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An interior French door should last you anywhere between 30 and 50 years, while an exterior French door unit will last around 15 to 30 years on average. Exactly how long your French doors last depends on the quality of the materials you choose, with vinyl doors lasting far less time than fiberglass, metal, and clad-wood doors. Upgrading to shatterproof glass can also improve the lifespan of exterior French doors.

A well-installed storm door in good condition can increase your home's value. This upgrade is more than just an aesthetic change; it adds functionality, security, and insulation that can appeal to buyers. While it may not significantly raise the sale price on its own, a storm door improves curb appeal and can help attract more potential buyers. However, a shabby or poorly maintained one could have the opposite effect.

While not strictly required, it is highly recommended to shim both sides of a door. Shimming both sides allows you to make minor adjustments for wall framing that isn't perfectly plumb, ensuring the door is level and hangs evenly. This practice helps the door swing open and close smoothly, reduces the chances of the frame warping, and can be used to center the door within the wall opening. If you are working alone, you may find it easier to remove the door slab to lighten the weight while supporting the frame and inserting the shims. With two people, the process is generally faster and easier, whether the slab is left in place or not.

French doors can seal better, so a good quality, well-insulated French door will be more energy efficient than the best insulated sliding door. That’s because there’s no way to totally seal a sliding door and still allow it to slide past the jamb effectively.