French Doors: A Practical Guide for Perth Homes

French doors have been used in Australian homes for decades, and there’s a good reason they’re still so popular today. In Perth homes, especially, they offer a simple way to bring in more light, improve airflow, and create a stronger connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.

As hinged glass doors, French doors open wide, inviting natural light into the room and helping spaces feel brighter and more open. This works just as well in older homes as it does in modern builds, which is why French doors suit such a wide range of styles. They add a sense of balance and symmetry that feels familiar without looking dated.

French doors also support the way many households live day to day. They’re easy to use, allow good ventilation, and create a natural transition to gardens, courtyards, or alfresco areas. When made with aluminium frames, they offer the same timeless look with the added benefit of durability and low maintenance.

For homeowners seeking a door that feels both practical and classic, French doors in Perth remain a reliable and well-loved choice.

What Are French Doors? (And How They Work)

At their simplest, French doors are hinged glass doors that open on a swing rather than sliding along a track. They can be installed as a single door or as double French doors, where two door leaves meet in the middle and open outwards or inwards.

Because they use a hinged operation, French doors open wide, creating a clear opening through the doorway. This makes them easy to navigate and ideal for areas where regular access is needed, such as living rooms, dining areas, or garden entry points.

French doors differ from stacking and sliding doors in how they function. Instead of panels moving along a track, the doors swing open like a traditional door. This gives a more familiar feel and a symmetrical look, which many homeowners prefer for both internal and external openings.

For those deciding between door styles, French doors offer a straightforward, practical option. They combine the openness of glass with the simplicity of a hinged design, making them a popular alternative to sliding systems in many homes.

Where French Doors Work Best in the Home

French doors suit a wide range of spaces because they allow light through while still working like a traditional hinged door. Their simple operation and classic look make them easy to use in everyday areas around the home.

Common places where French doors in Perth work particularly well include:

• Living rooms to alfresco areas: opening wide to connect indoor spaces with outdoor entertaining areas
• Dining rooms: bringing in light and allowing the space to open up when hosting
• Home offices: creating separation while keeping the room feeling open and bright
• Bedrooms: a popular option in contemporary bedrooms where access to a balcony or garden is needed
• Laundry rooms: providing ventilation and direct outdoor access without relying on sliding systems
• Garden or courtyard access: offering a welcoming outlook and straightforward everyday use

Because hinged doors swing open rather than slide, they suit spaces where clear access and regular movement matter. The key is making sure there’s enough room for the doors to open comfortably.

If you’re deciding where French doors or other door styles will work best, our guide on how to choose the right door for a room breaks this down in more detail and can help you plan door placement throughout the home.

Single vs Double French Doors

When choosing French doors, one of the main decisions is whether a single door or a double-door setup will work best in your space. Both options offer the same hinged operation and glass-panelled look, but they suit different layouts and ways of using the room.

• A single French door is often the right choice for smaller openings or spaces where access is needed without taking up too much room. They work well in areas like laundries, home offices, or bedrooms, where you want light and ventilation but don’t need a wide opening. A single door keeps things simple and practical while still delivering the classic French door style.
• Double French doors make more sense when you want a wider opening or a stronger visual impact. They’re commonly used between living areas and outdoor spaces, or in rooms where you want to fully open up the space when entertaining. With two doors opening from the centre, they create a balanced, symmetrical look and make moving between spaces easier.

The right choice comes down to how you use the space and how much access you need. Both single and double French doors offer the same benefits of light and airflow — it’s simply a matter of scale, layout, and everyday use.

French Doors with Side Lites: When Extra Light Matters

In some homes, a standard door opening doesn’t quite let in as much light as you’d like. That’s where French doors with side lites can make a real difference. By adding fixed glass panels beside the door, you can increase the amount of natural light entering the space without changing how the doors themselves operate.

Side lites are particularly useful where the opening is wider than a single or double door alone. Instead of filling that extra space with a wall, a glass side panel helps brighten the room and create a more open feel. This works well in living areas, dining rooms, and entries where light and visual balance are important.

Another benefit is how side lites affect the overall look of the door. They help frame the French doors and give the opening a more considered, symmetrical appearance. Rather than the doors feeling lost in a wide wall, the glass panels help the whole opening feel intentional and well-proportioned.

For homeowners who want more light but don’t need a wider opening for access, side lites offer a practical solution. They enhance brightness and openness while keeping the simplicity and everyday usability that make French doors such a popular choice.

Are French Doors Secure?

Security is a common concern when customers consider French doors, particularly given the glass panels and hinged design. Modern secure French doors are built very differently from older styles and are designed to provide reassurance without compromising on light or appearance.

Our aluminium French doors feature strong frames that add rigidity and support to the entire door system. Aluminium helps the doors feel solid when closed and withstands regular use over time.

Locking systems are another key part of door security. Many hinged glass doors can be fitted with multi-point locking, which secures the door at multiple points along the frame. This helps the doors close firmly and improves resistance to forced entry, offering greater peace of mind for everyday living.

