You want a home that feels elegant, light filled and quietly luxurious, without tipping into showy. The right double doors can do exactly that.
Whether they are welcoming guests at your entrance or opening from your living room onto the garden, double doors instantly change how a space feels. They bring more natural light, better airflow and easier movement for family life and entertaining
Instead of heavy, ornate units, today’s double doors can offer a slim, minimalist look that suits modern and contemporary homes.
Table of Contents
A Simple Guide to the Main Double Door Styles
Double doors are two adjoining door panels set in a shared frame. Both panels can open independently, or one can act as a fixed leaf while the other operates as the active door. The term covers several configurations, from hinged French doors to wide-span sliding and stacking systems, so the style you choose depends on your opening size, how you use the space, and the look you want to achieve.
What is a double door called?
The answer depends on how the doors open. A set of two hinged panels is most commonly called a French door. When both panels slide along a track, the configuration is called a double sliding door. When multiple panels fold and stack against one wall to create a fully open span, the term is stacking or bi-fold doors. All of these are double doors in the broad sense: two door panels sharing a single frame or opening.
Here are the 4 main styles you are likely to come across:
- French doors
- Classic, with multiple glass panes
- Ideal for patios, balconies and smaller courtyards
- Double sliding door
- Two large sliding panels that overlap
- Great where you want wide openings but have limited floor space
- Stacking doors
- Multiple panels that slide and stack to one side
- Perfect when you want to almost erase the wall between inside and outside
- Double front doors and exterior double doors
- Two hinged doors in one double door frame
- Add drama and curb appeal, and make it easier to move prams, bikes, furniture and shopping in and out
With modern double door designs you can often mix styles, for example combining fixed side panels with a central double sliding door for a broader, more frameless view.
Design Rules for Luxury Feeling Double Doors
The quiet luxury look is all about restraint and quality. With double doors, this usually means clean, straight lines, generous glass areas and slim, well proportioned frames.
Consider the following 4 design rules:
1. Materials
Aluminium double doors are ideal when you want:
- Slim profiles that do not feel chunky
- Excellent durability in coastal or high sun areas
- Minimal maintenance compared to a wooden double door that can swell or warp over time
Natural timber such as teak or oak can be beautiful, but usually needs more care and is less suited to very large spans.
2. Colour Palette
Stick to classic neutrals like white, charcoal, black, bronze or refined grey. Additionally, dark frames can make the garden or pool area feel like art.
3. Hardware
Use minimalist, integrated hardware that almost disappears like slim levers, flush pull handles on a double sliding door, and matching finishes across doors and windows.
4. Lighting
Add warm feature lighting around the double door frame, for example:
- Slim wall lights on either side of your entrance
- Recessed lighting in the soffit above patio doors
Where Double Doors Make the Biggest Impact
Some positions work especially hard for both beauty and practicality.
- Entrances: Double front doors boost curb appeal immediately. Combine clear glass, obscure glass or side panels for the right privacy and security balance
- Living and entertainment areas: A double sliding door or stacking aluminium double doors from lounge to patio create true indoor outdoor flow. Ideal for homes with pools, decks or covered braai spaces, where you want the family to move easily between zones
- Kitchens: Kitchen double doors that open to a courtyard, herb garden or braai area make everyday living smoother. Pair with louvre windows nearby for constant cross ventilation while cooking
- Bedrooms: French style double doors from the main bedroom to a balcony or garden give a boutique hotel feel, especially with sheer curtains and warm lighting
Practical Checks: Size, Price, Energy Efficiency and Maintenance
A little planning upfront helps your investment in double doors feel considered, not impulsive.
Size and Proportion
- Think about the height and width of the opening in relation to your facade
- Visualise scale by comparing to a typical double garage door size, then imagine something slimmer and taller for your front entrance
Standard double door sizes in South Africa
Most standard double door openings in South Africa measure between 1500 mm and 1800 mm wide, with a height of 2032 mm or 2134 mm. These are the sizes you will most often see quoted by suppliers and used by builders for typical residential applications.
