Double Doors and French Doors Repair

DOUBLE DOORS AND FRENCH DOORS REPAIR - 101

In the years I have been plying my trade in the home repair business, one thing I have noticed is that trends in home design and decoration come and go. What is hot today will, in time, be on the way out in a few decades. One trend, however, that seems to defy this rule is double doors and French doors.

Their popularity just seems to increase over time with no sign of slowing down. But age brings its own problems, as increasing numbers of homeowners discover their doors in need of repair or upgrade. Two doors joined together mean twice the number of problems, which in turn gives rise to the door repair specialist with the knack for getting these particular doors back up and running.

The popularity of double doors and French doors has also given a boost to home improvement retailers. Retailers stock specialty doors and, in turn, showcase the broad selection of double doors and French doors, and there are a lot of them.

Another business genre that has felt the impact of this growing architectural trend is architectural salvage yards. These are home improvement suppliers who breathe new life into aged double doors and French doors as homeowners upgrade to newer models.

Custom Door Manufacturers for Double Doors and French Doors

Custom door manufacturers have also stepped up their game to meet the growing demand for custom double doors and French doors. Just as with so many other home improvement and architectural products that have caught wind in decorative terms, there is a growing demand for custom-specified features. For instance, older homes that were built prior to the popularity of these types of doors often need to be built to unique specifications to fit into them.

Then there is the trend in argon gas-filled double doors that can be retrofitted into older doors. Custom door manufacturers also accommodate requests for unique trim and window and door size, just to name a few. What's important to keep in mind, though, is that the more extravagant the doors and features, the more you can expect to pay, and as doors go, double doors and French doors tend to carry higher price points in comparison to standard single doors.

Problems and Solutions for Water Incursion

Double doors and French doors also present larger challenges with regards to water incursion. They are not only bigger than standard doors, but the center where they meet can tend to be a weak point during inclement weather. They do well without an exterior eve or patio cover. Standard exterior doors are challenging enough, but it’s not hard to understand that double doors and French doors can be double the problems, particularly in situations where there is wind-driven rain on an exposed side of a home.

So, in general, standard weather stripping just isn’t enough. Instead, thicker, more pronounced weather stripping is available for these types of doors. Double doors and French doors also present unique challenges when it comes to water damage and dry rot. They are bigger and more elaborate in terms of their design and almost without exception mounted into exterior walls.

Home Security Challenges and Options

As far as home security is concerned, these types of doors present their own set of challenges. They are bigger and full of windows. Also, the center point where the two doors meet has its own unique challenges, unlike a single door that is more secure by design. The solutions come in the form of steel double doors and French doors.

These doors offer the same level of security as would be expected on any other steel door. But if that isn’t enough, there are exterior steel cage systems that look and function like a standard conventional steel security door over a single entry door.

The only difference in these security doors is that they are twice the size. The only real difference in these more expansive security doors is that you can expect to pay more, and they are also more labor-intensive to install.

DIY Repair Guides and Tutorials for Double Doors and French Doors

As doors go, double doors and French doors can be the most challenging to work on and repair. But if someone is up to it, anything is possible as long as they keep one thing in mind. That one thing is that installing these types of doors takes two people and a few specialized tools to do certain repairs.

The tools, such as a couple of flat bars and a sawzall to cut set screws, can be picked up at a local hardware store. There are also some helpful DIY repair guides and topic-related tutorials available online. Before you head out to tool up, though, there is something that needs to be taken into account. That is that some problems are bigger than others.

Some even call for the entire door to be removed and reset. This is something that really does require that a person have at least some previous experience dealing with standard doors. Learning as you go while removing a double door will most likely end up with even worse problems to deal with. Minor alignment issues, on the other hand, are something that can be dealt with with minimal risk of serious consequences.

Warranties and Insurance for Double Doors and French Doors

Any type of insurance is something that needs to be approached with both eyes open, and these types of doors are no exception. So in simple terms, yes, there are homeowners' policies that will cover door damage, and yes, there are double doors and French doors that can be had that come with their own insurance. Even so, you need to keep two things in mind.

Those are that the better the doors and the more costly they are, the more likely they come with insurance on parts and labor. Pella Doors are a fine example of this. Manufacturers like this even insure products for up to twenty years. But only parts and labor, so if you break a window or are the source of a damage problem, they will most likely reject your claim.

