Adding French doors with sidelites

2 months ago

last modified: last month

I want to add french doors with sidelites. the opening is roughly 96w x 80l, i want to add french doors with sidelites but not sure how to frame or how to install the sidelites. the french doors will be prehung but not the sidelites.

also, possibly a transom

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Comments (5)

PRO
GN Builders L.L.C
2 months ago
With all the wainscotting going on you have to remove existing trim around the opening, pack the opening out the opening for a new door, drywall, etc install new door trim to match the existing, and match wainscotting on both sides of the opening.

Here is an example to give you an idea.
HU-455830395 thanked GN Builders L.L.C
millworkman
2 months ago
What he said, basically you will be stripping the wall and reframe or packing in the opening smaller to accommodate the door. New drywall, and trim will be required..
HU-455830395 thanked millworkman
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Thanks Lyfia! All three ideas could work well. The closet wall currently would be between the two transom windows, so it wouldn't block either. Still, I especially like your idea of putting in a nice PAX closet, at least initially. A 59" (or 49") PAX closet, with a bench or plant in front of the left sidelite. I think that could work very well (if DH will be willing to be unconventional. I'm from Europe, so I'm quite used to wardrobes and no closets). I've been wanting to do a closet organizer anyway, so PAX could accomplish that. And, as you'd said, it means we could see what the space really feels like after we move in. This makes me wonder whether the entry door should be 2'8" rather than 3'0" wide. A smaller door might make the space feel larger ... and would leave more of the closet accessible. I'd assumed that 3' was more practical for bringing in fridges, couches, etc. But if 2'8" is a standard, then there must be other ways movers cope with massive furniture. Thanks! Very interesting ideas for me to sleep on. :-) (Yawn).
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No, this is not going to be taken care of by the normal gaps between parts. The hinge-side gap depends on the hinges used, assuming they're set flush into the door and jamb. In my house (1930s) there's hardly any gap at all at the hinge side. On the doorknob side, the gap is maybe 1/8". Get the actual doors and build to fit. Personally, I'd tear out the existing frames and rebuild them. I also wouldn't use two 24" doors together unless you intend to leave them open most of the time, or not use the doorway often; 24" is an uncomfortably narrow opening to walk through, and opening both doors frequently is a pain.
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I have ordered such windows from Loewen. They are currently on order. The typical sidelights were either fixed or crank-out casements, but I have double hungs instead. In essence you buy french doors from a good manufacturer (loewen, eagle, marvin etc) and "mull on" some other windows on the sides for sidelights. You just have to make sure the mullion is strong enough; normally the factory for the window company in question could advise. The mulling can be done in the factory by some manufacturers, or by your builder for others. I'm not an expert, just a customer who did some research - probably someone more knowledgeable here will post more detail.
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Comments (4)
Ok, the doorway height is 97 1/2" which i'm guessing would give you a 9 ft ceiling ? You can pack the top down to the height you need. no problem there. but you would be changing the overall look. meaning it would be the only doorway with that height. I see the trim on the other other door is 1x? If you went with a prehung 48" double french door you would need an opening of 50" x 82". Now having a width of 54 1/2" you can pack out both sides with a 2x4 which would give you 1 1/2" left over leaving 3/4" on both sides for shiming. check my math its 3:30 am here....lol. All you need is enough of the 1x trim to cover the sheetrock and nail into the 2x4 to avoid the corner bead. Now back to the height, some doors can come with a transom. depending on size? You would have to see your options.
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PRO
PPF.
2 months ago
I've done several similar to this, filling in the opening without removing trim.
HU-455830395 thanked PPF.
HU-455830395
Original Author
2 months ago
Nice, I’m not sure you can see the detail of the trim. It’s on the ouside, inner and wraps around to inside. Also, is that door for interior or exteriorer? were they custom made?
PRO
PPF.
2 months ago
I don't see a problem with the trim. The doors I've used were stock interior wood doors.

Here is another option, using 3 equal sized panels. With a 101w x 96h opening, 3, 3'x8' doors could be used. You would need to work with your supplier on availability.

You will need a good carpenter to put everything together on site, or find a door shop to supply the parts.
HU-455830395 thanked PPF.

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Adding French doors with sidelites

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GN Builders L.L.C

millworkman

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Adding French doors with sidelites

Comments (5)

GN Builders L.L.C

millworkman

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