Home > Services > Door Repair > French Door Installation & Repair
Houston Handyman Expert
French Door Installation & Repair in Houston, TX
A pair of exterior French patio doors that no longer meet cleanly in the middle, leaving a gap that lets Houston’s heat and humidity through. An interior French door pair in a home office that has started to stick at the top. A homeowner who wants to replace a plain back door with French doors opening onto the backyard, but wants it done so the pair aligns correctly from day one.
Professional French door work covers the specific challenges these doors face in Houston, from foundation-driven frame shifts to humidity swelling wood panels, with the alignment, hardware, and sealing expertise a two-panel door requires.
Get Your Free Quote
Fill out the form below and we’ll contact you within 24 hours to confirm.
- No obligation. 100% Free Estimate.
Signs You Need French Door Repair
French doors demand more precision than a single door because every adjustment to one panel affects how it relates to the other. Homeowners comparing specialty interior doors can also explore our pocket door installation and repair services.
Panels No Longer Close Flush
The most common French door issue, usually a hinge adjustment needed on one of the two panels.
Deadbolt Won’t Throw Cleanly on an Exterior Pair
Points to a mortise alignment issue in the inactive panel.
Daylight or Drafts at the Top or Bottom of a Closed Pair
Means the weather sealing there has failed and needs replacing.
Panel Swing Feels Heavier or Stiffer Than It Used To
Can indicate hinge wear even before visible misalignment develops, and catching it early makes for a simpler adjustment.
One Panel Catches on the Floor or Top Jamb
But not the other, usually meaning just that one panel has dropped slightly on its hinges.
Wood Panels Swelling and Sticking Seasonally
Most noticeable at the meeting edge between the two panels during humid months.
Panel Edges Never Properly Sealed
Often show swelling and sticking worse than doors sealed correctly at the factory or during a prior repaint.
Flush Bolts or Surface Bolts Feeling Loose
The hardware holding the inactive panel in place at top and bottom is a common but easy-to-miss cause of a pair that feels unstable.
Our French Door Installation & Repair Services
Exterior French Door Installation
Exterior french door installation on a backyard or patio opening involves setting both panels plumb and square, sealing the top and bottom of the pair against rain, and making sure the active and inactive panels meet cleanly at the center astragal. For exterior openings exposed to Houston weather, we also repair patio doors in Houston including seals, alignment, and hardware.
Interior French Door Installation
Interior french door installation for a home office, dining room, or primary suite focuses on smooth swing clearance and clean alignment between the two panels, since interior pairs don't need the weatherproofing an exterior pair requires.
French Door Hardware Repair
French door hardware repair covers deadbolt mortise issues on exterior pairs, where the bolt no longer throws cleanly into the inactive panel, along with hinge adjustment and handle replacement on both interior and exterior doors.
French Door Panel Alignment
When panels no longer meet flush, we diagnose which panel has actually shifted rather than adjusting both, since French door issues are usually isolated to one panel even though they affect the pair.
French Door Weather Sealing
Exterior French doors need sealing at the top, bottom, and meeting edge to keep out Houston's rain and humidity. We replace worn weatherstripping and re-seal frame gaps as needed.
French Door Flush & Surface Bolt Repair
The flush bolts or surface bolts that hold the inactive panel in place at the top and bottom wear over time. We service or replace this hardware so the inactive panel stays securely fixed.
French Door Glass Replacement
Whether it's a cracked pane, a failed insulated glass seal, or a homeowner wanting to switch to obscured or decorative glass, we replace French door glass panels to match the existing frame configuration.
Common Causes of French Door Damage in Houston
Foundation Movement
Seasonal clay soil shifts can throw off panel alignment even on doors that closed fine for years.
Humidity and Wood Swelling
Wood panels absorb moisture and swell, showing up most at the meeting edge between the two panels.
Daily Hinge Wear
Frequent use wears hinge hardware down, gradually changing panel position over time.
Unsealed Panel Edges
Edges never properly sealed at the factory or during a repaint absorb moisture fastest and swell worse than sealed edges.
Age
Older French door installations, especially original wood pairs in historic Houston neighborhoods, show cumulative wear from decades of use.
Storm and Wind Stress
Wind pressure against an exterior pair can stress hinges and hardware more than on a single door.
Poor Original Installation
Panels that weren't hung perfectly plumb from the start tend to develop alignment issues sooner.
Maintenance tip: check exterior French door weatherstripping each spring before Houston’s humid season, and address a small alignment issue on one panel before it worsens and affects the pair’s fit as a whole.
Benefits of Professional French Door Installation & Repair
Restores Clean Panel Alignment
Both panels meet and close flush, without the gap or catch that develops over time.