Then the second thing to consider is that a homeowner’s policy that has this type of coverage will also have a deductible. In a case like this, the deductible can be more costly than the actual repair bill. Both leading big box hardware stores also carry insurance policies for products they sell, but you have to pay extra for them.

COMMON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What are the most frequently encountered problems with double doors and French doors?

I like to tell callers over the phone that it’s not hard to imagine that two doors built to function in tandem can be twice the problems of a single door. One of the most common problems that crop up is the doors going out of alignment. The end result of this is doors that bump together and visible gaps along the edges where the doors meet the frame. French doors, in particular, because they have so much heavy glass in them, tend to develop problems of this sort more often than double doors.

If the core issue is that the doors weren’t installed correctly, the fix may be to simply remove the trim along the sides and install more shims and screws. However, if the root problem is that the home and floor and wall are settling, that may be where you need to start. Water pooling along exterior walls is a major source of foundation settling, and before the doors are even touched, that problem will need to be addressed first.

Another common and easily solved problem is that the spline that goes into the sill to secure the doors is missing its hole. In a case like this, all that may be needed is to use a drill to make the hole bigger.

What about DIY vs. bringing in a professional to do the repair?

I like to point out to callers on the other end of the line that not all problems with double doors and French doors are the same. Some require a higher level of skill and experience than others. Even so, there are a few tricks of the trade that you can use for fast results on some common problems. For example, if there is a problem with the two doors meeting correctly in the center, try using a pry bar to gently pry them apart.

Sometimes it’s the door frame that has worked its way over to cause the problem, and all it needs is to be shoved back. Then, check the screws in the hinges to make sure that none of them have come loose. You also need to check to see if any of the screw holes are empty and need a screw in them. Be gentle, though, to make sure that you don’t strip any screws out. If there are any stripped-out screws, use toothpicks dipped in glue to fill the holes after removing the screws.

Then, after they have dried, gently screw in new hinge screws. Beyond that, if a problem is that a door or doors are out of adjustment, it may require that the trim be removed and the door or doors reset, and that is better left to a pro.

GLASS PANEL REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT

How are glass panels in French doors repaired?

With so many glass panels in a French door, it should come as no surprise that one or more of them eventually gets broken. So the first thing I tell callers who ring me up at my office is that the first priority should be to avoid getting cut by broken glass. It's just so easy to do, and glass shards are capable of doing serious damage. Beyond that, the next thing to do is remove the broken pane, and it's a relatively simple task.

But here again, there is something to consider: making sure not to damage the trim that is holding the glass pane in place. The reason for the extra care is that matching trim may not be readily available. Particularly in an older French door, obtaining trim that matches the trim around the rest of the windows can turn out to be the biggest problem in the repair if it is damaged beyond use.

So first, use a razor knife to cut the painted edge so it will pop right out once the four sections of trim are pried free. I tell them to use a thin flat pry bar that they can pick up at the local big box hardware outlet. Pry gently and don't force anything. Then, after the four short pieces of trim holding the pane in are removed, simply remove the broken pieces of glass and scrape the exposed area clean.

Lastly, use a measuring tape to determine the dimensions for the new pane. I like to put the broken pieces in a box and take them with me when I contact a local glazier to use them to measure off for a perfect fit. Then, after the new glass pane is brought home, installing it is a simple matter of placing it where the broken pane was removed. Install it in place using the same nails or similar small thin nails.

What options are available for upgrading insulation, security, and aesthetics?

When it comes to insulation and French doors, they are definitely more of a challenge than standard doors. For starters, they have more glass, and single-pane glass windows are not energy efficient. So check the gaps along the edges of the pair of doors for leaks, the center point where the doors meet, and also look along the bottom edge to see how big the gap is where the floor and the bottom edge meet.

Basic peel-and-stick weather stripping that comes in rolls will work just fine, but make sure to clean the surface well where it’s going to be stuck down so there are no adhesion problems. Then, as far as security is concerned, it costs nothing to make sure both bottom sliding splines are functioning well. If you are having trouble sliding one or both into their holes in the door threshold, use a drill to widen them.

Then, if you have more money to spend, it’s worth looking into new pick-resistant door locks because some are quite impressive. The Bowley Lock out of Canada is by far one of the best. It incorporates a new technology, making it perhaps the most difficult to bypass door lock available today. Then, when it comes to aesthetics, French doors are already great-looking, but even they can be improved upon.

