What’s the difference between inswing vs outswing French doors?

The difference between an inswing French door and an outswing French door is the direction the door opens. An inswing French door opens into a room. An outswing French door opens toward the outside of a home.

Are outswing French doors safe?

Yes, French doors are safe. Marvin Replacement French doors feature a multi-point locking system.

How do you secure French doors?

Our outswing French patio doors lock in four spots. They lock at the top and bottom of the door, plus a deadbolt and a keyed cylinder at the door handles.

How to change inswing French doors to outswing?

It is possible to change inswing French doors to outswing French doors but it’s not as simple as reversing the hinges, like some people think. Outswing French doors and inswing French doors get designed specifically for how they function. Turning an inswing French door around is not a good idea because it won’t have the same features to defend against exterior elements, like an outswing French door. It’s best to have a professional install an outswing French door tailored to stand up to weather.

How to keep outswing French doors open?

If you want to keep outswing French doors open, you can always use a door stop to prevent the door from blowing closed.

How to secure outswing French doors?

You can secure outswing French doors with things like security hinges, a door barricade, or a security bar. Consult your French door manufacturer prior to adding security features to see if it will void your warranty. Marvin Replacement Outswing French doors feature a multi-point locking system where the door latches in four different spots.

OUTSWING FRENCH DOORS

Exterior view of a white Marvin Replacement Exterior Outswing French door.

Interior view of a white Marvin Replacement Outswing French door.

Marvin Replacement Outswing French doors are a traditional French style door that open outward from your home. An outswing French patio door, built with Ultrex ® fiberglass, can help you save indoor living space and improve your indoor-outdoor living.

French doors, sometimes referred to as hinged doors, feature a wider bottom rail profile and a more traditional look. French doors come as one, two, or three doors that swing open and can add elegance to a patio door.

MARVIN REPLACEMENT OUTSWING FRENCH DOOR FEATURES

Traditional design appeal
Stainless steel multi-point locking system
Wider profile
1, 2, or 3 panel configurations available
Fits openings up to 9-feet wide by 8-feet high

Line Break

Get your project started by booking a free appointment with one of our design consultants.

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WHY CHOOSE MARVIN REPLACEMENT OUTSWING FRENCH DOORS?

Strong Frame Material

Ultrex fiberglass is 8x stronger than vinyl doors to resist warping and shifting to protect your home.

Exceptional Stability

Ultrex expands 87% less than vinyl to resist leaks + seal failures for patio doors that open and close easily.

Easy Operation

Terrific for hot weather climates where you need to get in and out quickly to keep the heat out. Doors open outward to prevent interference with furniture.

Elegant Hardware

Choose between our graceful Cambridge collection hardware or our sleek Northfield collection for door handles.

Exterior view of a Marvin Replacement Outswing French Door.

Outswing Exterior French Door Design Options

Outswing French Door Styles

Custom-built Marvin Replacement Outswing French doors look great when used to open up to a patio or deck from a living room, dining room, or a bedroom. The curved design of the handles add soft lines to a room and they can help bring in more natural light to unlighted areas of your home. Outswing French patio doors come in one, two, or three panel configurations.

French doors are easy to operate and don’t need routine cleaning of the sill, like sliding patio doors. They can create a tighter seal to prevent air leakage and can lock with keys.

Selected: One-Panel Outswing French Door

White Marvin Replacement one-panel exterior outswing French door.

View of an opened two-panel Marvin Replacement Outswing French door.

View of a three-panel Marvin Replacement outswing French door with the middle door opened.

Exterior Colors

Our finish stands up to the elements, so much so that 48,000 hours of sun can't fade our finish* and our fade-resistant acrylic finish resists scratches, chalking, chipping, denting, and peeling. Choose from seven stunning exterior colors for your hinged patio door.

Selected: Stone White

An example of a Sierra finish option for Marvin Replacement windows and patio doors.

An example of a Cashmere finish option for Marvin Replacement windows and patio doors.

Example of a Pebble Gray finish color for Marvin Replacement windows and patio doors.

An example of a Bronze finish for Marvin Replacement windows and patio doors.

An example of a Bahama color finish for Marvin Replacement windows and patio doors.

An example of an Ebony finish color with Marvin Replacement windows and patio doors.

Exterior side of a Marvin Replacement Inswing French Door with a Stone White finish.

Marvin's Ultrex fiberglass finish is verified to the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) 624 specification. Achieving AAMA 624 verification means that our Ultrex finish has passed rigorous tests that simulate the harsh conditions a finish can encounter throughout the life of a window or door.

*Average sunlight exposure per 10 years

Interior Colors

We use the same tough acrylic finish on our four interior color options that we use on our exterior colors. You can also choose our stainable EverWood® finish for the look of wood without the maintenance.

Selected: Stone White

Interior side of a Stone White colored Marvin Replacement Inswing French door.

1. Sierra interior is not available with Ebony exterior

2. Bronze interior is only available with Bronze exterior

3. Ebony interior is only available with Ebony exterior

Finish samples are approximate. Schedule a design consultation for an up close view of color options.

Glass Coatings

Our experts will walk you through energy efficient glass options to find the right selection for your home and the best patio door for your space. Our insulating glass has an argon gas fill between the panes for energy efficiency. Choose from four glass coatings, plus decorative glass options, and specialty glass choices.

Low E-1

Primarily used in colder climates, Low E1 allows more heat in to warm a room while blocking heat loss.

Low E-2

Low E2 offers year-round performance in moderate climates. It will help retain heat in your home during the winter and keep heat out during the summer.

Low E-3

Low E3 rejects solar heat while letting light in, resulting in increased performance in climates with intense sun exposure.

