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French doors installed into a house still under construction

Overview

French doors are a great way to add style and let light into your home. You can also create a link between your indoor and outdoors. We'll show you how to carefully install some French doors with the help of a couple of mates.

Steps

1Measure for the door jamb

On the floor, measure and mark 10mm past the stud work on both sides of the door. This will allow enough room for plasterboard to be fitted. Use the spirit level to draw a straight line between the two marks. 

2Cut the floor

Set the circular saw to a depth that doesn't cut into the joists below. With your safety equipment on, cut along the line you've marked out with a circular saw. 

3Finish the cut with a hand saw

The circular saw is hard to completely cut-out the floor, so use a hand saw to finish the cut. Knock the floor out with a hammer and chisel, and then tidy the corners up with a chisel.

4Install the flashing

You need to install flashing along the stud for waterproofing. Cut the flashing to length and use the staple gun to attach it to the joists. Make sure it goes up and over the floor and up the stud.  

5Install the frame

Have someone help you lift the frame for the French doors into place. Then drill four pilot holes on either side of the frame.

6Check the frame is sitting straight

Use your spirit level to make sure the frame is sitting straight. Then use packers to adjust the level if you need to. Also make sure you have left a 10mm gap for the plasterboard.

7Secure the doorframe

Get someone to help you hold the doorframe in place. Then use the cordless drill to drill screws into the four pilot holes on each side of the door.

8Remove the door screws

Use the cordless drill to remove the door screws from the top and bottom of the doorframe.

9Lift the doors into place

You will need two people to help you lift the doors into place. Put some packers at the base of the doorframe. This will give the door something to sit on and protect the frame.

10Attach the door to the doorframe

Line up the door hinges with the holes in the doorframe. Use your cordless drill to attach the door at the top and the bottom. Repeat Steps 9 and 10 to attach the other French door.

French doors being secured into place by a Bunnings team member with a power drill
Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer.