A French window is a tall, glazed opening that comes down to the floor, so you can walk through it like a door. It usually opens onto a balcony, terrace or garden, and it lets in far more light than a regular window. If you are collecting French window design ideas for a new home or a renovation, this guide explains what the term means, the sizes commonly used in Indian homes, the main types, and how to plan one room by room.
What Is a French Window?
The French window meaning is simple: a window that starts at floor level instead of sitting on a sill. Traditionally it has two glazed shutters hinged at the sides that meet in the middle. In India the term is used more loosely, and people call almost any floor-length glazed opening a French window, including sliding versions.
The difference from a French door is mostly about use. A French door is the main way into a room. A French window opens onto an outdoor space such as a balcony, and is there as much for light and fresh air as for access.
French Window vs Normal Window
| Point | French Window | Normal Window |
| Starts at | Floor level or a low step | A sill, usually 2.5 to 3 ft above the floor |
| Height | Usually 7 ft or more | Around 3 to 5 ft |
| Daylight | Much more | Moderate |
| Walk-through access | Yes | No |
| Privacy | Needs curtains or frosted glass | Easier to manage |
| Safety glass | Strongly recommended | Optional for small panes |
Because the glass comes right down to the floor, a French window needs more thought about safety, privacy and rainwater than an ordinary window.
Common French Window Sizes
There is no single standard, since every opening is measured on site, but most French windows in Indian homes fall into a familiar range:
- Height: about 7 ft (2100 mm), so the top lines up with the doors in the same room. Homes with high ceilings sometimes take the glass up to 8 to 10 ft.
- Width: around 4 ft (1200 mm) for a compact two-shutter window, 5 to 6 ft for a typical living room, and 8 ft (2400 mm) or more for three or four shutters.
- Bottom step: on open balconies, a low upstand of roughly 4 to 6 inches is common to stop rainwater running inside.
Very wide openings are better split into several shutters, or a fixed panel plus opening panels. Large single shutters get heavy and put extra load on hinges and rollers.
Types of French Window Design
Hinged double shutter. The classic look. Two shutters meet in the middle and swing open, giving the full opening for air and access. It does need space to swing.
Sliding French window. Shutters slide on tracks, so nothing swings into the room or onto a narrow balcony. This is the most popular choice in apartments, and a third track can hold a mosquito mesh shutter.
Slide and fold. Panels fold and stack to one side, opening almost the whole width. Our guide to types of folding doors explains how these systems work.
Fixed sides with an opening centre. Fixed glass on both sides and opening shutters in the middle keeps the weight down while giving a wide view. See our fixed glass windows.
Tilt and turn. The shutter tilts inward at the top for ventilation or swings fully open. It works well on high floors. Read more about tilt and turn windows.
With a top light. A fixed or openable glass panel above the shutters adds height and brings in light even when the curtains are drawn.
French Window Design for Living Room
The living room is where a French window makes the biggest difference. A few ideas that work well:
- Run the window across most of the wall facing the balcony, so the outdoor space feels like part of the room.
- Use slim frames and large panes for a clean, modern look. Our window design ideas post shows more slim-frame styles.
- Add a fixed top light if your ceiling is higher than the door height.
- Choose a frame colour that matches the balcony railing or main door so the facade looks planned.
Plan the curtain track at the same time. A ceiling-mounted track above the window looks neater than a rod fixed to the wall.
French Window Design for Bedroom
Bedrooms need a balance of light and privacy. Frosted or fluted glass on the lower part of the shutters blocks the view at bed height, while clear glass above still lets daylight in. Sliding shutters suit bedrooms with a small balcony, and a mesh shutter means you can leave the window open at night without letting mosquitoes in. If the bedroom faces a busy road, ask about laminated or double glass to cut traffic noise.
Choosing the Frame Material
Wood looks warm but needs regular polishing and can swell in the monsoon. uPVC insulates well but its frames are thicker. Aluminium allows the slimmest frames and handles large glass panels comfortably, which is why it is a common choice for floor-length openings. You can compare them in our posts on aluminium vs wood windows and uPVC vs aluminium windows. To see a ready range, have a look at Corinzo’s aluminium French windows.
Practical Tips Before You Install
- Use toughened or laminated glass for any pane that reaches the floor. It is far safer if someone walks into it. Our guide to window sections and glass types explains the options.
- Check that the bottom track or sill has drainage holes and slopes outward, especially on open balconies.
- Decide on grills early. Outside grills work best with sliding shutters; hinged shutters need the grill set back or fitted inside.
- Add a mosquito mesh shutter if you plan to keep the window open often.
- Have the opening measured after plastering is finished, not before.
If you are planning a French window and want help choosing the type and size, contact the Corinzo team.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the meaning of a French window?
A French window is a tall glazed window that starts at floor level and can be used like a door, usually opening onto a balcony, terrace or garden.
2. What is the standard size of a French window?
Most are about 7 ft high so they line up with doors, and between 4 ft and 8 ft wide depending on the number of shutters. Every opening is measured on site.
3. What is the difference between a French window and a normal window?
A normal window sits on a sill about 2.5 to 3 ft above the floor. A French window goes down to the floor, so you can step through it and it lets in much more light.
4. Can a French window be sliding?
Yes. Sliding French windows are very common in Indian apartments because they need no swing space and can take a mosquito mesh shutter.
5. Which glass is best for a French window?
Toughened or laminated safety glass, because the panes reach the floor. Frosted or fluted glass can be used on the lower part for privacy.
6. Is a French window good for a bedroom?
Yes, if you plan for privacy with curtains or frosted lower panels, and add a mesh shutter for ventilation at night.