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Emco Vs Larson Storm Doors

salbuild | Posted in General Discussion on February 23, 2007 03:07am

   I normally do historic restoration, but have been asked by an old customer to replace her Al storm door.  I have gotten conflicting recommendations from local lumber yards as to the quality of Anderson/Emco vs Larson storm doors. 

   Has anyone used both, and seen any difference in quality or ease of installation?  Or anyone lean one way or the other?  The two models are: Emco solid wood core Traditional or the Larson Lifestyle self-storing half screen.  She doesn’t want a full view door, and it’s a custom size- so limited on options. 

   Thanks up-front for any insight.

SAL

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  1. Shep | Feb 23, 2007 03:33am | #1

    one thing to be aware about with the Larson Woodcore- 

    I recently installed one, and the instructions included a warning not to install the door without some kind of roof to protect it from the weather. I think the wood in the door might rot if not protected.

    I installed this one on a door with a porch roof, so I was OK. 

    1. raymond128 | Feb 23, 2007 04:44am | #3

      Shep
      I have put in quite a few Larson doors and have not seen that warning..... But I may be guilty of not reading all the instructions either. After the first few doors you get the hang of putting them in so you don't really check out the instructions anymore.Next Larson door I get I will definitely check that out..thanks for the tip.Ray

      1. Shep | Feb 23, 2007 06:05am | #4

        I tend to skip the fine print, too.  In this case, my sales rep mentioned the caution to me. 

        When I ordered the door, he asked me where it was going to be installed, and told me about the disclaimer.

        Fortunately, I was good to go with this particular install. And its only the WoodCore series with the warning.

  2. raymond128 | Feb 23, 2007 04:41am | #2

    I have installed both

    so far so good with both brands but did have a job where i put in 3 larson doors that where a pain to put in. only for the fact that they required a 15/16 hole for the door knob. and the door skin was aluminum.
    the instructions said to use a spade bit..... they must be joking right?

    so i call Larson....... not much help but told me that i could use a cone bit.. I said a what??? after a couple moment back and forth I finnal figured out what kind of bit. went to HD and bought it... 20$ later. (sorry small venting session from days gone by)ooops:-)

    Other than that one time of misguided fustration i ve had little trouble with either brand.

    My only thought with any storm door is I personaaly do not like the self storing windows ( where the window goes down into the hollow bottom portion of the door.) They are flimsy

    Best of luck
    RaY

    1. salbuild | Feb 23, 2007 06:28am | #5

      Thanks RaY for the low-down on the doors.  Hadn't thougth about the ruggedness of the self-store window.  Older client, so not much house abuse, so, should probably be OK.  And, yes, in this application, it will also be protected by a porch roof. 

      How "complete" is the Emco unit?  Still have to assemble it like a tinker-toy, to the same level as the Larson?  I put in one full-view storm last summer and it took longer than I quoted.  Hoping this one will be faster, now that I've worked on one "tinker-toy" job.  I'm thinking that this door may be easier to handle, since there isn't the expanse of glass.

      Thanks again.  Still am not sure which one to order for her, or which way to sway her.  Would like, as always, to recommend the best, within the budget.

      SAL

      1. arcticcat | Feb 23, 2007 06:37am | #6

        SAL -  The Emco doors have to be assembled almost exactly the same as the Larsons.

         

        Mike

      2. raymond128 | Feb 23, 2007 04:15pm | #7

        Both doors assemble pretty much the same. Helpful hint. (if you don.t do it already) FWIW
        Remove any windows and glass whenever you can first before installing the door. If you are working alone like me most of the time it sure makes it a lot easier to hold the door while you put that first screw in place. Plus you don't risk damaging the glass. To respond to you other statement as far as how long it took to install the door. 1-2 hrs at best depending on if you need to tweek anything.
        If the exterior door is more current then it should have brick molding on it. Hence the install it pretty straight forward. (good thing to look for when you see the customer or ask them how old is the house/ the door). I charge more if i have to modify the door jamb to make a modern storm door fit their old set up.Best of luck & happy door hanging :-)Ray

  3. Thaumaturge | Feb 23, 2007 06:51pm | #8

    I've used several Larson doors and they have all failed between 9 mos. to 3 years.

    Had a warranty replacement on one Larson due to water getting behind the AL in the bottom section and swelling the wood core.  The second door did the same within about 18 months.

    Frankly, I'm not too impressed with Emco either.  Used one years ago that failed and led to my dance with Larson.

    I've had a Pella self-storing screen model in my unprotected west facing door for a couple years now with no issues.  The build quality seems marginally better than the other two.

    Installation on all the doors was pretty comparable.

    1. Geoffrey | Feb 23, 2007 08:09pm | #9

        ditto ,   both seem to have failures related to water intrusion behind the Aluminum...

        especially at the bottom rail

                                                    Geoff

    2. User avater
      boiler7904 | Feb 23, 2007 08:50pm | #10

      My wife is wanting a storm door installed this spring.  Since I don't have a place to store a large glass panel all summer or a large screen all winter, I want to install one that has the retractable screen for half of the vision panel.  My installation is similar to yours - West facing but there is a small (maybe 3') overhang at the door.

      Pella, Larson, and Anderson/EMCO are all available locally.  Sounds like you pick Pella first which is what I was leaning towards.  Since I've never installed one of these before, can you give any pointers on making the install easier? 

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