when you hire an expert. You’ll still be on the hook for the cost of your door and the tools and supplies you need, so you can expect to pay between $300 and $4,500 to install your French doors yourself, depending on materials, door size, and more.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
While it might seem enticing to install your French doors yourself, it’s not usually a good idea–unless you are a skilled DIYer.
French doors are heavy, extremely bulky, fragile, and expensive, and one small mishap during the installation could leave you with thousands of dollars wasted, plus a giant hole in your exterior wall where the door was meant to go. Even if you maneuver it into place safely, there are a lot of things that could go wrong when leveling and centering the door.
Installing French doors requires meticulous attention and the expertise to create a strong seal, which is imperative for maintaining some semblance of energy efficiency in your home. In most cases, it pays to hire a local door installer to do the job the right way.
7 Ways to Save on French Door Installation
If you want the luxury that French doors offer without the price tag, there are several ways you can shave some money off the cost of your project. Follow these tips on how to save on your French door installation:
Choose vinyl for the lowest price and lowest long-term maintenance costs.
Pick a single in-swing French door, rather than a double or telescoping door.
Avoid high-end materials and styles, like triple-pane glass and fiberglass frames.
Opt for tempered or laminated glass for better security.
Install interior French doors instead of exterior doors.
Hire a professional to install your door, which will cost extra up front, but save you time, money, and frustration in the long run.
Consider the energy efficiency of your French door materials, especially if you live in an extreme climate. Less expensive materials could cost you more in heating and cooling over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
French doors usually add value to your home because they’re aesthetically appealing and let massive amounts of natural light into your living space. Most buyers love to see high-end French doors in a home. Their low cost but high resale value mean you could reap the benefits of a higher price tag on your home with minimal effort or spending. Not only do French doors increase your home’s value from a financial standpoint, but they will also add to your own enjoyment of your home.
An interior French door should last you anywhere between 30 and 50 years, while an exterior French door unit will last around 15 to 30 years on average. Exactly how long your French doors last depends on the quality of the materials you choose, with vinyl doors lasting far less time than fiberglass, metal, and clad-wood doors. Upgrading to shatterproof glass can also improve the lifespan of exterior French doors.
Depending on the type of French doors you choose, they may be more expensive than sliding doors. Generally speaking, a single in-swing or out-swing French door will cost less than a sliding door, as it contains fewer materials and is easier to install. However, sliding doors usually have a slightly lower price tag, especially when compared to the standard double in-swing or double out-swing French doors.