The biggest mistake I have seen my clients make over the years I have been repairing doors is that they install cumbersome door coverings. Curtains and coverings that make using the doors difficult in one way or another. Then, if you have a pet, whatever you do, check to make sure that anything you do to improve aesthetics is pet-proof. Dogs, in particular, can ruin the best efforts, so take that into consideration.

MAINTAINING DOOR ALIGNMENT

What steps can be taken to ensure proper alignment and smooth function of French doors and double doors?

Of all the types of doors that can be installed in a home, any type of double door, including French doors, tends to be the most troublesome. They are difficult to install and the least forgiving over time, particularly if they are heavily used. So, as crazy as it sounds, I advise my clients to avoid pooling water around the exterior of their home. Pooling water leads to settling foundations, which causes walls to lean, leading to door misalignment.

A settling foundation on clay soil, in particular, is very difficult or impossible to repair. Inside your home, check to see if all the hinges on your doors have screws in all their holes. Sometimes workers shortcut and neglect to install all the screws in hinges. While you are at it, check to see if any screws are stripped out. It's just so easy to do.

If you find any, remove the offending screws and fill the holes with small wood slivers dipped in glue, then reinstall them. Make sure that you don't strip the newly installed screws. Tighten them gently without overdoing it. Then, if doors and windows are squealing when opening and closing, don't spray them with oil or WD-40. Both of these will harm the paint and hold dust.

Instead, try using silicone spray. It works particularly well on vinyl doors and windows. Wipe off the excess with a clean paper towel after you spray them. Lastly, I advise my clients not to wait until there is a problem to act. Get ahead of door issues by inspecting all of them once a year, and even sooner on high-traffic doors.

How can issues like sticking, bumping, floor scraping, and gaps be addressed?

Any type of double doors, because there are two of them, bring with them double the risk of problems. They also are required to meet properly, which also brings the potential for problems. Then, because they are wider than standard doors, they swing a wider arc, and that can be problematic. Double doors and French doors are heavy too, so they put a lot of stress on hinges.

So, the first place to check is the hinges to see if any screws are missing or stripped out. If they are, that may be the source of the issues. If they are missing, simply install new screws, making sure not to strip them out when you twist them into the door frame. Stripped-out screws can be fixed using small slivers of wood dipped in glue.

If, after the hinges pass the inspection, the problem persists, then it may be time to remove the interior trim and do an adjustment. In severe cases, a complete re-install may be in order. But a settling wall or foundation may be the root source of these types of issues, so they won't just go away on their own.

In the case of a door rubbing on the floor when it swings open, the problem could be the door, or it may be that the floor is rising up as a result of foundation settling. A quick check of the floor is to set a small ball on it to see if it rolls on its own accord. If that test passes, then the door itself may be out of alignment due to poor installation or wall settling.

There are two ways to fix a dragging door: the first is to adjust the door frame with shims and screws. If that isn't the problem, or if the floor is rising up, then the bottom of the door or doors may need to be trimmed by cutting some off.

ENHANCING DOOR SECURITY

What are the most common security vulnerabilities in double doors and French doors?

One of the most common questions I get asked by clients recently revolves around double door and French door security issues. Sure, they look great and work well to boost a home’s value, but there are some security compromises when compared against, say, a solid oak or steel door. So then, what are a few solutions to deal with this issue? One of the best lines of defense is good quality door hardware. It's a fact that a door is only as secure as the hardware that is on it.

Another vulnerable area is the spline or shaft in the sill for each door. Make sure they are engaging correctly with a smooth sliding function. Problems arise when it's difficult to slide them into their holes in the sill plate. The solution here is if there are any problems sliding them up or down, use a drill to widen them.

Then one thing that continues to surprise me is how many people I talk to are unaware of the risk of their locks being picked. Just go online and see for yourself that tutorials on lock picking are just a mouse click away, and lock picking kits are readily available at both leading big box hardware stores. The solution here comes in the form of new technologies in pick-resistant door locks.

Digital door locks work great and are the least costly. But for top-notch pick resistance in a solid milled steel deadbolt, the Bowley Lock company in Canada is well worth checking out. Their locks aren’t cheap, but they offer a high level of true pick resistance that makes them an innovative leader in the industry.

Are there security products available for double doors?