Improves Security
A properly functioning deadbolt and mortise alignment mean the door secures the way it’s designed to.
Better Energy Efficiency
Sealed panel edges and weatherstripping keep conditioned air in and Houston’s heat and humidity out.
Prevents Water Damage
Proper sealing at the top, bottom, and meeting edge on exterior pairs stops slow water intrusion.
Improves Home Value
A smoothly operating, properly sealed French door pair is a detail that stands out positively to buyers.
Better Everyday Usability
Both panels swinging and closing smoothly makes daily use, especially with items in hand, noticeably easier.
Long-Lasting Repairs
Correctly diagnosing which panel actually needs adjustment produces a fix that holds.
Step 1
French Door Inspection
We check both panels together, since French door problems usually involve how they relate to each other.
Step 2
Determine Which Panel Needs Attention
We isolate the actual source of misalignment rather than adjusting both panels indiscriminately.
Step 3
Protect Floors & Nearby Areas
Drop cloths and coverings placed before any hardware or panel work begins.
Step 4
Adjust or Replace Hinges
Hinge position corrected or hardware replaced on the panel that has shifted.
Step 5
Repair Mortise & Deadbolt Alignment
On exterior pairs, the deadbolt mortise realigned so the bolt throws cleanly.
Step 6
Service Flush & Surface Bolts
Hardware holding the inactive panel checked and repaired or replaced as needed.
Step 7
Apply Weather Sealing
New weatherstripping and sealing applied at the top, bottom, and meeting edge on exterior pairs.
Step 8
Test the Full Pair
We open and close both panels together multiple times and confirm the lock throws cleanly.
Step 9
Final Walkthrough & Cleanup
We clear debris and walk through the finished repair with you before we leave.
Common French Door Problems We Fix
Panels that no longer close flush
Deadbolts that won’t throw cleanly
Drafts at the top or bottom of exterior pairs
Wood panels swelling and sticking seasonally
One panel catching on the floor or jamb
Worn flush and surface bolt hardware
New interior and exterior French door installations
Panels widened or narrowed to fit an existing opening
Failed weather sealing on exterior pairs
Hinge sag on heavily used panels
Related Services We Provide in Houston
Drywall
- Drywall Tape Failure
- Large Hole Patches
- Medium Hole Patches
- Small Hole Patches
Carpentry Services
- Handrail & Stairs Installation
- Fence Installation & Repair
- Wood Rot Repair
- Interior Carpentry
- Crown Molding Installation & Repair
- Wall Installation & Repair
Door Repair
- Interior Door Repair
- Exterior Door Repair
- Patio Door Installation and Repair
- Screen Door Installation and Repair
- Sliding Door Installation and Repair
- Pet Door Installation and Repair
- Pocket Door Installation and Repair
- Barn Door Installation and Repair
- French Door Installation and Repair
- Door Hardware Repair and Replacement
FRENCH DOOR BASICS
Professional French Door Installation & Repair Services in Houston
French door problems are almost always about how the two panels relate to each other, so we assess the pair as a unit, not one door at a time. A hinge adjustment on one panel can change whether the pair meets flush at the center.
Houston’s foundation movement from seasonal clay soil shifts can throw off panel alignment even on doors that closed fine for years. Humidity causes wood panels to swell and stick, particularly at the meeting edge, and daily hinge wear affects panel position over time.
Doneright Houston also provide install and repair French doors in single-family homes, townhomes, and condos throughout Houston, both interior pairs for home offices and dining rooms, and exterior pairs opening onto backyards and patios. We also work in light commercial spaces using French doors for entries and interior divisions.
Why Choose Done Right Houston
- Experienced Door Professionals. Real hands-on repair and installation experience across every door type and era of Houston home.
- Precision Diagnosis. We identify the actual cause – track, roller, frame, or hardware – before recommending a repair, not guesswork.
- Owner-Operated Team. The same team quotes, repairs, and stands behind the work. No subcontractor rotation, no revolving crew of strangers.
- Clean Workmanship. Floors and finishes protected, debris hauled away, and minimal disruption to your home while we work.
- Affordable Pricing. Clear, written estimates before work begins, with no surprise charges partway through.
- Satisfaction Guarantee. If the repair isn’t right at the final test, we correct it before we leave.
- Fast Scheduling. Most repairs can be scheduled within a few days, and small fixes often same-day or next-day.
- Local Houston Team. We understand how foundation movement, humidity, and heat affect doors across every era of Houston housing.
