Almost all door companies will not sell you a finished door. The door will typically be machine-sanded and then finished with a 120-grit sandpaper before shipping.

Finishing any wood brings out its richness while enhancing its natural beauty. The more practical side is that wood constantly adjusts to its environment. Finishing your wood doors will protect them from moisture, which can cause warping and other damage.

Here’s a suggestion for being able to sneak a peek at what your wood might look like after finishing:

Whatever company you have chosen for your French doors, ask if you can take home (or have shipped to you) several different woods in small pieces (usually referred to as corner pieces). These samples will show you the different grain patterns and will also allow you to experiment with different stains or paints to see how the wood will look when finished. Most all woods accept stain well; poplar is the ideal choice for painting.

Some companies offer sample kits for approximately $10. These kits contain samples of popular woods in thin rectangular pieces, but you will still have to sandpaper and finish them yourself.

Unfinished doors should not remain unfinished for too long. If you must hold off on finishing, make sure the doors are kept in a well-ventilated, clean, dry environment away from sunlight.
Do not store them in a garage or on concrete of any kind because unfinished doors should never be subjected to extremes of heat, cold, aridity, or humidity.

The lites (vertical side window panels that match the door lites) and transoms (a small window above the door) are extras that can add to the look of your French door. Be wary of companies that use a single lite that runs the entire length of the door and then utilizes snap-in or glue-on dividers.

More about French doors:

• French Doors main page
• Types of French Doors
• Painting and Installing French Doors
• Installing Bi-fold or Multifold French Doors
  
• French Door Materials & Construction
• French Door Lites
• Security for French Doors