French Doors

October 31, 2008

France has just too many famous and infamous connections with its name. Whether it is the French Revolution, that is right up there with the events that changed the course of world history; French Beard, the conspicuous goatee on the otherwise clean shaved face, which is the most “in” thing with everyone from Beckham to Aamir sporting it; French Leave, that can give any HR manager jittery nights; and the French Kiss, probably the most common fantasy any just-reached-puberty kid nurtures; all vow by their explicit or implicit French connection. Now, before the knight in shining armour with a French beard, laying dormant in each of us, gets up, dust his armour, takes a French leave from his organization (engrossed in yet another French Revolution) to go and share a French kiss with his beloved, let me introduce to you yet another term called French Doors. Though, apparently it may not sound as glamorous and as enticing as the aforementioned terms, but take my word in the world of architecture and interior decoration the term is probably as popular and famous as the ex-model wife of the current President of France is in fashion circuits.

As the name itself indicates, rather makes it obvious, that French doors originated first in France from where they grew in popularity and were much in vogue both in France and Germany. It was the fag end of the Renaissance period of art and architecture and like most things of that period; it has abated its march in the current century with much pride and glory. For the uninitiated let us first explain what a French door is. It is a door that has glass panel extending to its full length from top to the bottom. As it will be quite foolish to construct a complete door with a single sheet or panel of the glass, owing to issues such as breakage and strength, therefore a French door is made up of individual pieces of glass interrupted with muillions. A muillion is nothing but certain material that divides the different panels of glass used in a single door. The concept of a French door is not very rigid regarding the material for these muillions but the most commonly used are aluminium and wood. A wood muillion can be chosen from all kinds of wood available and aluminium is also available in different grades and thus can be chosen accordingly.  Each pane of glass used in a French door is called a lite and we have configurations like single lite, five lite, ten lite, etc. It is also important to note that different kind of glass can be used for each individual lite that effectively enhances the beauty and style of the entire construction.

For the purpose of insulation and maintaining the temperature of the interiors, double pane of glasses can be used in the French door. People who are concerned about the security may also insert a decorative grill between the two panes adding to the mystique, beauty and safety feature of a French door. Traditionally, a French door was a swing door with an in swing or out swing but now we also have the options of pocket French doors which may majestically slide in and out of the walls thereby saving on valuable space. The interior door handles on French doors should be spectacularly adorned with carvings and design. Interior door handles add to the charm and elegance of the French home and are widely available in the market in a variety of shapes and sizes.

To explore the various types of French doors let us see what options are available in terms of glass used in a French door.

1) Frosted Glass: This is a translucent glass with various patterns etched on it that determines the amount of light it obscures and the amount it allows to pass through it. They allow considerable sunlight to pass but do not allow people to see what is on the other side and hence are ideal for private spaces like bedrooms, bathrooms, offices, etc.

2) Tempered Glass: A sheet of glass may crack open if subjected to frequent and extreme change in temperature. But if done in a controlled fashion, the extreme heating and cooling yields a variety of glass that is 4 to 5 times stronger than the regular glass. It also makes the glass heat- proof. Another advantage is that such a glass does not break into sharp shards. All these properties make tampered glass also known as safety glass a perfect fit for exterior French doors and sturdy interior doors.

3) Grooved Glass: Another one for increasing the style quotient. They have a pattern or design grooved on them lending them a classical look. They can now be customized to meet the expectations of the inhabitants.

4) Beveled Glass French door: These doors use panes of glass that are done up in the manner glass prisms are made. Consequently when light falls on it they yield interesting patterns of colours and lights on the interior adding to the elegance and period feel of a French door.

Needless to say a French door imparts elegance and beauty to a house in a manner that only something associated with France can do. The tangible advantage of having a French door is increased sunlight in the house, which probably necessitated their invention in an era predating electricity and air-conditioning. Before concluding it is imperative to mention that there is hardly any difference between a French window and a French door. It all basically depends on the use you put it to. A window if you are letting in air and a door if you are letting in your lover.

