French Doors: The Romance Your Florida Home Deserves
Joe Underwood • June 23, 2025
Open up your space, your view, and your vibe—with doors that say “welcome” like only the French can.
Let’s be honest—French doors are kind of the Casanovas of home improvement.
They’re classic. Charming. Effortlessly elegant. And they don’t just let light in—they make a statement.
At Windoor Retro Professionals, we’ve installed thousands of doors throughout Florida—but there’s just something special about a well-placed set of French doors. Whether it opens to a breezy lanai, a sun-drenched dining room, or the world's smallest backyard that feels like Versailles after the upgrade—French doors deliver timeless impact.
But what makes a great French door for a Florida home? And more importantly, how do you install them without sacrificing storm protection, energy efficiency, or security?
Let’s dive in.
💡 What Exactly Are French Doors?
French doors are typically a pair of doors that swing open
from the center, featuring large glass panes
that run the full height of the door. They’re designed to maximize light and provide a visual connection between indoors and outdoors.
They’re the “I don’t need a vacation—I just need my patio to feel like Tuscany” of the door world.
But in Florida, we need a little more than charm. We need impact ratings, DP ratings, and code compliance.
🔥 Why Florida Homeowners Love French Doors
✅ They Maximize Natural Light
More glass = brighter space. No need to keep your lights on at noon.
✅ They Boost Resale Value
Ask any realtor—French doors make buyers feel something. That’s powerful.
✅ They Expand Living Spaces
Open both doors, and boom: your lanai becomes part of your living room.
✅ They’re More Secure Than You Think
With multi-point locks, reinforced frames, and impact glass, modern French doors are as strong as they are beautiful.
✅ They Can Be Code-Compliant and Hurricane-Rated
Yes, you can
have stunning French doors that also meet Florida Building Code, HVHZ standards, and insurance requirements.
🏆 Our Favorite French Door Brands
Not all French doors are created equal—especially in Florida, where the climate tests everything. That’s why at Windoor Retro Professionals, we source from manufacturers
known for quality, durability, and code compliance, so you get a door that looks great and
performs under pressure.
Here are some of the top French door brands
we recommend and install:
🚪 Therma-Tru
A leader in fiberglass and steel door systems, Therma-Tru combines elegance with impact-rated performance. Their Pulse® and Classic-Craft® series
offer a wide range of customizable French door designs that are both stylish and storm-ready.
Best for:
Energy efficiency, hurricane zones, upscale design.
🚪 Plastpro
Plastpro makes high-performance fiberglass doors
with HydroShield Technology™—perfect for Florida’s humidity and salt air. Their French door units are impact-rated, low-maintenance, and moisture-resistant from the inside out.
Best for:
Coastal homes, high-humidity areas, long-term durability.
🚪 Masonite
Masonite offers versatile French door options, from classic to contemporary, in both fiberglass and steel. Many of their doors come with energy-efficient cores and are Florida Building Code approved
for impact resistance and security.
Best for:
Style variety, ENERGY STAR options, value.
🚪 JELD-WEN
Known for craftsmanship and innovation, JELD-WEN produces fiberglass, steel, and wood French doors
that can be tailored for both new construction and replacement projects. Many models are impact-rated and Low-E glass-ready.
Best for:
Custom aesthetics, wood-look finishes, new builds.
🚪 Steves & Sons
A reliable and budget-conscious choice, Steves & Sons offers durable steel and fiberglass French doors designed to meet regional code requirements, including Florida’s HVHZ standards. Their doors are a favorite among builders and remodelers alike.
Best for:
Affordable upgrades, manufactured homes, code compliance.
These brands offer a wide selection of panel styles, glass options, frame materials, and finishes—and our job is to help you choose the one that fits your home, budget, and local code zone.
Let us handle the technical specs, permits, and installation while you pick the door that makes you smile every time it opens.
🛠️ French Doors Require Professional Installation—Here’s Why:
Installing French doors is like surgery for your wall. Done well, it’s transformative. Done poorly? It leaks, sticks, and throws off your whole aesthetic.
At Windoor Retro Professionals, we make sure every French door installation includes:
- Proper buck frame inspection or replacement
- Waterproof flashing & sealants
- Full permitting & inspection coordination
- Interior and exterior trim finishing
- Code compliance from start to final walkthrough
Whether it's a retrofit or new construction, we guarantee your doors open like butter and close like a vault.
✨ Creative Ways to Use French Doors
- Kitchen to Patio Transition – Morning coffee hits different when you swing open a pair of sunlit doors.
- Master Bedroom to Pool Deck – Let in the light and step straight into paradise.
- Home Office to Garden View – Inspiration starts with a better view.
- Dining Room to Lanai – Hosting becomes an experience, not just a meal.
Even manufactured homes and mobile homes can benefit from a well-placed, properly framed French door. Yes—we do those, too.
Final Word from Joe
French doors aren’t just for fancy homes in magazines. With the right installer (👋), they’re durable, storm-rated, and built for Florida living.
So if your sliding door is giving you attitude or your entryway is craving class—consider going French. It might just be the best thing you ever do for your home.
Call Windoor Retro Professionals today
and let’s plan something beautiful.
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