Understanding French door customisation options | What customers need to know
Alexandra works in the marketing department, and in 2014, bought her first house, which turned out to be somewhat of a ‘project’. Since then, the whole house has needed renovating, which has helped her gain a knowledge of basic DIY, decorating and making the best of a small space.
To ensure you can work with your customers to specify the most ideal French door for them, you will need to become an expert on the different options available with Origin French Doors. This includes the different threshold options available, the handle options, security options – and more.
Read our full guide to understanding French doors, and the benefits of working with Origin.
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Find out more about French door threshold options and the importance of these.
Read how to advise customers on the different handle options available.
Find out more about the different security options for French doors.
Read our guide to the different Origin French Door options.
Read the full range of customisation options available for Origin French Doors.
Find out the benefits of working with Origin.
Advising customers on threshold options
Thresholds play an important role in a home’s weatherproofing and usability as well as the overall look and finish of a door. The lower the threshold, the lower the risk of tripping when stepping through the doorway. Plus, a low threshold more seamlessly connects indoor and outdoor spaces to create a sense of continuity and openness. However, the most ideal option depends on your customer’s requirements.
Weathered thresholds tend to be the most common external French door threshold because they provide optimal protection against inclement weather. This tends to be a priority for most homeowners as they will want to preserve the integrity of their inside area. Our weathered thresholds are designed to offer exceptional rates of weather protection on exterior doors. They have an 6mm upstand, which minimises tripping hazards while ensuring the elements are kept outside.
On the other hand, if a subtle threshold is a priority for customers – a non-weather rated threshold may be the preferred option. This will give customers a completely flush transition through the doors, but it should be made clear that full weather protection will not be guaranteed if the French doors are set to be used externally. Ask them whether their patio area is sheltered – as in this case, the non-weathered low threshold might be suitable due to a low risk of weather damage. A non-weathered threshold may also be a suitable and a fantastic choice for achieving an open and seamless look. Origin’s non-weathered thresholds are just 50mm high, which allows them to provide a flush walkway between rooms. However, they do not provide the same level of weather protection.
If accessibility is a priority for your customers, the mobility threshold is likely to be the right choice. You may want to discuss whether they have any mobility requirements, or whether a frequent visitor to their property uses a wheelchair or walking aid, as in this case - accessibility should be prioritised. Our mobility thresholds are just 20mm high to provide accessibility to wheelchair users or those who use walking aids. When helping a customer choose the right option, you need to provide advice on accessibility, take into account the different designs, and weather protection.
Read our full guide to explaining French door threshold options here.
Understanding French door handle options
It’s important that your customers’ door handle matches the style of the door and is a durable and practical solution. French door handles are therefore vital aspects to be taken into consideration when supplying doors to customers and providing advice.
When advising customers on handle options, it's important that you provide them with enough information. This includes what design to choose, colour options, cost, style and aesthetic. Taking this one step further, you may want to understand the handle depths in case the doors are opening out onto another surface.
You can provide your customers with a variety of hinge, handle and other door hardware colour schemes and styles to match the decor of their home and to match the overall look of their French doors. Our Deluxe handle collection includes:
Stainless Steel handles
We also offer a Stainless Steel handle range that can be colour coded to match the door colour chosen by your customers, available in over 150 RAL colours.
Aluminium handles
Origin’s aluminium lever handle range allows for easy and smooth operation. These handles are perfect for a simple, classic addition to a French door.
French door security options
French doors provided by Origin are made from robust, premium-grade aluminium, making them a safe and secure choice. Origin French Doors have been rigorously tested to ensure they're robustly safe, whatever property they're fitted in. They come with reassuring safety compliance, PAS24, and are Secured By Design accredited, meaning they get Police backed security.
Origin also offers its own robust door lock, which has been specifically designed with security (and weather resistance) in mind and comes with an impressive eight-point locking system. Sturdy linear bolts and security hooks add to the efficient and secure operation of the door locks, and our bespoke hinges further enhance the security of the doors. Different barrel options are also available.
Read our full guide to understanding Origin French Door security features here.
Origin French Patio Door options
Your customers will have a wide range of choices available when it comes to the design and functionality of their Origin aluminium French doors. There are two different systems to choose from - OB-72 and OB-49, with the latter offering enhanced views with individual sash sightlines as slim as 49mm. Customers can also opt to have their French doors open either inwards or outwards.
View the OB-49 and OB-72 specification file here for more information.
Your customers can choose from over 150 RAL colours, with the option for dual colours should they want different colours on the interior frame and exterior frame. We also have a wide variety of handle styles and colours to choose from, including rose gold, black, white and stainless steel.
View the different options of Origin French Doors here.
Origin French Door customisation options
Origin French Doors come with a range of features and can be manufactured to suit the needs of clients. Benefits and features include:
A range of colour options: Origin French Doors come in a range of sleek colours, with over 150 RAL colours and finishes available as well as 2 authentic woodgrain finishes.
Different styles: Origin French Doors come in a range of different styles to minimalist, modern, period, or traditional property styles. 2 different sightline options are available in the OB-49 or OB-72 system.
Versatile in its usages: Origin French Doors can be used wherever you see fit. Whether it be on the rear or side of a property, on a balcony or even as a Front Door or Garage Door. When the latter are chosen, they can either be supplied as glass panels, with Georgian bars or with one of our ten panel styles. This ensures if your customer has Origin throughout the property, it brings whole house style continuity. Additionally, it means you are minimising how many suppliers you’re having the work with as Origin are able to offer it all.
Panel options and configurations: Depending on the size of the client’s property, Origin French Doors can include different configurations such as side lights or fixed panes at the top to suit practical requirements. Both the OB-72 and OB-49 system can be manufactured to cater for double and triple glazing, with unit sizes of 28mm or 32mm.
Accessories: Origin offers accessories including different handle ranges, slave handles and d-handles.
Bespoke options: Origin Doors are made to order.
Opening in or out: Origin French Doors can be manufactured to be opening in or opening outwards, depending on preference.
Threshold options: A range of thresholds to prevent trips and ensure coherence between the inside of the home and the patio.
Read more about Origin French Doors here.
Why choose to work with Origin?
Not only are our French doors made from premium-quality aluminium, but they also come with a guarantee of up to 20 years. At Origin, we manufacture all our products in Britain including the French Doors, so by choosing a UK-made product, you're contributing to the local economy and reducing your carbon footprint by reducing air miles associated with buying from abroad.
On top of this, we also offer quick lead times and a wide range of bespoke options so your customers can choose the ideal design for them.
Find out more about supplying French doors with Origin here.
Benefits of working with Origin include:
Up to a 20-year guarantee: Our guarantee means your clients can rest safe in the knowledge that their doors are covered for up to 20 years from manufacturing fault.
Quick lead times: Our doors can be manufactured and delivered in as little as one working day. This allows you to complete an install in a short period and improve your cash flow following this.
Premium quality aluminium: We source only the sleekest and strongest aluminium.
Training and support: We offer training and support about how to install our doors, allowing tradespeople to offer excellent results for their clients. If you require an assisted fit, please contact your local Sales advisor.
Become an Origin Trade partner today.