Last updated: September 18, 2026
What Are French Storm Doors?
A French storm door is a secondary exterior door unit — single or double — mounted outside a French door to provide weather protection, ventilation, and insect screening while preserving the visibility of the glass behind it. Standard sizes run from about 30 to 36 inches wide and 78 to 81 inches high for single units, and up to roughly 72 to 96 inches wide for double units. Because French doors are typically paired or hinged units, storm doors for French doors must be measured against the actual finished opening, not the nominal door size.
The distinction from a standard storm door matters more than most buyers expect. A conventional storm door covers one in-swing or out-swing entry door and is built around a single leaf. A French door storm door is designed around a pair of doors or a single French door with full-height glazing, which changes three things: the frame must be shallow enough to clear the door swing, the screen or glass panel must be sized to preserve the view, and the unit must be handed to match the hinge side of the door it protects.
How French Storm Doors Differ from Standard Storm Doors
Three functional differences drive the specification:
- Glazing ratio. French doors are mostly glass, so a storm door for French doors usually carries a full-view or near-full-view panel rather than a small window insert. This affects frame width and the amount of usable daylight.
- Handedness. French doors are handed — left or right — and the storm door must swing in the same direction or be configured as a surface-mount unit that does not interfere with the door’s swing arc.
- Mounting depth. French door frames are often recessed into a thicker wall assembly, so frame depth and mounting flange design become critical. A unit that is too deep will not seat against the trim; too shallow and it will not clear the door hardware.
Standard Size Ranges for French Storm Doors
French storm doors are not sold in a fixed set of stock sizes the way interior doors are. They are built around a small number of nominal ranges, then trimmed or custom-built to the finished opening. The ranges below reflect common industry practice for single and double units.
Single French Storm Door Sizes
A single French storm door covers one French door leaf. Typical width runs from 30 to 36 inches, and height from 78 to 81 inches. The most common nominal sizes are 32 x 80, 34 x 80, and 36 x 80 inches. Widths below 30 inches are usually custom, and widths above 36 inches generally indicate a door that should be treated as a double unit.
Double French Storm Door Sizes
Double french storm doors cover a pair of French doors. Width is the combined opening plus the frame, typically 60 to 72 inches for a standard pair, with larger openings running to 96 inches or more. Height follows the same 78 to 81 inch range as single units. The critical dimension is the total finished opening width, not the sum of two nominal door widths, because the center meeting stile and frame add width.
How to Measure for a French Door Storm Door
Measurement is where most sizing errors originate. The rule is simple: measure the opening the storm door will actually cover, at three points each way, and use the smallest dimension.
Rough Opening vs. Finished Opening
The rough opening is the framed gap in the wall before trim is applied. The finished opening is the visible opening after trim, siding, and thresholds are installed — this is the dimension that matters for a storm door. Measure the finished opening width at the top, middle, and bottom, and the height at the left, center, and right. Record the smallest width and the smallest height. A difference of more than about 1/4 inch between the largest and smallest reading means the opening is out of square, and that has to be accounted for in the order.
Measuring Frame Depth
Frame depth determines whether the storm door can mount without hitting the French door or its hardware. Measure from the face of the exterior trim to the face of the French door, and separately from the trim face to the outermost point of the door hardware — handles, deadbolts, and hinges. The storm door frame depth plus its mounting flange must fit within that space and still allow the French door to open fully. Most surface-mount units need roughly 1 to 2 inches of clear depth; in-swing and out-swing units need more because the leaf itself swings through the space.
Determining Handedness
Stand outside facing the door. If the French door hinges are on your left, it is a left-hand unit; if on your right, it is a right-hand unit. A single French storm door must match the hinge side of the door it covers so both leaves swing the same way. For double units, confirm which leaf is active — the one that opens first — because the storm door’s primary leaf and its latch must align with the active French door leaf. Getting handedness wrong is one of the few sizing errors that cannot be corrected on site without reordering.
Single vs. Double French Door Storm Doors: Sizing Differences
Single and double units differ in more than width. The table below summarizes the practical differences that affect specification.
| Attribute | Single French Storm Door | Double French Storm Door |
|---|---|---|
| Typical width (in) | 30–36 | 60–72 (up to 96+) |
| Typical height (in) | 78–81 | 78–81 |
| Handedness | Left or right, matches door | Active/passive leaf pair |
| Center support | None | Meeting stile or astragal |
| Mounting depth need | Lower | Higher (two leaves) |
| Common use | One French door leaf | Full French door pair |
The center meeting stile on a double unit is the component that most often causes fit problems. If the two French door leaves are not perfectly aligned, the storm door’s center stile will not seat cleanly, and the latch will not engage. Measure the gap between the two French door leaves at the top and bottom — if it varies by more than about 1/8 inch, the opening is racked and the storm door order should note it.
Screen and Glass Options for French Storm Doors
French storm doors with screens are the most common configuration because ventilation is one of the main reasons buyers add a storm door to a French door. The panel system falls into three categories:
- Fixed glass with a separate screen. The glass panel stays in place and a screen is stored or swapped seasonally. Simplest and least expensive.
- Interchangeable glass and screen panels. The two panels swap in the same frame channel, usually with a few clips or a slide track. This is the most common configuration for french storm doors with screens.
- Self-storing or retractable screen. The screen rolls into the frame or is stored in a pocket, so the glass and screen can be changed without removing panels.
Interchangeability affects sizing because the frame channel must be wide enough to accept both panels. A frame sized only for glass will not accept a screen insert, and vice versa. When specifying, confirm the panel thickness the frame channel accepts, and confirm whether the screen is full-view or partial.
