Sliding glass doors?

[POINTER94]

I have to replace my sliding glass door going to my deck. I went shopping and the window/door salesmen were more like used car salesmen than technical resources.

Does anyone have experience with a brand that they would recommend? My wife wants the shades between the glass feature and not all brands seem to offer this.

Also is this something that a couple of better than handy guys could do without too much problem. I don't want to go cheap and end up with leaks that will cost me more in heating bills than the price of professional installation. The contractors that Depot and Lowes contracts to have the WORST reputations in this area. I have yet to talk to a person satisfied with the work performed by any of their contractors. My neighbor has a friend who could do it, and has an excellent rep of 25 years working on said neighbors house. But it looks like about $450 to do it. I could buy alot of stuff with that cash.

Thanks in advance.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Sliding glass doors?

Don't know 'bout now, but Pella used to be the gold standard.

 

[tommays]

Re: Sliding glass doors?

I have had nothing but good luck out of Anderson

From a DIY point its a pretty easy job if the opening does not need to be resized


Tommays

 

[DJ]

Re: Sliding glass doors?

I've never had issues with Pella or Anderson.

 

[DJ]

Re: Sliding glass doors?

I've never had issues with Pella or Andersen.

 

[stevieray]

Re: Sliding glass doors?

Do you absolutely want to stay with sliders? If you go with swingers you have some more choices (especially with the in-glass shades)& I think they just seal up better than any slider.

 

[crunch]

Re: Sliding glass doors?

I have had nothing but good luck out of Anderson

From a DIY point its a pretty easy job if the opening does not need to be resized


Tommays

Even if the hole has to be resized it's no big thing... yell and I'll walk you through it.

The biggest mistake most make with windows and doors is to just use caulking to seal between the siding and window/door... use putty tape and screw the flange instead of nailing, then seal with caulk, trim it, then caulk the trim to the siding and the window. If it leaks then it’s because your house is under 20' of water. 8)

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Sliding glass doors?

Stevie, Yep got to use the slider in this application. Would prefer the french exterior door but space is limitied and the slider works better.

Thanks, Pella seems to offer the shades and Anderson does not. I must say that the prices are all over the board from 600 to 1600 dollars. 600 I do today, 1600 into layaway. :/

Crunch I might just take you up on the offer.

 

[DJ]

Re: Sliding glass doors?

Pointer,

Whatever it takes, DON'T scrimp on the deal. If you can, by any measure, go with french swing outs. They are NO maintenance.

I've installed too many sliding door rollers and track renew kits to count. Sliders are a maintenance nightmare.

Blinds beside, who has to maintain this monster???

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Sliding glass doors?

Yea, I hear you DWJ. I have this facing the NW which in Wisconsin is where the worst storms come from. But the swing out French doors just won't cut it in this application. I am looking at the Pella brand and it looks like the door itself could cost upwards of $1600. :%

But if it holds up it is worth the extra cash. The layout of the home just won't work with the space available or provide convenient access to the deck. The enclosed blinds don't seem like that big of a deal to work with.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Sliding glass doors?

Pointer, just did this last year.
Previous door was a sliding vinyl Weathershield brand. BAD. Wood framing rotted.
Yes, there were water issues that contributed to the rotting, but it was a very cheap door to start with.

New door is from HURD. hurd dot com
One stationary panel, one swinging door panel.

Fiberglass frame- no warp-no rot.
Wood interior, aluminum clad exterior.
Stainless hardware throughout.
Three hidden internal latches (at eye, waist, and knee levels) to prevent any warping and they double as locks when the latch is thrown.

I love this door.
Ordered it from the factory.
Cost was about $1400, including screen, and lock set.
Then they found a blemished unit in the warehouse and offered it to me for $850.

We had a very involved install, as the original hole in the wall was out of square, and undersized, and the sill plate and studs below the door were all rotted.

It took a real carpenter, and myself, 16 hours to install, then I did the trimming myself.

We've got 3 window and door manufacturers in town, and about 20 within 40 miles of here.
People around here buy the HURD.

I don't know if the offer the blinds.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Sliding glass doors?

Marvin are better in my opinion then Anderson. Anderson will not make a custom door where for about 200 dollars marvin will make one to match your rough opening. Here in Minnesota contractors have either Anderson or Marvin. Rough opening is key. You get that part right and installation is pretty easy. You need to let whoever you order the door from know if your house is 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 and if there is build right or plywood under the siding and the thickness of it.. You will need a gutter for the top and if it walks out onto a deck you will need to flash the bottom so water runs away from the house. Get a book at your library and you should do okay. Another thing is if you go with pine interior you will want to make sure you urathane it at least three times. Even the best window or door will condense a little. If you can make it work have the inside done with vinyl white paint from the manuafacturer. It holds up real well to condensation.