Glass Doors

October 25, 2008

The contemporary and chic furniture such as glass doors, glass partitions, glass windows and other glass interiors are the trendiest thing available in the market which can give your paradise a designer look. Glass interiors have gained a lot of popularity in the past couple of few years. Not only the glass furniture gives your place a trendy and classy look but it also provides a strong inbuilt security system. The glass doors amid all the type of furniture are getting the maximum popularity due to its day to day usage and compatible prices. These glass doors not only give an access of the out side view, but also gives the room a fresh feel. Let us have a look at some of the patterns of the glass door which have recently gained popularity:

Frameless glass doors: The frameless glass doors are the most exclusive thing available in the market in variety of choices. These glass doors are 8 mm thick and provide you with supreme security concerns. Not only these doors look exclusive but also give a fresh feel to your place. You can have the glass doors in etched and stained glass forms. These doors have an inbuilt deadbolt system which prevents its breakage at the hour of mishap. This is a perfect example of contemporary glass door designs in the market.


Stained glass single and double paneled doors: The single doors are the ones which have a single door panel with exclusive stained glass designs on it. While the double paneled glass doors are those which have two panels to open and close with artistic stain glass patterns on it. The stain glass paintings made on the door gives a translucent appearance. Shades such as green, yellow, orange, deep blue, brown, are used in stained glass doors. The single paneled doors often have designs of a flowery creeper, a berry or grape creeper, the scene of a bird on the tree, butterflies, etc. The designs in the single paneled doors are not so intricate but they are surely full of multiple colors. Interior door handles also look great on glass doors as they stand out in the transparency. Interior door handles come in a wide range of shapes and sizes and one should buy only that which suits the décor of the house. The double paneled door often carry intricate designs such as some holy signs of Chinese, fiery dragons, human figures, etc. They give your place an ethnic look which is full of colors. Now a day’s people also go for a spot light focusing just on the door to add on to its attraction.

Bi-folding glass doors: The bi-folding glass doors are a complete solution to all of your tensions related to glass door furniture.  These doors are a perfect option for a person who needs weather proof furniture. These doors are sturdy enough to bear the blow of nature and also stand tall. Not only they give the place a designer and sturdy look but also its slim profile gives the resident an incredible view. It is a compact door which requires zero or very little maintenance. These doors are also offered in a combo price with matching windows. Now day’s offers on these doors are also found such as complimentary door and window blinds with the product. All we can say is that this is an absolutely fantastic range of ornamental glass doors.
Sliding glass doors: Sliding glass doors is another great option available to the consumer in the glass door category. Today it is widely available in the market in a variety of designs and ranges. These doors generally do not have any etching or painting on them. Sophistication and clarity is the beauty of these doors. These doors are widely used in offices, and are rarely used for domestic purposes. Sliding glass doors are a sign of unparalleled beauty and elegance. Various types of locks and knobs are used in these types of doors such as inbuilt dead lock, mounted dead lock, thumb impression lock, simple latches, etc. These doors are generally installed to add to the classiness of the place. In the safety concerns these doors do not score a very high rank. Overall a door which is not very costly and do not require much maintenance as well. An affordable item with low maintenance cost.

Automatic glass doors: Another form of glass doors which are used largely in commercial places and big business houses are automatic glass doors. These automatic glass doors have an inbuilt sensor which indicates them to open and close the door when it senses a person. These doors open and close automatically when a person is about to enter or make an exit. Although these doors are costly, but they also provide with the same level of satisfaction as much you pay for them. No décor like stain glass figures or etched figures are needed in these doors. Their clarity and sophistication is their actual beauty which gives the place a matchless and elite feel. Generally these doors are not meant for domestic purposes; instead they are just used by cream industrialists.

French glass doors: The French glass doors are another type of door of its own kind. These are huge glass doors with a metallic or wooden frame. These doors are great to look at and a give a cream of the crop feel to the place. Etchings, glass paintings and enamel based paintings are common on these types of doors. The huge French door with a wooden frame gives the place an ethnic feel. Teak, cedar and other woods with a coat of varnish over them give a royal feel to the place. Metal frames also enhance the beauty of such doors. With beautiful frames the doors look very attractive and do not remain a boring piece of furniture.

Given above are some of the selected choices of glass doors which would work great both for professional as well as domestic uses. It is entirely the choice of the customer to choose the best thing, keeping in mind his needs and aspirations. One needs to prioritize the requirement and then make a choice from the various kinds of glass doors.

