Types Of Exterior French Doors

Hinged Exterior French Doors

Hinged French doors are two double doors that are hinged to either open into a room or out of a room. For example, using hinged French doors on a patio, the out swing doors will open onto the patio. Hinged French doors can be made of both ornate wood or decorative metal, with either clear glass or decorative glass as well. Hinged French doors are also available without glass, such as metal or vinyl and these are relatively maintenance free.

Pocket Exterior French Doors

Pocket French doors are used when there is little space for a door to swing open. Pocket French doors slide into the walls on either side of the door. On a patio door, these would slide off to the side saving space on a small patio or when there is not enough room for them to open in to the open as well. However, with exterior pocket French doors, you need to make sure that there is enough room for the pockets and special the construction that these doors will need on either wall to ensure that they are sealed properly from the elements and other creatures.

Bi-Fold and Multi-Fold Exterior French Doors

Bi-fold and multi-fold French doors are accordion style doors. With a bi-fold door, each door is made of two panels that will fold twice onto itself. While a multi-fold door may have smaller panels and fold three or four times onto themselves. With both styles the door panels are hinged together and are on a sliding track, so you can fold them and slide them to the side. Again, these work well for small spaces, so that the doors do not take up as much room. With bi-fold and multi-fold exterior French doors these doors also require special construction to ensure they are sealed from the elements and other creatures getting into the home.

Reference

Home Tips: French Doors: Types
Home Improvement-Love To Know: French Doors
Lowes: Choose An Exterior Door

Resource
Articles-Directory M: French Doors For Home Improvement
Ask The Builder: French Doors