How Much Does It Cost to Install French Doors?
$1,500 to $6,000 is the typical cost to install French doors, with most homeowners paying around $3,500 for a standard 6-foot exterior pair with professional installation. That price covers the door unit, hardware, weatherstripping, trim, and labor. On the low end, interior French doors in an existing doorway run about $500 to $1,200. At the high end, custom wood exterior French doors with impact-rated glass and a new wall opening can push past $8,000.
French doors add natural light and visual connection between rooms or between your living space and the outdoors. They work well as patio doors, room dividers, closet doors, and entryways to home offices. Unlike sliding glass doors ($1,500 to $5,000), French doors swing open on hinges, which gives you a wider unobstructed opening but requires floor clearance for the swing.
French Door Cost by Location
$500 to $5,000 depending on whether you are installing interior or exterior doors. The placement is the single biggest factor in total cost because exterior doors need weatherproofing, thicker frames, and tougher hardware.
| Door Location | Installed Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Interior French doors | $500 - $2,000 | Room dividers, closets, home offices |
| Exterior French doors | $1,500 - $5,000 | Patio, deck, garden access |
| Sliding French doors | $2,000 - $5,000 | Panels slide on track, no swing clearance |
Interior French doors are the most affordable option. They typically use hollow-core or lite-weight solid-core panels and do not need weatherstripping or insulated glass. They fit standard doorway rough openings, so framing work is rarely needed. Exterior French doors are built heavier with multi-point locking systems, insulated glass, and weather-tight seals. They must meet local energy codes and building standards, which adds to the base price. Sliding French doors combine the look of French door panels with sliding door mechanics, saving floor space while keeping the traditional divided-lite style.
French Door Cost by Material
$800 to $5,000 for the door unit depending on frame material. Each material carries different trade-offs in price, maintenance, and lifespan.
| Material | Door Cost (Unit) | Installed Total | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood | $1,200 - $3,500 | $2,000 - $5,000 | 30 - 50 years |
| Fiberglass | $1,000 - $2,800 | $1,500 - $4,000 | 25 - 40 years |
| Steel | $600 - $2,000 | $1,000 - $3,000 | 20 - 30 years |
| Vinyl | $400 - $1,500 | $800 - $2,500 | 20 - 30 years |
Wood is the classic choice for French doors and delivers the richest look. Mahogany, oak, and fir are popular species. Wood insulates well and can be stained or painted to match any decor, but it requires refinishing every 3 to 5 years to prevent moisture damage. Fiberglass is the top pick for exterior French doors. It resists warping, cracking, and rot even in harsh weather, holds paint longer than wood, and expands at nearly the same rate as the glass panes. Steel provides the best security and is dent-resistant, though it can rust if the finish gets scratched in humid climates. Vinyl costs the least and needs zero maintenance, but the frames are thicker and the color options are limited compared to other materials.
French Door Cost by Width
$1,200 to $6,000+ depending on the width of the opening. Wider doors need larger headers and heavier hardware, which drives up both material and labor costs.
| Door Width | Configuration | Installed Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 4 ft (single door) | One panel, hinged | $800 - $2,500 |
| 5 ft | Two narrow panels | $1,200 - $3,500 |
| 6 ft (standard pair) | Two 3-ft panels | $1,500 - $4,500 |
| 8 ft (wide pair) | Two 4-ft panels or panels with sidelites | $2,500 - $6,000+ |
A 6-foot opening is the most common size for French doors and fits the widest selection of off-the-shelf units. Going wider than 6 feet usually means special-order doors or adding fixed sidelite panels flanking the operable pair. Wider openings may also require a larger structural header, especially on exterior walls, which adds $200 to $800 in framing costs. If you only need a single door to replace a standard interior doorway, a 4-foot French door panel is the most affordable option and fits most existing rough openings without modification.
Glass Options and Their Costs
$0 to $500+ added to the base price depending on the glass upgrade. French doors are mostly glass, so the pane type has a direct impact on energy efficiency, privacy, and safety.
| Glass Type | Added Cost | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Clear single pane | Included (interior only) | Lowest cost, interior use |
| Insulated double pane | +$50 - $150 | Standard for exterior, meets code |
| Low-E coated | +$100 - $250 | Blocks UV, reduces heat transfer 30-50% |
| Impact-rated (laminated) | +$250 - $500 | Hurricane zones, break-in resistance |
Clear single pane works fine for interior French doors where insulation is not a concern. For exterior doors, insulated double pane is the baseline and meets building code in all 50 states. Upgrading to low-E glass is worth the extra $100 to $250 because the coating reflects radiant heat and blocks 95% of UV rays, protecting your floors and furniture from fading. In coastal hurricane zones, impact-rated laminated glass is required by code and also provides strong break-in resistance. If you are also planning a window replacement ($3,000 to $10,000 for a whole house), matching the glass type across doors and windows gives you consistent energy performance and a cleaner look.