Human beings are the finest and unique creation of god on earth. Although every thing which is created by god is special, however, it can be felt that he has given extra care to the human kind. It is said that nothing is more powerful than the human brains. He has the capability to make an effective use of every available resource.  Because, of these specialties and uniqueness, the life of every human is highly valuable. There are several types of laws to protect human life all over the world. To secure the human kind from natural calamities and several other dangerous situations, there are plenty of factors which have been created by our ancestors. Houses are one of such factors which have been formed by the ancient people so as to secure human life on earth. Houses were built so that people could live a safe and healthy life without any fear.

The basic objective for building a house is somewhat changed in the modernized century. Now, a house is lot more than a protective shelter. Almost everyone has a desire of having his own house. People are working hard for money and doing every possible activity so as to turn this dream into reality. Whether it is about making proper budget for house construction or about selecting the furniture, every area is given proper attention.

When it comes on designing the in and out of a home, there are lots of aspects which needs to be given a deep thought. The furniture, painting, lighting and making use of the space wisely, are some of such activities which need to be performed well for getting an excellent house. Door furniture is another factor which should be handled properly so as to give the house a complete look. The most common or basic factor of any house door are its knobs and handles. To know more about it here are some details.

Durable and sturdy nature of Door Handles/ Knobs

Door knobs were invented by Genius Zsa Zsa Gabor. Knobs or handles are the imperative element of any door. They are basically used for the opening and closing purpose of the doors. Apart from this function, they also contribute in the process of creating the most suitable appearance of your house. Door knobs and handles are meant to take over the responsibility of the door to some extent, and for this, a strong, durable and sturdy door knob/handle is highly essential. Door knobs and handles are used numerous times every day for getting in and coming out of the room. Delicate and soft door knobs might look nice and fancy; however, these are not a great option for daily use. These knobs or handles can be used on such doors which are not used very frequently in the house. Now days there are so many options of durable door handles available in the market. To know more about such options, here are some of the examples.


Different Alternatives of Door Knobs and Handles

Manmade creations are endless on earth and so it is in the case of door furniture. Different types of door accessories are getting used by the people so as to add glory to their house. There are several varieties of door knobs and handles which can be easily found in the market. Whether the need is for a showy door knob or a strong and durable one, every option is available in the stores. Here are some of the easily available alternatives of sturdy door knobs and handles.

Brass Door Knobs/ Handles:

Brass door handles are one of the best examples of sturdy and long lasting door furniture. These door knobs or handles can be fixed wherever they are required according to your choice. The main advantage, which makes brass door handles preferable, is that it hardly gets oxidized or decayed. Such door handles and knobs are helpful for giving a contemporary as well as traditional look to the house. Polishing them time to time adds glossiness and shine.

Porcelain Door Knobs:

Porcelain is also a material with which strong and long lasting door knobs can be made. Such door knobs enhance the beauty of any door, specially the wooden ones. These door knobs are available in different styles and colors like black, white, cream etc. One can use them according to the theme or style of the house. Maintenance of porcelain door knobs is not a tedious job. A cloth dipped in a mixture of soap and water is enough for its cleaning purpose.

Wooden Door Knobs/ Handles:

For giving an Edwardian or Victorian appearance to the house, wooden door knobs and handles serves the best. Apart from this, they are also very strong and tough in nature. It is wise decision to use wooden door knobs for everyday purpose.

All the above mentioned alternatives of strong door knobs and handles are the most attractive, popular and reasonable handles available in almost every shop of door hardware.

House doors can be a mirror of its owner’s personality. The style of the door can reflect anyone’s persona. A fabulous and stylish door handle is wanted by almost everyone however the basic factors which should be kept in mind while purchasing any door knobs or handles are their durability and sturdiness. The above mentioned examples are the perfect picture of such long lasting door handles. Any one can go for these alternatives keeping in mind the overall look or the theme of the house. All these door knobs and handles are available in numerous colors and designs. So if a thought of changing the old door hard wares of your house is floating in your mind, select any of these sturdy door knobs or handles and add to your house an ever lasting beauty.