Low E-3/ERS

Low E3/ERS provides maximum efficiency year-round in all conditions.

Selected: Low E1

Decorative Glass

Decorative glass options are ideal to balance natural light and privacy.

Selected: Glue Chip

Example of Marvin Replacement Gray Tint Decorative Glass

Sample of Marvin Replacement Green Tint Decorative Glass option.

Example of Marvin Replacement Bronze Tint Decorative Glass.

Specialty Glass

We offer specialty glass to best suit the needs of your home. You can choose tempered glass, laminated glass, and STC/OITC glass for specific doors and rooms.

Tempered Glass

Tempered glass increases glass strength to help prevent breakage.

Laminated Glass

Even more durable than tempered glass, laminated glass is often referred to as impact resistant or safety glass due to its vinyl inter layer that tends to remain in place when shattered. Patio doors often feature laminated glass.

STC/OITC Glass

Sound Transmission Class and Outdoor-Indoor Transmission Class glass has increased pane thickness on the room side and works in areas where exterior noise is a concern.

Divided Lites

We offer various divided lite patterns so you can replicate the look of your original windows and doors—or add new architectural interest to your home. Choose from Simulated Divided Lites for classic appeal or Grilles-Between-the-Glass for easy cleaning. Outswing French Doors can have a Prairie pattern or a Standard pattern.

Selected: Grilles-Between-the-Glass

Cutaway of Marvin Replacement Grilles Between the Glass

Cutaway of a Marvin Replacement window with Simulated Divided Lites.

A white Marvin Replacement Inswing French door with Prairie style divided lites and a Northfield style door handle.

A white two-panel Marvin Replacement Inswing French door with Standard Divided Lites and Northfield style door handle.

Hardware

Select door handles from our Northfield and Cambridge collections to match your home style. Our Northfield collection has contemporary style appeal while our Cambridge collection harkens to traditional design.

Selected: Satin White Northfield Collection

Marvin Replacement Stone White Door Handle

1. Sierra, Brushed Chrome, and Antique Brass not available in the Northfield Handle Collection.

Locks

Exterior outswing French doors feature a stainless steel multi-point locking system that secures the door in four locations for stability and security.

Selected: Multi-point Top Lock

Close up of a Marvin Replacement multi-point patio door lock on a door with EverWood finish.

Close up of a Marvin Replacement Multi-point patio door lock.

Close up of a Marvin Replacement patio door handle with a multi-point lock.

Sill and Weatherstrip

Our door sills can come as Bronze or Beige while weatherstrip can come as White, Beige or Black.

Selected: Bronze Sill

Marvin Replacement Outswing French Door with Bronze finish and Bronze door sill.

Marvin Replacement Outswing French Door with Sierra finish and Beige door sill.

Outswing French Door Maintenance

To clean an outswing French door sill, wash with a mild soap and water solution. Should you need to remove your door panels, contact the Marvin Replacement team for instructions or have a technician come to remove the panel.

A women uses an Allen wrench to adjust a French door hinge.

OUTSWING FRENCH DOOR DESIGN + OPERATION

Our outswing French doors swing out from your home to help you maximize indoor space. They lock securely with a multi-point locking system. Outswing French doors bring style and natural light to spaces that can benefit from sunshine. Outswing French door have a classic design that can fit in every home.

A traditional French-style door available in 1, 2, or 3 panels that swing open toward your outdoor space.
Our multi-point locking system gives you a sense of safety and security. Enjoy the timeless design of a wider profile.
Each Marvin Replacement Outswing French door is made with Ultrex fiberglass for timeless design and performance, so you can enjoy your doors for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

The difference between an inswing French door and an outswing French door is the direction the door opens. An inswing French door opens into a room. An outswing French door opens toward the outside of a home.
Yes, French doors are safe. Marvin Replacement French doors feature a multi-point locking system.
Our outswing French patio doors lock in four spots. They lock at the top and bottom of the door, plus a deadbolt and a keyed cylinder at the door handles.
It is possible to change inswing French doors to outswing French doors but it’s not as simple as reversing the hinges, like some people think. Outswing French doors and inswing French doors get designed specifically for how they function. Turning an inswing French door around is not a good idea because it won’t have the same features to defend against exterior elements, like an outswing French door. It’s best to have a professional install an outswing French door tailored to stand up to weather.
If you want to keep outswing French doors open, you can always use a door stop to prevent the door from blowing closed.
You can secure outswing French doors with things like security hinges, a door barricade, or a security bar. Consult your French door manufacturer prior to adding security features to see if it will void your warranty. Marvin Replacement Outswing French doors feature a multi-point locking system where the door latches in four different spots.

Added Assurance

Marvin Replacement windows and patio doors come with a limited lifetime warranty as well as a 5-year installation warranty to provide additional peace of mind.

Marvin Replacement Warranty

Looking for More Patio Door Information?

Discover more about the benefits of Marvin Replacement patio doors and more for your home.

Exterior view of a Marvin Replacement Sliding French door.

Patio Door Buying Guide

Find out things to consider when you're searching for the right patio door for your home.

Patio Door Buying Guide

Exterior view of a white Marvin Replacement two-panel Sliding Glass Patio door

Indoor-Outdoor Living Ideas

Want to expand or transform your indoor-outdoor living? See what you should consider including.

Indoor-Outdoor Living Ideas

Schedule Your Free Consultation

Interior view of a Marvin Replacement Bi-fold patio door. opened in the middle.

If you’re ready to get started, discuss your replacement window and door options with a Marvin Replacement design consultant. We’re here to answer any questions you may have, and help make your project easy.

Schedule your consultation