Sizing Reference Table (Inches)
The following table gives common nominal configurations. These are starting points — every unit must be confirmed against the finished opening.
| Configuration | Nominal Width (in) | Nominal Height (in) | Frame Depth (in) | Handedness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single, narrow | 30 | 80 | 1–2 | L or R |
| Single, standard | 32 | 80 | 1–2 | L or R |
| Single, wide | 34 | 80 | 1–2 | L or R |
| Single, extra wide | 36 | 80 | 1–2 | L or R |
| Double, standard pair | 60 | 80 | 1–2 | Active L or R |
| Double, wide pair | 64 | 80 | 1–2 | Active L or R |
| Double, extra wide pair | 72 | 80 | 1–2 | Active L or R |
| Double, large opening | 96 | 80 | 1–2 | Active L or R |
Height is shown as 80 inches because it is the most common nominal figure; actual heights of 78, 79, and 81 inches are also standard and should be selected to match the measured finished opening. Frame depth is listed as a range because it depends on the mounting method and the wall assembly.
Common Measurement Mistakes
Most sizing failures trace back to a small number of errors:
- Measuring the door, not the opening. The storm door covers the opening, not the French door leaf. Measuring the leaf produces a unit that is too small.
- Using one measurement instead of three. A single width reading misses out-of-square openings. Always take top, middle, and bottom.
- Ignoring hardware projection. Handles and deadbolts can project 2 inches or more. If the storm door frame depth does not clear them, the French door will not open.
- Assuming handedness from inside. Handedness is determined from outside facing the door. Determining it from inside reverses the result.
- Forgetting the threshold. The bottom of the storm door must clear the threshold and any weatherstrip. Measure from the top of the threshold, not the subfloor.
- Overlooking the center gap on double units. A racked pair of French doors will not accept a standard double storm door without adjustment at the meeting stile.
Related Considerations
Several specification details sit alongside sizing and are worth confirming before ordering. A storm door for French doors is often sold as part of a french door storm door kit, which typically includes the frame, the glass and screen panels, hinges, a latch or handle set, mounting screws, and installation instructions. Confirm what the kit includes, because hardware is sometimes sold separately.
Mounting configuration is the other major variable. Surface-mount units attach to the exterior trim and do not swing with the door; in-swing and out-swing units are hinged and swing with the French door. Surface-mount units are simpler to size because they do not interact with the door swing, but they offer less weather sealing. In-swing and out-swing units seal better but require more frame depth and correct handedness.
For double french storm doors and double french door storm doors, confirm the active leaf and the meeting stile alignment. For french doors storm doors with screens, confirm that the screen panel is included and that the frame channel accepts it. Buyers specifying a french door storm door for a project should also confirm local building code requirements for egress and threshold height, since a storm door can affect both.
Specifying a French Storm Door Kit for a Project
Once the finished opening, frame depth, and handedness are confirmed, the remaining specification work is panel type, frame finish, and hardware. For project supply, the practical approach is to lock the nominal size range first, then confirm the customization points.
As a manufacturer, our approach at Jusen Door and Windows is to build the storm door around the measured finished opening rather than forcing a stock size. We offer full customization on size, color, glass, and hardware, and we adjust the profile structure and fittings to match the building codes of the target market. Before shipment, units go through air-tightness, water-tightness, and wind resistance testing, and we provide packing lists, proforma invoices, and full customs documents for FCL and LCL shipments. For buyers specifying a french door storm door kit across multiple units, this means the sizing data from the site survey can be translated directly into a production order without a second measurement pass.
If you are working through a sizing schedule for a project, send us the finished opening dimensions and handedness and we can confirm the configuration.
FAQ
What are the standard sizes for French storm doors?
Single units commonly run 30 to 36 inches wide and 78 to 81 inches high, with 32 x 80 and 34 x 80 being the most common nominal sizes. Double units run 60 to 72 inches wide for a standard pair, up to 96 inches or more for larger openings, at the same height range.
How do I measure for a storm door for French doors?
Measure the finished opening width at the top, middle, and bottom, and the height at the left, center, and right. Use the smallest reading in each direction. Then measure frame depth from the exterior trim face to the outermost point of the French door hardware, and confirm handedness from outside facing the door.
What is the difference between single and double French door storm doors?
Single units cover one French door leaf and carry one handed leaf. Double units cover a pair of French doors, require an active/passive leaf configuration, and include a center meeting stile that must align with the gap between the two French door leaves.
Can French storm doors with screens be sized to fit existing French doors?
Yes. Because these units are built to the measured finished opening rather than a fixed stock size, a screen-equipped storm door can be sized to an existing French door as long as the frame channel accepts both the glass and screen panels and the frame depth clears the door hardware.
What is included in a French door storm door kit?
A typical kit includes the frame, glass and screen panels, hinges, a latch or handle set, mounting screws, and installation instructions. Hardware and screen panels are sometimes sold separately, so confirm the contents before ordering.
How do I determine handedness for a French door storm door?
Stand outside facing the door. If the hinges are on your left, it is a left-hand unit; if on your right, it is a right-hand unit. For double units, confirm which leaf is active and match the storm door’s primary leaf and latch to it.
What frame depth is required for mounting a French storm door?
Most surface-mount units need roughly 1 to 2 inches of clear depth between the exterior trim face and the French door. In-swing and out-swing units need more, because the leaf swings through that space. Always measure to the outermost point of the door hardware, not the door face.