I am continually surprised by how many people wait until they have a break-in before they take a serious look at door security, and that for sure includes double doors and French doors. I like to remind them that alarm systems work great, and there are a lot of them to choose from, but they all have one glaring vulnerability.

That is that in general, they only work after an intruder has broken through to make entry. So I like to point out to my clients that the cheapest and highly effective option is simple door wedges that are jammed under the bottom of the doors.

Good quality door hardware has never been cheap. But in recent times, prices have been on an exponential upward trajectory. So for true door security on any door, you will need to look beyond finding the best deal on low-cost hardware.

Heavy gauge hinges attached to the door and door frame using long heavy gauge screws are a good addition to enhance door security. Digital door locks are super easy to install. They fit on just like a standard doorknob using only a Phillips screwdriver and require no technical expertise.

But for folks who want the latest technology with the strength of milled stainless steel, there is the Bowley Lock out of Canada. Bowley locks incorporate a totally new concept in keyed locks with door keys that look like something from another planet.

Plus, they can't be duplicated unless the person requesting a duplicate key has a secure code to provide the company upon request. So they are great for rental properties because the locks don’t need to be replaced with each new tenant.

WEATHER PROOFING AND INSULATION

How can double doors and French doors be insulated and waterproofed to prevent drafts and water seepage?

Double doors and French doors present their own unique challenges when it comes to blocking drafts and preventing water seepage during storms. I like to point out to clients and callers that common peel-and-stick weather stripping works great for blocking drafts, but it needs to be applied correctly. Start by removing old, worn-out weather stripping, followed by scraping and cleaning the surface of the door frame edge.

Common glass cleaner works great for this. Make sure to buy the correct thickness of weather stripping that is not too thick and not too thin for the gaps along the edges of the doors. Lay it on and press firmly in place, then shut the doors and leave them alone for at least a few hours so the weather stripping gets pressed on well.

To prevent seepage under doors, the first area to check is under the doors to make sure the strip there is in good working order. If it needs replacement, the doors may need to be removed for optimal results. The most important thing to keep in mind is to ensure that any patio or deck has a slight slope away from the home.

If it doesn’t and it’s sloping towards the home, then even your best efforts may not produce results, particularly if the water is wind-driven. If there is a slope towards the home, the solution may come in the form of some type of awning or rain gutter to divert rainwater before it hits the ground.

DESIGN TRENDS

What are the latest and hottest design trends in French and double doors?

Just like in clothing and furniture, styles and design trends in French and double doors come and go with the passing years. What is hot today may not be so hot in just a decade, so it's important to know where they are at present. One newer innovation is sliding double patio doors that feature the option of swinging open just like standard doors. They also stack together at the far side of the framework for the entire door area to be fully opened.

There are also new designs and technologies in screen doors and security doors for double doors and French doors now. But perhaps the most amazing is argon gas-filled dual pane doors and windows. Argon gas allows light to shine through while blocking out a good portion of the sun's heat. This technology needs to be seen and felt to be fully appreciated.

Another area that has seen technological development is harder glass. New harder glass is simply more difficult to break, providing a higher level of security and safety. So now larger single-pane double doors are a more affordable and lighter option because a thick, heavy pane is not required to achieve a higher level of breakage resistance.

Finally, there are many new options in blinds and curtains to mention. But those that provide both privacy and insulation are well worth taking a good look at because some of them are surprisingly affordable.

What are the average costs for repairs for double doors and French doors?

One of the top questions on clients' lists when it comes to repairs is the cost. How much will they have to pay when the work is done? Replacing door knobs is surprisingly cheap, and I like to point out to them that if they have a Phillips screwdriver, they can do the job themselves. It’s the same thing with peel-and-stick weather stripping—it’s easy to do. But things like broken windows and dry rot are decidedly more costly. So, an average is difficult to pinpoint because it varies depending on the area of the country you live in.

Most reputable door repair professionals will have an hourly rate that they can quote over the phone. Also, being able to send them good quality clear pictures will help. It’s important to ensure that they actually do repairs and aren’t a company that claims to do repairs but primarily focuses on selling callers a brand-new door. To come up with an average cost of repairs for double doors and French doors, the best thing to do is call around and ask the pertinent questions. If they can't or won’t provide a ballpark estimate or straight answers to simple questions, keep calling.

Another thing worth knowing is that you will get the best deals on all types of home repairs during the holiday season when business is down because everyone is out holiday shopping. Also, make sure to ask if they give a cash discount.