Double French doors can be surprisingly confusing if you have never used them before.
Many people think the lock is broken when the real issue is simply not knowing the correct sequence to lock or unlock both doors.
In this guide, I’ll walk through how these doors work and explain the common mistakes that cause people to think something has failed.
Watch the full walkthrough here:
How Double French Doors Work
Double French doors often use a primary active door and a secondary inactive door.
The inactive side commonly uses top and bottom flush bolts that secure into the frame. The active side then locks into the secondary door.
If the sequence is done incorrectly, the doors can seem jammed, difficult to lock, or appear broken even when everything is functioning normally.
Common Reasons People Think French Doors Are Broken
- Locking the doors in the wrong order
- Flush bolts not fully engaged
- Doors shifting slightly over time
- Hardware becoming loose
- Misalignment between both doors
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