Installation Cost Breakdown
$300 to $2,000 for labor depending on whether the doors go into an existing opening or you need a new one cut into the wall.
| Installation Task | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Install in existing opening | $300 - $600 |
| Cut new opening in wall | $500 - $2,000 |
| Framing and header work | $200 - $800 |
| Exterior trim and flashing | $100 - $250 |
| Interior trim and casing | $75 - $200 |
| Remove old door and dispose | $75 - $200 |
A same-size replacement where the new French doors fit the existing rough opening is the simplest and cheapest install. A skilled contractor can finish it in half a day. Cutting a new opening is a bigger job that involves removing drywall and exterior sheathing, installing a structural header to carry the load above, and rerouting any electrical wiring or plumbing in the wall. On a load-bearing wall, the header alone can cost $400 to $800 in materials and labor. Always get a structural assessment before cutting into an exterior or load-bearing wall.
Factors That Affect French Door Cost
$500 to $8,000+ is the full range, and several factors determine where your project lands.
Interior vs. Exterior
Interior doors skip the weatherstripping, insulated glass, and multi-point locks that exterior doors require. That alone saves $500 to $2,000 on the project. Interior French doors also use lighter-weight panels, which cost less to manufacture and ship.
New Opening vs. Existing
Using an existing doorway or opening keeps costs down. Cutting a new opening adds $500 to $2,000 for demolition, framing, header installation, drywall patching, and exterior finishing. If the wall is load-bearing, engineering and permitting fees can add another $200 to $500.
Hardware Quality
Basic lever handles and a single-point lock come standard. Upgrading to a multi-point locking system adds $100 to $300 but dramatically improves security on exterior doors. Decorative hardware in oil-rubbed bronze or brushed nickel runs $75 to $250 per set. Cremone bolts, which are the tall decorative surface-mounted locks common on French doors, cost $150 to $400 per door.
Energy Efficiency
ENERGY STAR certified exterior French doors with low-E glass and insulated frames cost 10% to 20% more than non-certified models. However, they may qualify for the federal energy efficiency tax credit of up to $250 per exterior door through 2032 under the Inflation Reduction Act. In cold climates, look for a U-factor of 0.30 or lower.
Geographic Location
Labor rates vary 20% to 40% by region. Major metro areas and coastal markets cost the most, while the South and Midwest tend to run lower. Hurricane-prone areas add $250 to $500 for mandatory impact glass requirements.
How to Save Money on French Door Installation
$300 to $1,500 in savings is realistic with the right approach.
- Use an existing opening. Replacing a sliding glass door or existing patio door with French doors avoids the $500 to $2,000 cost of cutting and framing a new opening.
- Choose a standard 6-foot width. Off-the-shelf doors cost 25% to 40% less than custom sizes. Stock sizes also ship faster.
- Pick fiberglass over wood. Fiberglass costs $500 to $1,000 less than wood, lasts nearly as long, and skips the ongoing maintenance costs.
- Buy the doors yourself. Purchasing from a home center and hiring a contractor for labor-only can save 15% to 20% on the total project.
- Get 3 or more quotes. Pricing varies significantly between contractors. Local door specialists often beat big-box installation services.
- Claim the tax credit. ENERGY STAR certified exterior doors qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $250 per door through 2032.
Upgrading your door hardware? Browse French door handles, locks, and hardware sets.
Shop on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to install French doors?
Installing French doors costs $1,500 to $6,000 on average, with most homeowners paying around $3,500 total. Interior French doors run $500 to $2,000 installed, while exterior French doors cost $1,500 to $5,000 depending on material, width, and glass type. Cutting a new opening in the wall adds $500 to $2,000 to the total.
Are French doors more expensive than sliding glass doors?
Yes, French doors typically cost 15% to 30% more than sliding glass doors for the same opening size. A 6-foot sliding glass door runs $1,500 to $3,500 installed, while French doors for the same opening cost $2,000 to $5,000. French doors require heavier hardware, more precise framing, and thicker frame profiles, all of which add to the price.
What is the best material for French doors?
Fiberglass is the best overall material for exterior French doors. It costs $1,500 to $4,000, resists warping and rot, holds paint well, and insulates better than steel or vinyl. Wood French doors ($2,000 to $5,000) look the best but need repainting or staining every 3 to 5 years. For budget projects, steel at $1,000 to $3,000 offers solid security and durability.
How long does it take to install French doors?
A professional installer can hang French doors in an existing opening in 4 to 6 hours. If you need a new opening cut into the wall, the job takes 1 to 2 full days and involves framing, drywall work, and possibly electrical rerouting. Interior French doors in standard doorway openings are the fastest at 2 to 3 hours.
Do French doors increase home value?
French doors can increase home value by 1% to 3% when replacing a solid wall or outdated door. Exterior French doors leading to a patio or deck have the best return because they improve natural light and create an indoor-outdoor connection that buyers want. Interior French doors add perceived value by making rooms feel larger and more open, though the dollar return is harder to measure.
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