Standard French Door Glass Size: A Complete Guide

French doors are an elegant and timeless architectural feature known for their decorative glass panes that allow ample natural light into a space. But what are the standard glass sizes for these iconic doors? Understanding the typical dimensions of French door glass can ensure you select the right doors to fit your home’s openings.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll overview everything you need to know about standard French door glass dimensions, including:

Table of Contents

Typical Glass Height for French Doors

The most common height for French door glass panels is 79.5 inches. This matches the standard door height of 80 inches when accounting for the top and bottom door rails.

Some other standard heights for French door glass you may see include:

78 inches
81 inches
84 inches

Expect French door glass to be around 79-81 inches tall in most models. This provides enough glass to fill most of the door panel from top to bottom.

Typical Glass Width for French Doors

French door glass width can vary more significantly depending on the overall door size. Standard glass widths include:

15 inches – For 30-inch doors
23 inches – For 36-inch doors
31 inches – For 48-inch doors
39 inches – For 60-inch doors

The glass width typically takes up most of the door panel, aside from a border on each side between the glass and the stiles. The 36-inch door usually has a glass width of around 23 inches after accounting for this border.

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Standard Glass Types

There are a few standard glass types used in most French door models:

Clear Glass – This traditional look provides no obstruction of the view.
Obscure Glass – Etched or frosted glass provides privacy while allowing light through.
Low-E Glass – Specialized coating improves thermal efficiency.
Tempered Glass – Treated for enhanced strength and safety.
Insulated Glass – Double-paned units with a gas fill improve energy efficiency.

When choosing French doors, you’ll want to select from these common glass types based on your needs and style preferences.

Number of Glass Panes

Another important factor is the number of individual glass panes in each door. Common configurations include:

6 Lites – 2 rows of 3 vertical glass panes
8 Lites – 3 rows of 2 vertical glass panes
9 Lites – 3 rows of 3 vertical glass panes
12 Lites – 4 rows of 3 vertical glass panes

The number of individual lites provides different decorative looks but does not affect the overall glass dimensions in the door.

Glass Measurement Terminology

Here are some key terms related to French door glass size:

Daylight Opening – The width and height of the glass.
Rough Opening – The opening in the wall framing for the full-door unit.
Lite – Individual glass pane in the door.

Knowing this glass measurement terminology can help when ordering the right French doors for your project.

How to Measure for Replacement Glass

If you need to replace broken glass in an existing French door, carefully measure the inside dimensions of the wood muntins to get the daylight opening size. This will ensure proper glass sizing for an ideal fit.

Factors Impacting Glass Size

Some additional considerations when it comes to French door glass dimensions:

Muntins – Thicker muntin bars between glass panes reduce daylight opening.
Stiles – Wider door stiles decrease overall glass width.
Rails – Taller bottom rails reduce the glass height.
Frames – Interior stop moulding affects glass dimensions.
Reveals – The space between glass edges and frame must be accounted for.
Specs – Always verify measurements on manufacturers’ technical drawings.

Standard French Door Glass Sizes Chart

To summarize standard glass height and width:

Door Width	Typical Glass Width
30 inches	15 inches
36 inches	23 inches
48 inches	31 inches
60 inches	39 inches

Door Height	Typical Glass Height
78-81 inches	76-79 inches

So when shopping for new or replacement French door glass, refer to this handy chart to understand the common size standards.

Custom Glass Sizes

If you have an unusual opening size or specific design needs, custom-sized French door glass can be ordered. However, this generally comes at an increased cost and lead time.

The industry norms we’ve covered above should handle most standard installation projects. But customization is possible if required.

Glass Size Affects Style

The proportions of glass width and height in French doors can significantly impact the overall visual style. Consider these options:

Tall, narrow glass panes for a more traditional look
Wide, short glass panes for a modern or contemporary style
Square glass proportions for a balanced aesthetic

Mix and match glass dimensions with different muntin patterns, door colours, and hardware finishes to create your unique French door style.

Is the Standard French Door Glass Size Too Large for Small Spaces?

The standard French door glass size may indeed be too large for small spaces, but the good news is that there are options. Homeowners with limited space can consider the smallest French doors available, which provide the elegance of French doors without overwhelming a smaller area.

Summary of Key French Door Glass Size Facts:

Standard height is 79-81 inches
Width ranges from 15-39 inches depending on door width
Clear, obscure, low-E, and tempered are common glass types
Different number of lites changes the decorative look
Terminology includes daylight opening and rough opening
Many factors can alter glass size, like muntins and stiles
Custom glass dimensions are possible if required

With this guide to standard French door glass heights and widths, you’ll be well-equipped to choose the perfect doors featuring beautiful, properly sized glass panes to let the light into your home. Reach out to door providers to verify specific sizing if needed. But use this info as a helpful starting point when planning your upcoming project.

James Davis

I’m James Davis, a carpenter with eight years of experience in carpentry services, repairs, installations, renovations, and maintenance of interior doors. I have a diploma in carpentry and joiner trade from the Education Skills Australia Institute and take pride in delivering high-quality results to ensure customer satisfaction. I’m a blog writer for Octopus Doors Company and enjoy sharing my knowledge and tips on maintaining security measures and choosing the right door materials, paints, or handle styles. I specialize in custom-made interior doors and strive to make every home look fabulous. Contact me anytime for help with door-related issues.