The glass itself also plays an important role. Modern French doors use safety glass that is far more durable than standard glass, reducing the risk of breakage while still allowing plenty of natural light into the space.

For homeowners wanting an extra layer of protection, French doors can also be paired with security screens. Just contact us to place a Special Order. This adds extra security while still allowing ventilation and visibility, making it a popular option for frequently used doors.

When properly chosen and installed, French doors can provide a comfortable balance between openness, style, and security, making them a practical option for many homes.

Why Aluminium French Doors Make Sense in Perth

When choosing French doors, the material plays a big role in how well they perform over time. That’s why aluminium French doors are such a practical option for homes across Perth and Western Australia.

Aluminium suits local conditions for a few key reasons:

• Handles sun exposure: aluminium doesn’t warp, swell, or crack with heat, making it reliable in areas with strong sun
• Resists coastal conditions: it offers good corrosion resistance, which is important for homes closer to the coast
• Durable for everyday use: aluminium holds its shape well, helping hinged doors continue to open and close smoothly
• Low maintenance: no regular repainting or sealing is needed, just simple cleaning to keep doors looking good

Compared to other door materials, aluminium provides consistent performance without ongoing upkeep. For homeowners seeking durable glass hinged doors that suit Perth’s climate and lifestyle, aluminium offers a sensible balance of strength, appearance, and long-term reliability.

They’re a practical choice that works just as well in modern homes as in more traditional spaces — without adding extra maintenance down the track.

Light, Ventilation, and Everyday Comfort

One of the main reasons customers choose French doors is how they enhance a room’s feel. With large glass panels, they let more daylight into the space, helping rooms feel brighter and more open throughout the day.

French doors also support good airflow. When opened, they allow fresh air to move freely through the room, which can make a noticeable difference to comfort, particularly in warmer weather. This natural ventilation helps create a more relaxed living environment without relying solely on mechanical cooling.

Even when closed, glass doors maintain a strong visual connection between spaces. The presence of glass keeps rooms from feeling closed in, while still providing separation where needed. This is especially useful in areas like living rooms, dining spaces, or bedrooms that benefit from both light and privacy.

Modern glazing options are designed to balance light and comfort, helping manage heat and glare without turning the space into a greenhouse. The result is a room that feels more comfortable to use every day, with better light, airflow, and an overall sense of openness.

Our Range of French Doors by Jason Windows

When it comes to choosing French doors in Perth, quality and reliability are just as important as style. That’s why we offer a carefully selected range of aluminium French doors by Jason Windows, a trusted Australian manufacturer with a long history of producing doors suited to local conditions.

At Ross’s, our role is to help you find the right door for your home, not to overwhelm you with options. Our French door range focuses on practical designs that work well in everyday living, whether the doors are used occasionally or opened and closed throughout the day.

Within our range, we offer:

• French Doors for standard openings where light and easy access are the priority
• Double French Doors for wider openings and spaces that benefit from a more open feel
• French Doors with Side Lite for homes where extra light or visual balance is important

All options are designed to deliver the classic look French doors are known for, paired with the durability and low maintenance benefits of aluminium. By working with Jason Windows, we’re able to offer doors that are Australian-made, engineered for local conditions, and built to perform well over the long term.

The focus is on giving you confidence that the French doors you choose will suit your space, function as expected, and continue to look good and work well for years to come.

Choosing the Right French Doors for Your Home

Choosing the right French doors in Perth doesn’t need to be complicated. Focusing on how the doors will be used day to day makes it much easier to narrow down the options and choose a solution that works long-term.

When deciding on aluminium French doors, it helps to run through a few practical considerations:

• Opening size: The width of the opening will influence whether a single door, double doors, or doors with side lites are the best fit.
• Internal vs external use: Consider where the doors will be installed. External doors may need to handle weather exposure, while internal doors are often chosen for light and separation.
• Swing clearance: Hinged doors need enough space to open comfortably. Think about furniture placement and walkways so the doors don’t feel intrusive when open.
• Maintenance expectations: Aluminium French doors are popular because they’re low maintenance and hold up well over time, which is worth factoring into your decision.

The right choice is one that suits your layout, budget, and how you plan to use the space every day. Taking a practical approach upfront helps ensure the doors you choose remain easy to live with and continue to perform well over the long term.

For additional advice, we welcome you to head into our store and speak with one of our team members. View our range of Aluminium Doors in person and talk through which French door size and configuration will work best for your space.

Final Thoughts: Are French Doors Right for Your Space?

French doors remain a popular choice with customers because they strike a balance between light, access, and everyday practicality. For many, French doors offer a simple way to brighten rooms, improve airflow, and create a stronger connection between spaces without relying on sliding systems.

Aluminium French doors add durability and low maintenance to that classic hinged design. They’re perfect for local conditions and continue to perform well over time, making them a practical choice for both internal and external use.

If French doors feel like the right fit, you can explore our full range of French Doors in Perth to see the available options.

Taking a practical approach to door selection helps ensure the choice you make continues to work well years down the track. It’s not about choosing the most impressive option, but the one that suits how you live.