Single vs. Double Iron Doors: Which Should You Choose?

Iron doors of all kinds are an investment you won’t regret, but when you go to buy one, it’s a little more complicated than just grabbing the first iron door you see.

With countless styles and features available, it helps to start by narrowing your focus. One of the first key decisions you'll face is the choice between single vs double iron doors.

If you’re new to door designs, we’ve put together this complete comparison to help you pick the perfect iron doors for your home based on a variety of factors.

The Difference Between Single and Double Iron Doors

First, let’s make sure you have a good understanding of what each option is.

A single iron door is just like the normal entryway doors you’re used to. It’s one door that swings on a hinge. It just so happens to be made of iron in this case.

A double door complicates things. It’s two doors that open on their own hinges. They open away from each other, and when you close both of them, they form one closed entryway door.

Both designs have their pros and cons.

Single Doors are Easier to Install

Single iron doors are easier to install than double doors. For the most part, they’re standard doors made with a different material than your usual hardwood or aluminum door. That’s it. They go in the same way, and they operate the same way.

For the vast majority of homeowners, a single iron door installation is a simple matter of switching out the original door with no more than six screws and a little time installing the knob and lock hardware into the same spots the old stuff was.

In comparison, a double door requires you to effectively double your work during the hanging phase, and you have to ensure that the locking mechanisms are installed properly to join the doors together when they’re closed. It’s not extremely complicated, but it is more work.

Double Iron Doors are More Luxurious

Iron doors exude beauty and strength regardless of their design. There’s just something about the material that harkens back to a vintage era and so effortlessly elevates your home’s aesthetic. Iron doors are like using a traditional French press for your morning coffee compared to your run-of-the-mill coffee brewer.

However, we can’t deny that double iron doors take that sense of luxury and vintage beauty, and they ramp it up a notch.

Double iron doors make your entryway look extravagant, and it feels like you’re walking into a Victorian mansion.

Single doors are luxurious, but it’s not the same experience.

Single Iron Doors are Less Expensive

A single iron door is going to be a lot cheaper than a double iron door set. This is pretty straightforward. A double door takes twice the materials and craftsmanship, is harder to ship, and since they’re less common, there is less of a market for them.

So, if you’re on a budget, a single door setup is usually going to be the better option. We’ll talk about that more shortly.

Three Things to Consider When Choosing Between Single and Double Iron Doors

Beyond considering those pros and cons, there are three core factors you need to really take a deep look at before you settle on a decision.

1. Your Budget

Your budget is a major consideration for any purchase you make. Your choice of an iron door is no different.

Like we said earlier, a single iron door is always going to be cheaper than a double iron door. The only potential situation where that’s not the case is if you go with the cheapest, lowest-quality double iron door possible and compare it to a higher-quality single door.

So, if the budget is tight, you will likely want to go with a single door.

However, it’s not always that simple. There are door options in various price ranges for both categories. If you really want a double iron door, you don’t have to be rich. Just take a look at different models, and be prepared to spend a little more of your budget than you would with a comparable single door.

2. Space

Space is a huge deal. Most main entryways are set up for a single standard door. By default, you likely won’t have space for a double iron door. That’s nothing a sledgehammer and a good contractor can’t handle by expanding the entryway, but that’s not always an option.

Depending on the space around the doorway, you might not be able to extend the doorway without sacrificing other, more important, parts of your home.

What if the kitchen is right on the other side of a wall next to your main entrance? Expanding the doorway could eat into your kitchen space.

Take that sort of detail into consideration.

3. Your Preference

You can’t undervalue your personal preference. This is your home. Ultimately, you have to live with the decision you make. The good news is, wrought iron doors never go out of style.

It might be worth saving for a little bit to afford the more expensive option, or you might want to talk to a design professional to see what all your options are before you decide for yourself.

It’s not the end of the world to pick the door that wasn’t your top choice, but make sure you’re not going to make a decision that you’ll want to go back and redo a year from now. Take the time now and get a door that you’ll love for many years to come.

Where to Get Your Iron Door

When it comes to choosing between single vs double iron doors, the right choice depends on your layout, budget, and the kind of statement you want your entryway to make.

Whether you’re drawn to simplicity or inspired by grand, architectural flair, there’s a design for every preference and budget.

Luxe Iron Doors offers a wide selection of high-quality iron doors along with custom railings, gates, and tailored design services to bring your home’s exterior to life.

And if you’d like a little visual inspiration, we invite you to browse our Before & After gallery to see the stunning transformations for yourself.