Crittall French doors, slim and custom-made in the UK

A French door is a double door where both panels open together, traditionally onto a garden, balcony, or courtyard. Crittall French doors combine that classic configuration with the slim 30 millimetre aluminium profile and multi-pane glass that defines the crittall look.

The result is a door pair that feels period-appropriate in an older home and deliberately characterful in a newer one.

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Luxe interieur met stalen deuren en grote ramen, natuurlijke lichtinval, groene planten en comfortabele zithoek, perfect voor moderne woninginrichting.

Slim and stylish

Crittall French doors, the heritage double

The crittall aesthetic has been part of British architecture since the 1920s. In its original form it appeared in steel windows and door frames, with slim profiles and divided glass panes that let in as much light as possible while keeping the structure visible.

Emezzi’s crittall French style doors recreate that look in aluminium, which gives you the same slim sightlines and multi-pane character without the weight and maintenance of traditional steel. The 30 millimetre profile matches the original closely enough that in a period home, the doors read as authentic.

Hoogwaardige stalen deuren en wanden op maat in een modern interieur, scheiding tussen woonkamer en eetkamer, natuurlijke lichtinval, stijlvolle afwerking.

Every style. Every finish. Yours.

Configure your crittall French doors

Bar layout across two panels

Inswing or outswing

Plain double or rebated meeting

Bar layout across two panels

The bar layout runs consistently across both panels so the door reads as one continuous design when closed. Vertical bars align the best between the two panels, and horizontal bars run continuously across the meeting line, so there is no visible interruption at the centre of the door pair. This is handled automatically in the workshop.

Inswing or outswing

French doors open inward or outward. The right choice depends on the location of the door and how the space around it is used.

Outswing is the most common choice for crittall French doors that open onto a garden or terrace. The panels open outward, which preserves the floor space inside. Inswing is more common for internal French doors between rooms, where the direction of swing depends on the floor plan and the furniture on each side. Our advisor confirms the right swing direction during the measurement visit based on your specific layout.

Plain double or rebated meeting

The standard meeting edge is a plain double door, with a slim central meeting stile where the two panels come together. This works well for most door openings and is the simpler, more cost-effective choice.

For door openings where both panels are closed full-time, or where air seal and sound reduction matter, a rebated door is the precision upgrade. One panel tucks slightly behind the other for a tighter close and a cleaner joint.

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Where do crittall French doors work best?

Victorian terraces are the most natural fit for crittall French doors. The rear elevation of a Victorian terrace often has a wide opening, and a pair of crittall French doors in matt black reads exactly right in that context.

Living-room-to-garden transitions in period homes are the most common use. Dining-room-to-conservatory openings are another frequent application, as are kitchen-to-courtyard door openings in urban renovations. For primary-bedroom-to-balcony openings in larger schemes, the French configuration works well because both panels can be opened wide for ventilation without a single panel dominating the space.

Crittall doors between formal reception rooms are also popular, particularly in larger houses where the double opening makes a statement at the entrance to a dining room.

Why aluminium doors? More explanation

Aluminium vs staal

Internal or partially external: which French configuration suits where?

Internal crittall French doors sit between two rooms inside the house. They use the standard internal specification with no weather sealing required.

For door openings onto a garden, conservatory, or covered terrace, Emezzi’s crittall French doors suit partially-protected external door openings well. Do you have a fully weather-exposed garden door opening? Get in touch during the measurement visit and our specialist will confirm whether a different approach is needed.

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Glass and finish choices for crittall French doors

French doors close less silently than a pivot door or sliding door, so Emezzi uses 10 millimetre laminated safety glass as standard across the crittall French range. This gives the door the right weight and impact resistance for a hinged double configuration.

Clear glass is the most popular choice for garden-facing crittall French doors, where the point is to maximise the connection between inside and outside. Matt black RAL9005 is the heritage default and the most-specified finish for period homes. Bronze tinted glass paired with a warm bronze profile is a recognised designer combination for a warmer, more distinctive look.

Interieur met stalen binnendeuren en een comfortabele zithoek, inclusief een plant en decoratieve kussens, in een eigentijdse woning.

Custom-made

Custom-made dimensions, fitted across the UK

Every pair of Emezzi crittall French doors is made to measure. Our installer visits for a measurement visit, confirms the door opening dimensions, and checks whether the existing opening can accept the new aluminium frame. Any preparation work needed is scoped and quoted at that stage.

French door installations typically take half a day longer than a single hinged door, because of the additional frame work and the alignment of two panels. The doors are manufactured in the workshop and installed by Emezzi-authorised dealers across the UK.

Your general questions about lead times and installation are answered on our FAQ page. Design your crittall French doors in the configurator and get an instant price.

Hoogwaardige stalen deur op maat in een moderne keuken met warme kleuren en natuurlijke materialen, perfect voor een stijlvolle woning.

Reply to everything

Frequently asked questions about aluminium doors

Most people asking about crittall French doors want to know whether they work as a garden door, how they hold up against the weather, and what proportions work best for their opening.

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Can crittall French doors be used as a garden door?

For partially-protected door openings such as covered terraces, porch areas, and conservatories adjoining the house, crittall French doors work well. For many fully-external garden door openings, the standard specification also works. For exposed coastal sites or fully unprotected rear garden openings, get in touch and we will talk you through the options.

Are crittall French doors single or double glazed?

The standard crittall French door uses single-glazed 10 millimetre laminated safety glass. Double-glazed crittall French doors are available as an upgrade for thermal performance, recommended for external door openings or rooms where heat loss matters. Our advisor will recommend the right specification for your situation during the measurement visit.

What is the maximum width for a pair of crittall French doors?

The practical maximum is around 300 centimetres total, with two panels of up to 150 centimetres each. For wider door openings, fixed glazed side panels fill the remaining width on either side of the door pair. This also helps visually anchor the doors within a larger opening, which often reads better than a very wide pair of panels on their own.

Can French doors include side panels?

Fixed glazed side panels are a common addition, particularly for wider door openings or where you want the door pair to read as part of a continuous glazed wall. Our configurator handles the side panels alongside the door panels and aligns the bar layout across the full assembly. Take a look at our room divider configurations for wider setups with fixed panels.

Will French doors suit a contemporary garden?

Crittall French doors have become a recognised way to add character to contemporary garden rooms and extensions. In a modern setting, fewer panes tend to work better than a heavily divided heritage configuration. A three or four-pane layout reads as a considered design choice rather than a full heritage statement.