Blog>Expert Advice>What to do when your French doors won't close
Last updated: 10 February 2025
What to do when your French doors won't close
French doors are brilliant for giving us direct access to the garden. But what happens when you have French doors that won’t close? Keep reading to find out…
If you’ve noticed you can’t close your French doors properly, it’s time to fix the problem.
We’ve put together this guide to help you understand what might be causing the issue. We also look at what you can do to fix it. Let’s get your French doors working again…
5 common reasons why French doors won’t close
One of several causes could be stopping your French doors from closing properly, including:
Crooked doors – If your French doors are new then this could be due to poor installation or, for older doors, it may be due to wear and tear on the hinges
Warped doors or frame – Over the years the constant change of temperature can cause French doors to shrink and expand and end up out of shape
Rusted or stuck parts – In winter, French doors tend to get less use, which can cause hinges and other moving parts to rust or stick
Stiff lock – If French doors get little use or water gets into the doors it can cause the lock to become stiff and hard to use
General obstruction – The cause could be something as simple as an object being stuck in the frame or attached to the doors, stopping them from closing
How to fix French doors that won’t close
To fix your French doors that aren’t closing properly, you first need to locate the issue with the doors. Then, once you know the problem you’re dealing with, you can take the relevant steps to fix the problem.
Poor installation – Speak to your installers and ask them to come and inspect the doors and fix them (if you installed them yourself, re-read the manufacturer’s installation guide)
Loose hinges – You may just need to tighten the hinges or, if the screws don’t tighten, replace them with new screws (larger, if needed)
Warped doors – It might be worth removing your doors to plane the edges and rehang them
Misaligned doors – Crooked doors can often be fixed by adjusting or replacing the hinges so that the doors hang properly
Rusted hinges – If your French doors won’t close because their rusted hinges won't work properly, then you’ll need to replace them with new ones
If none of the above approaches fixes the problem, get in touch with an experienced local French door installer.
Professional French door specialists will have the tools, skills, and know-how to fix your French doors for you.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
What to do if your patio door won’t lock
If your patio doors close easily but you can’t lock them, you’ll want to fix them as soon as possible to keep you and your home safe and secure.
To do that, you’ll need to focus on the locking mechanism. The most likely causes for your patio doors not locking include:
Something is obstructing the door frame – In which case, remove the obstruction and repair any damage
You have crooked patio doors – Often this is due to how the doors are hanging. Tightening the hinges or adjusting the opening mechanism should help
The locking mechanism is blocked or stuck – Check the lock for any blockages, remove anything you find, and apply a lubricant spray
The lock is failing – Common with older doors, if your lock mechanism has failed then you’ll need to replace the whole lock
You have a damaged key – Sometimes it’s not the door that’s the problem, it’s the key. If that’s the case, you’ll need to get a new key cut
Related content: Read our expert guide - What to do if your patio doors won't lock.
How much does it cost to repair French doors?
The cost of repairing French doors will depend on the type and extent of the issue you’re dealing with.
As a rough guide, you can expect to pay the following costs for common repairs:
New door handle – £55 each
Replacement door seal – £16 per door
New door hinge – £14 per door
The labour costs for a patio door specialist are usually around £40-£80 per hour.
If you have uPVC French doors, learn more about prices in our guide to uPVC door repair costs.
Cost of replacing French doors
If your French doors are beyond repair then you’ll need to replace them.
On average, the cost of replacing patio doorsin the UK is in the region of £1,500-£2,500.
On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.
Find the best French door experts near you
When it comes to finding the best French door repairers in your area, you’re in the right place.
Checkatrade members undergo up to 12 checks so that you can be confident you’re hiring a reliable tradesperson.
To find the right tradesperson for the job, read our guide to finding the best door fitters near you.
Ready to find a French door specialist in your area? Enter your postcode in the box below to browse a list of approved local French door specialists.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job