That said, aluminium double doors can be manufactured to custom dimensions, which is one of their key advantages over off-the-shelf timber alternatives. Wider spans are achievable with sliding or stacking configurations, where individual panel widths can be scaled to suit larger openings without compromising structural integrity. If your opening falls outside standard sizing, a specialist manufacturer will measure and fabricate to fit.
As a useful reference point: a standard double garage door is typically around 4800 mm to 5000 mm wide. Entrance and patio double doors are considerably narrower, but applying the same principle of proportioning the door width to the wall and facade helps you judge what will feel balanced.
Price Considerations
Double door prices in South Africa vary considerably depending on the factors below. Aluminium double doors tend to sit in a different price bracket to timber, reflecting the difference in material properties, longevity and manufacturing process. As a general guide, a standard aluminium double hinged door starts from roughly R9,000 to R12,000 for the unit alone, with installed prices rising as size, glazing specification and configuration increase. Stacking and larger sliding systems command higher prices, particularly when double glazing or specialised hardware is included.
The most useful thing to know upfront: get a like-for-like comparison. A lower unit price that requires frequent maintenance, repainting or early replacement will cost more over time than a well-specified aluminium alternative that needs only occasional cleaning.
- Overall size and configuration
- Style, such as French, double sliding or stacking
- Glazing choice, including clear, tinted, Low E or double glazing
- Hardware, colour and special finishes
Aluminium vs timber double doors: a quick comparison
| Factor | Aluminium double doors | Timber double doors |
|---|---|---|
| Frame profiles | Slim, modern lines | Chunkier, traditional profiles |
| Maintenance | Wipe clean, no repainting | Regular sealing or painting required |
| Coastal suitability | Excellent | Needs careful species selection and more frequent care |
| Custom sizing | Readily available | Available but can add cost and lead time |
| Glazing options | Full range: clear, tinted, Low-E, double glazed | More limited by frame depth and weight |
| Longevity | Very high with minimal input | High if well maintained |
| Aesthetic | Clean, minimalist, contemporary | Warm, classic, traditional |
If you are already looking at double garage doors for sale as part of a full exterior refresh, it often makes sense to consider your entrance and patio doors at the same time. That way, finishes and colours can be coordinated.
Energy Efficiency
- Modern glazing and high quality seals limit heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter
- Upgrading from older, poorly sealed doors or outdated louvres can noticeably improve comfort and help manage energy use
Maintenance
- Aluminium doors needs simple cleaning and basic checks, no sanding or repainting
- Timber offers warmth but usually needs regular sealing or painting, especially in coastal or high sun environments
The Right Provider Helps You Get It Right
You do not have to finalise your double doors alone. A specialist works with you, and with your architect or installer, to refine:
- The right style for each opening
- Frame profiles, material and finish
- Glazing choices, hardware and how the doors align with your windows
Before you brief your installer, download our free Doors Guide to explore design ideas, typical sizes, price factors and planning tips for double doors in your home.
Frequently asked questions about double doors
What is the standard size of a double door in South Africa?
Standard residential double door openings are typically 1500 mm to 1800 mm wide and 2032 mm or 2134 mm tall. Aluminium systems can be manufactured to custom sizes when your opening falls outside these ranges.
How much do double doors cost?
Entry-level aluminium double hinged doors start from around R9,000 to R12,000 for the unit. Sliding, stacking and larger configurations, or those with premium glazing and hardware, will cost more. Installation, frame preparation and finishing are additional. The best approach is to request a specification-based quote rather than comparing headline prices alone.
What is the price of an aluminium double door?
Aluminium double door pricing depends on size, style, glazing type and colour finish. A standard hinged aluminium double door in a classic colour like white or charcoal is the most cost-effective starting point. Tinted or double-glazed units, and larger sliding or stacking systems, sit at a higher price point. Contact Inso for a quote based on your specific opening and requirements.
What is a French door?
A French door is the most recognised style of double door: two hinged panels that open outward or inward from a central point, typically featuring full-height or divided glass panes. They work well on patios, balconies and bedroom access points where you want elegance and a wide opening without the footprint of a sliding system.