FRENCH DOOR COSTS
French Door Installation & Repair Costs in Houston
French door costs in Houston are shaped by whether the pair is interior or exterior, since exterior installations require weatherproofing work that interior pairs don’t need. A hinge or hardware adjustment on one or both panels typically runs $150 to $350 per panel.
A full interior French door installation generally ranges from $700 to $1,800. Exterior pairs cost more due to the sealing, flashing, and threshold work required, and can range from $1,500 to $4,000 or more when reframing is needed. Widening an existing single-door opening to fit a French door pair adds framing work and cost compared to installing into an opening that’s already sized correctly.
We look at both panels and the surrounding frame before quoting any French door work, since the price depends on the actual condition we find, not just the visible symptom you called about.
SERVICE AREAS
Areas We Serve
Done Right Houston provides door installation and repair throughout the Houston metro. Don’t see your area listed? Give us a call — we serve most of the greater Houston area and surrounding communities.
French Door Installation & Repair FAQs
How much does French door installation cost in Houston?
A repair to hinges, alignment, or hardware on one or both panels typically runs $150 to $350 per panel. A full interior French door installation generally ranges from $700 to $1,800. An exterior pair requiring reframing and weather sealing can range from $1,500 to $4,000 or more. We give you a clear price before starting.
Why don't my French doors close flush anymore?
This is almost always a hinge or alignment issue on one of the two panels, sometimes caused by the frame shifting slightly from Houston’s foundation movement. We adjust the hinges and, if needed, the frame itself so both panels meet cleanly again.
Do you repair exterior French patio doors specifically?
Yes. Exterior french door installation and repair includes the weather sealing at the top, bottom, and meeting edge that interior pairs don’t need, since exterior doors take on Houston’s rain and humidity directly.
My French door deadbolt won't lock. Can you fix that?
Yes. This is usually a mortise alignment issue in the inactive panel, where the deadbolt no longer lines up with its receiving hole. We adjust the mortise and panel position so the bolt throws cleanly again.
Can you install French doors where a single door is now?
Yes, if the opening can be widened to fit a French door pair, or if you’re open to a slightly narrower pair to fit the existing opening. We assess the space and give you honest options during your estimate.
Do you install both interior and exterior French doors?
Yes. Interior french door installation and exterior french door installation both fall under our French door services, and the two have different requirements around weatherproofing and hardware.
Why does my wood French door swell and stick at certain times of year?
Houston’s humidity causes wood French doors to absorb moisture and swell, which shows up most at the meeting edge between the two panels. This is often worse on doors where the panel edges were never properly sealed at the factory or during a prior repaint.
How long does French door installation take?
A repair to hinges, alignment, or hardware typically takes 45 minutes to an hour per panel. A full French door installation, especially an exterior pair requiring reframing and sealing, usually takes a full day.
Can just one panel of my French doors be repaired, or do both need work?
Often just one panel is the actual source of the problem, especially with hinge sag. We diagnose both panels together since French door issues are relational, but the repair itself may only involve adjusting or fixing the one panel causing the misalignment.
Do French doors let in more heat than a single door in Houston?
Not inherently, as long as both panels seal correctly and the glass is properly rated for the climate. Most heat and air leakage issues on French doors come from a failed seal or misalignment rather than the door style itself.
Can French doors be retrofitted with better weatherstripping without a full replacement?
In many cases, yes. If the panels and frame are still in sound structural condition, upgrading the weatherstripping and adjusting the hinges can meaningfully improve the seal without the cost of a full replacement.
Do you offer French door repair near me in Houston?
Yes. Done Right Houston works throughout Houston and the surrounding neighborhoods, so if you’re searching for French door repair near me, we’re already covering your area. Call or fill out our form and we’ll confirm your neighborhood and get you scheduled.
Can French doors be installed with obscured or decorative glass for privacy?
Yes. French doors can be fitted with obscured, frosted, or decorative glass panels instead of clear glass, which is a common choice for bathroom or home office applications where some visual privacy is wanted without giving up natural light. We can talk through glass options during your estimate.
What's the difference between French doors and a French patio door?
French doors typically refers to hinged, swinging door pairs, whether interior or exterior, while a French patio door often describes a similar-looking exterior pair designed specifically for backyard or patio access. We install and repair both, and can discuss which fits your specific opening and use case.
Schedule French Door Installation & Repair in Houston Today
That gap at the meeting edge isn’t going to close itself, and a stuck deadbolt only gets more frustrating with time.
Done Right Houston repairs and installs French doors properly — treating both panels as one system so they work together correctly.
We start with a free, no-obligation estimate. We’ll inspect both panels, explain what we find, and give you a clear written price before any work begins.
Most repairs can be scheduled within a few days, and small fixes often sooner.