French doors have gained a reputation for being somewhat energy inefficient over the years because they are made from such large panes of glass. Although advancements in glazing technology mean the reputation is largely an unfair one, it may still be true of some older doors. Here at Rock Solid Doors, 
we have put together some tips and tricks to help when considering your French door insulation options during the cold winter months.
Glazing technology has come a long way over recent years and modern doors and windows tend to already be well insulated. Inert-gas-filled double glazing and metal oxide coatings reflect the temperature back where it came from. Modern French doors also have engineered cores that are structurally superior to those from the past. They virtually eliminate any warping of the materials that might have allowed air to flow where we didn’t want it to in the past.
Modern French doors are highly energy efficient and will help maintain your constant temperature of choice and reduce energy bills at the same time. Anything we can do to reduce our individual carbon footprint is surely a step in the right direction.
Older doors and windows are among the worst culprits in allowing heat to escape and cold to enter your home over the winter months. Here are some suggestions we think you will find useful in your fight to stay warm.
If your exterior French doors are older and not quite as energy efficient as modern ones then you have a couple of options to consider:
This is not really a choice you can make until you have assessed the situation carefully and preferably sought professional advice. If the overall condition of your doors is still decent or finances don’t allow for new ones, then there are some steps you can take. A little expense and effort might give your French doors a new lease of life and prevent them from being an energy-sapping liability. The first is the most drastic in terms of expense but if the structure of your doors is solid, you might want to consider it:
If the seals on your double glazing have perished then the inert gas that helps prevent the transfer of heat will almost certainly have escaped. You will know this has happened because condensation will collect on the inside of the panes of glass and be impossible to wipe off. Although the air that replaced the gas is also an insulator of sorts, it is much less efficient and the effectiveness of the double glazing will be drastically compromised. Units with failed seals are, unfortunately, irretrievable in terms of fixing. However, the surrounding structure may be perfectly solid and able to house new glass effectively.
Talk to your trusted expert and ask their opinion on this matter. It may be that the structural integrity of the surrounding doors was a contributing factor to the failure of the units and if
you merely replace them, you will face the same problem again before long. At this point, you should replace the doors entirely.
At the edges of your doors, you will see lengths of weather stripping. These compress when closed and create an airtight seal that keeps out draughts. Constant compression/decompression over time and changes in moisture and temperature can cause these strips to perish and cease functioning correctly. Luckily, it is a simple task to replace them and once applied the replacement strips should perform just like new.
f you have draughts coming through your French doors then you are probably already well aware of them. Check to see if you have any new ones using your hand or even a naked flame that will flicker if air passes over it. Use whatever suitable materials you can to block the cold air, preferably:
Create makeshift draught excluders until you are able to deal with the wider issue and the results will be noticeable.
Snug curtains are a game-changer when it comes to containing the warmth in any room and can form a very effective barrier to any cold air that passes your French doors. Remember to open them and allow the sun to fall on the room whenever you can.
Here at Rock Solid Doors, we cover all of London and the Home Counties and are ready and waiting to discuss your French door insulation options and other requirements with you. All our prices include fitting and VAT costs and come with a 10-year guarantee.
We are a family business and pride ourselves on our friendly, professional attitude, so get in touch today and we can work together to keep the winter at bay.
