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French Door Installation Cost Calculator2026

Estimate interior or exterior French door installation cost by door type, number of openings, glass package, opening work, hardware, trim, and old-door removal.

Project Details

Total Estimated Cost

$3,861

Cost Breakdown

French Door Unit(s)$1,837
Opening Work$349
Hardware$250
Trim & Finish$499
Old Door Removal$180
Installation Labor$746
Cost per Opening$3,861

Cost Distribution

French Door Unit (48%)
Opening Work (9%)
Hardware (6%)
Trim & Finish (13%)
Old Door Removal (5%)
Installation Labor (19%)

Data sources: Base costs derived from national industry cost surveys and contractor pricing data, adjusted with BLS inflation indices, Census housing/income signals, and FRED CSV fallback when BLS data is temporarily unavailable. Latest index refresh: July 2026.

Disclaimer: Estimates are approximate and for informational purposes only. Actual costs vary based on project complexity, contractor rates, material availability, and local market conditions. Always obtain multiple quotes from licensed contractors before starting a project.

Typical Project Cost by French Door Type

National average pricing

Same default project size (default scope), priced across each material tier.

TierMaterial rateTotal projectInstalled per door
Interior hollow/solid-core pair$649$2,771$2,771
Exterior fiberglass prehung pair$1,597$3,861$3,861
Wood-clad exterior pair$2,395$4,779$4,779
Impact-rated exterior pair$4,192$6,845$6,845

Material rates reflect the latest BLS construction PPI adjustment. Installed totals include labor and supplies but exclude permits and any tear-out beyond the calculator's default scope.

Recent Cost Trends

Wholesale construction prices typically lead homeowner-facing quotes by 2–4 months. Use the trend below to decide whether to pull a project forward or wait for the next reading.

Residential Construction PPI — Trailing 12 Months

BLS series PCU236211236211, single-family construction producer prices.

200.9

+3.6% vs Jun 25

193195197200202193.8200.9Jun 25Aug 25Oct 25Dec 25Feb 26Apr 26

The PPI is the wholesale price of materials and labor that contractors pay, before margin. A rising index usually flows into homeowner quotes within 2–4 months. Use this trend to decide whether to pull a project forward or wait.

French Door Installation Cost by City

Browse all 202 cities by state
National Average

Alaska

Delaware

District of Columbia

Hawaii

Idaho

Maryland

Massachusetts

Mississippi

Nebraska

New Hampshire

New Mexico

North Dakota

Rhode Island

Vermont

West Virginia

Wyoming

Typical Cost Snapshot

For a typical french door installation scenario in the national baseline, this calculator currently models a total around $3,861, or about $3,861 per door.

This market is currently modeled close to the national baseline, so project swings are more likely to come from scope and finish choices than from regional pricing alone.

Local labor conditions, permit timing, and finish selection all influence how this project prices in your market.

Low / Mid / High Project Scenarios

Low Scenario

$1,569

$1,569 per door

Single interior French door pair with standard glass, existing opening, basic hardware, and light casing touch-up.

Mid Scenario

$3,866

$3,866 per door

Single exterior fiberglass French door pair with Low-E glass, jamb adjustment, standard lockset, trim, and old-door removal.

High Scenario

$22,117

$11,058 per door

Two impact-rated exterior French door openings with divided-lite impact glass, widened openings, multipoint hardware, and custom finish work.

What Changes the Estimate Most?

  • Interior vs exterior French doors is the first major cost split because exterior units require thresholds, sealing, flashing, and weatherproofing.
  • Glass package multiplies the unit cost quickly, especially for divided-lite, Low-E, and impact-rated door pairs.
  • Opening work is the biggest labor swing: replacing an existing unit is straightforward, while widening a wall or converting a window can add structural framing.

When This Calculator Is Less Accurate

This calculator is less accurate when the project includes structural beam engineering, water-damaged exterior framing, masonry/stucco opening rebuilds, historic custom millwork, or hurricane-rated assemblies with local product-approval requirements beyond a standard residential French-door install.

Use the result as a budgeting starting point, then validate with local contractor quotes if the scope includes specialty materials, hidden damage, or permit-driven design changes.

How Much Does French Door Installation Cost?

French door installation typically costs $1,200-4,500 for an interior or standard exterior replacement and $5,000-10,000+ for impact-rated exterior doors, widened openings, or wall-to-door conversions. Door material, glass package, structural opening work, and weatherproofing details drive most of the spread.

Cost Factors:

  • Interior French doors are much cheaper than exterior prehung pairs because they do not need thresholds, sill pans, weatherstripping, or exterior flashing
  • Low-E, decorative divided-lite, and impact glass add cost because the upgrade multiplies the door unit price
  • Existing openings keep costs predictable; widening an opening or converting a wall/window to doors adds framing, header, and finish work
  • Multipoint locks, flush bolts, premium hinges, and security hardware add per-opening cost
  • Exterior trim, sill pans, flashing, paint, and flooring transitions can make finish work a major line item
Frequently Asked Questions (3)
How much does French door installation cost?

Interior French doors often cost $1,200-2,800 installed. Standard exterior French doors commonly run $2,500-5,500 installed, while impact-rated or widened-opening projects can reach $7,000-12,000+.

Are exterior French doors more expensive than sliding doors?

Often yes for the same opening size, especially when the French doors use multipoint hardware, divided-lite glass, or impact-rated panels. Sliding doors usually cost less for wide openings, while French doors offer a more traditional look.

Do French doors need structural work?

Not if the new prehung unit fits the existing rough opening. Structural work becomes likely when widening an opening, converting a window to doors, or installing doors where there was previously a solid wall.

Data sources & methodology

Estimates blend national base costs, the BLS residential construction PPI, regional and direct metro CPI series, BLS OEWS state labor wages, and U.S. Census ACS housing signals. Market data refreshed July 2026. Expect ±15–30% spread vs an actual contractor quote.

Read the full methodology →