I’m planning on building a backyard summerhouse in the spring. I want to make the entire front of it (12′ across)french doors. Patio doors are really expensive — anyone know of cheap french doors that I can use outside? I’m really tempted to try the french door slabs at Home Depot, but I realize they will swell, crack and fall apart after a year. Just don’t want to pay $1,000 for a fiberglass door when it’s something I’m only using 6 months out of the year. Thanks for your advice.
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Replies
Steel doors, with whatever windows you want.
Last time I bought a 6-foot double, it was WAY less than a grand.
But doing a 12-foot wall in any kind of glass will hit the budget hard.
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Have you considered designing in a large deep overhang?
One of the nice things about them is that you can use the area for nice times of the year.
The rest of the time it will protect your investment.
Just bought a 5 ft exterior French door from
Lowe's. It was about $360.00. Not gonna find it
any cheaper than that.
A couple of months ago I put a 6ft Jeld-Wen steel french door in my shop - just under $400 at HD. A decent door for the money.
-Norm
Consider using as part of the 12 ft windows instead of doors. e.g. fixed windows that either go clear to the floor or start say 18" up. They would give the same appearance (assuming you design them right) and open feel for the wall. Also consider the style where only one door opens, the other is fixed.
Two sets of french doors seems to be a bit much unless you have a specific need for 4 doors being open. Much of the time, you may not need or want such a thing.
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