An Entry into French Antiques: The French Door

The French door is probably one of the most recognized French antiques, though many people don't know that these doors are actually centuries old in design. The French doors came to America early in the 18th century with Creole settlers who found homes in the Gulf Coast. The main purpose of these doors is to close one room off from another, without completely shutting the room off. This effect is accomplished by introducing many panels of glass or openings the length of the door. These openings are called "lights."

Early French Doors
Early French doors were made with wood or iron, but glass wasn't introduced into the doors for several years. The openings were mostly round carvings that allowed you to look from room to room. In the beginning, French doors were used only inside of the home, not for entryways or exits. This is why the glass panes were not necessary. While most of the doors were singles at this point, there were a few double French doors comparable to the modern design.

Progression
As French doors began to gain popularity they became more varied in design. The more modern double French door was introduced and glass panes were inserted. The insertion of these panes allowed the French doors to be used as entryways and exits. With the use of glass panes, French doors were more and more being constructed of wood. Carvings and etchings in the glass made the doors much more intricate than previous designs.

Modern French Doors
French doors are a fixture on many modern homes, most noticeably in the South and Midwest. Today doors are made of any number of materials, from wood to fiberglass. Doors range from simple designs with one plain pane of glass to much more elaborate designs with etched and carved glass. Today, these doors are used almost exclusively as entryways and exits, a large difference from the days when they were used only inside a home.

Finding Original Antique French Doors
While shopping for antique French doors is not the most popular form of antique shopping, you can find a surprising number of original antique doors. Most of these doors are sold by salvage companies and can be bought for a very reasonable price. This isn't to say, however, that the doors are in great condition. Most of the time they will need extensive repairs if they are going to be functional. Finding an expert carpenter who can recreate a certain set of doors in reproduction antique furniture is probably going to be your best bet if you want a functional door with an antique design.