Finding the Right Hardware for Interior French Doors

Choosing the right French door hardware for interior doors can be tricky. The design of French doors often makes installing door handles a little more complex, especially if you need them to lock. If you’re not familiar with the different functions of these doors, it can feel overwhelming to figure out which pieces you actually need. But that’s where we come in! In this guide, we’ll walk you through the basics so you can pick the perfect hardware for your interior French doors.

Choose the Best French Doors for Your Space

The first step in picking hardware is thinking about how you’ll use the doors. The function matters just as much as the look. For example, if your French doors are for a closet, you probably don’t need locking hardware. Decorative handles will do the trick! But if the doors are for a bedroom, office, or any space where privacy matters, you’ll want to go with handles that lock.

There are two main types of functioning handles:

• Passage Handles – These work just like regular knobs or levers, but don’t lock. Perfect for closets, pantries, or rooms that don’t need privacy.
  
• Privacy Handles – These include a push/turn button to lock the knob or lever in place. Great for bedrooms, bathrooms, or offices where you want extra security.
  

Active Doors vs. Inactive Doors

Most French doors are designed with one active door and one inactive (stationary) door. The active door is the one you use every day. It has a functioning handle or lockset. The inactive door is there for looks and extra width when you need it, but it stays put most of the time. To keep the inactive door in place, you’ll need a locking mechanism like a flush bolt or surface bolt. When you want to open both doors, you simply unlock the bolt on the stationary door. This setup gives you the best of both worlds: the convenience of a single, everyday door and the flexibility of a wide, double-door opening when needed.

Flush Bolts and Surface Bolts: What’s the Difference?

Here’s where things get a little more detailed. To secure the inactive door, you’ll need either a flush bolt or a surface bolt:

• Flush Bolts – These are built right into the edge of the door, so they sit flush (hence the name). They’re sleek, subtle, and keep the hardware hidden from view. Flush bolts can be installed at the top (ceiling side) of the door, the bottom (floor side), or both.
  
  • Top-mounted flush bolts (ceiling side): These are less noticeable and don’t require drilling into your floor. Perfect if you want a cleaner look.
  • Bottom-mounted flush bolts (floor side): These secure directly into the floor for extra stability. Just keep in mind you’ll need a drilled hole in the threshold or floor to make it work.
    
    
• Surface Bolts – These mount on the face of the door and are a little more decorative. If you want something that adds a bit of detail or matches your existing finishes, a surface bolt might be the way to go. They’re also easier to install since you don’t have to cut into the door edge.
  

Both options keep your inactive French door locked in place. It just comes down to whether you prefer a hidden look (flush) or a decorative one (surface).

Door Levers and Dummy Handles for French Doors

Not all French doors need two functioning handles. In fact, it’s pretty common to have at least one dummy handle—a handle that doesn’t actually turn or latch but still looks the part. This way, you get the balanced look of handles on both doors without needing both sides to function. If your doors are accessible from both sides, though, you’ll need handles on each side. That usually means buying two sets of handles (four total). If you’re going with lever handles instead of knobs, remember to choose the correct handing—left-handed and right-handed levers—to match each door. For more on how to order handlesets for double doors, check out our blog.

French Door Hardware Made Easy

We hope this breakdown makes shopping for French door hardware a little less intimidating. From choosing between passage and privacy handles to deciding how to secure your inactive door with flush or surface bolts, there are plenty of options to fit your needs and style. And remember—you don’t have to figure it out alone! If you’ve got questions, our team is always here to help.