When choosing hardware for French doors, differentiating between door types that divide rooms and those that open onto an outdoor space is important. Adding security bolts and keyed handles to the latter would make sense, but not to the former in most cases. You should decide whether you prefer levers or knobs as well as the best finish to complement the style of your home.
Shiny brass French door hardware tends to suit traditional decors, while modern ones are usually better enhanced by nickel or another silver-toned metal. A glossy silver-toned finished can look dramatic, while a matte nickel gives a more subdued sense of coolness in a room. Black hardware for French doors is often both dramatic and versatile with many different home interior looks. Bronze, white or antique-finished hardware can be the ideal look if you have antique furniture or a romantic or rustic home decor theme.
When choosing a hardware finish, consider the color of your doors and how much you want the metal pieces to stand out. For instance, black hardware on white French doors is going to look dramatic, while silver-toned pieces are going to have a more blended, subtle appearance. If you prefer the hardware to blend in as much as possible, choose it in the same color as your French doors.
As for the style of French door hardware, either knobs or levers can work well for handles. The choice is mainly based on the look you want in your home. While cut glass knob hardware for French doors can look old-fashioned and romantic, most other knobs are metal. You can add interest with shape and texture though as some are more funnel-shaped while others are sphere-like. In general, knob styles suit traditional decors and lever handles are ideal touches for modern homes, but carefully consider what would look best in your room.
An important thing to remember when looking for lever handles for French doors is to consider the direction they point. You'll need to get a set of two lever French door hardware that point outward rather than inward. Usually this is not much of a problem to find though since they may be sold in a set, or in hulk in both left and right options.
If you have French doors that lead outdoors, such as to a patio or back door area, adding a security bolt along with a keyed knob or lever can be a good idea. Discuss your options with an expert who understands door types as well as security measures to find the best choice for you. Have accurate measurements with you when shopping for all kinds of hardware for French doors.