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Discussion Forum

sliding or french

NathanL | Posted in General Discussion on December 9, 2007 04:47am

So the wife wants a set of doors installed where we now have windows and as we all know what the wife wants she gets one way or another.  My question is I hear that frenc doors are not a good idea on a north facing wall in Wisconsin.  I really dont care but want to get somthing good as we plan to stay in this house for many years to come so no leaks and no bugs would be nice. Does anybody have some good information I have looked at the company website but they are no help, most dont even talk about screens and we would have to get these because we live near water and the bugs will carry you away somedays.

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  1. Notchman | Dec 09, 2007 05:03am | #1

    I probably should keep my pie hole shut on this subject because I really hate sliders.

    And I love French doors. And like you, I prefer to keep them away from the weather side, especially if there is no porch roof or a partially enclosed porch or entry.

    However, on one custom  house I built about 4 years ago, the HO's really wanted french doors out to their deck in a very exposed area, so I installed outswinging Andersons with a custom made stainless steel sill pan.

    The house is on top of a ridge and really gets hammered in a big storm but the door has not allowed a drop of water inside.

    I like the Anderson latch system and their hinges allow easy alignment of the doors So when there is heavy weather against a nearly perfectly aligned door, the wind just helps the latches tighten up the weatherstrips.

  2. DanH | Dec 09, 2007 05:07am | #2

    Unfortunately, no one in the US (that I know of) makes doors like the seaside doors I saw in Norway. You'd think that someone would make a door (either sliding or French) that seals tight, but honestly your best bet is to put on a 3-season porch or some such to cut the wind/rain before it really assaults the door.

    If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
  3. ChitownCarp | Dec 09, 2007 05:13am | #3

    Pella makes a decent slider. The screen is on the inside, active slider is on the outside track, sheds water better and the inside screen keeps kids from running thru it, because you have to open it first before the door. Somewhat pricey though. Not to familiar with the french door probably locks and operates better and don't have to worry about obstructions in track not sure how the screen works if any.  that's all I know about them.  don't have one my self. Installed many no call backs. My brother in law has a Anderson slider never had any problem just went thru about 6 screens in 2 years. the rest of the guys will probably have some better info,

  4. User avater
    BillHartmann | Dec 09, 2007 06:02am | #4

    You have a 3rd choice.

    "Antrium" or "patio" doors.

    Those have a fixed panel and the working door is hinged to the middle of the door.

    .
    .
    A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
  5. alwaysoverbudget | Dec 09, 2007 06:33am | #5

    everything i have heard about true french doors is i can't afford a really good one so they get elimanated quickly.i have 3 swinging patio doors,looks like a french door but only one panel swings,pretty happy with them,they open and shut well and didn't cost 3k.

    i have always hated sliding doors,but at our cabin because of the floor space a swinging door would use i installed 2 -6' sliders that i would consider pretty high quality.i hate to admit that i really like them they work so smoothly.

    i'd just look at the floor space avairylable,budget and try and get the best i could afford. lar

    if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?

    1. User avater
      Matt | Dec 10, 2007 03:39pm | #9

      I think as a general statement, most new sliders are a far cry better they their 60s ancestors.

  6. User avater
    JeffBuck | Dec 10, 2007 04:51am | #6

    french doors look the best ...

    and it's way cool to think of having them open ... curtains blowing gently in the breeze ... as U sit there with a long island iced tea in hand ...

     

    but french doors are leaky.

     

    I think sliders seal better.

    I like Andersen sliders ...

     

    if I lived somewhere warmer ... might think different ...

    but with our Pgh winters ... I'd not install french at my own place.

     

    Jeff

        Buck Construction

     Artistry In Carpentry

         Pittsburgh Pa

  7. frenchy | Dec 10, 2007 05:27am | #7

    NathanL

        I have outswinging french doors on the North east side of my house.. Before that I had sliders..   with air pressure sliders leak too much air..  At least air pressure pushes my french doors tighter.

  8. mike_maines | Dec 10, 2007 03:13pm | #8

    Like Bill Hartman said, patio doors are a good option.  Sliders seal pretty well and don't take up floor space, but that sliding action is awkward to use at best.  True french doors are romantic but leaky.  Hinging one panel at the center of the door gives you the best of both worlds.  Seals as well as any swinging door (which is to say pretty well but not perfect), operates easily, and doesn't take up extra space when open.

  9. JTC1 | Dec 10, 2007 06:25pm | #10

    Consider Anderson Frenchwood doors.

    Sliding door but has more of the "look" of a French door.

    Obviously, you can never open both sides like a French.

    Not positive about air infiltration numbers but mine seems to seal tightly - lots tighter and operates much more easily than the aluminum '70's slider it replaced.

    Can be ordered with an interior face in stain grade or paint grade.

    Jim

    Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
  10. Jim_Allen | Dec 10, 2007 06:31pm | #11

    Everyone pretty much covered all your options. The only one left is probably the most energy efficient: storm doors.

    You can get a storm door for either the slider or an inswinging frech door. You probably are in the type of situation that dictates using one.

    Bob's next test date: 12/10/07

  11. GOLDENBOY | Dec 10, 2007 06:40pm | #12

    Have to agree with BillHartman.  We have a "garden door", one half operates like a window, with a screen, the other half is a door.  Ours is an outswing.  It works great.  No opening and closing a screen door, like a slider.  Good venting with the huge window (6'8" x 32").  It seals well, as the door half has 2 window latches that snug it down nicely. 

    I think common sense should tell us that a swinging door will seal better then a slider.  The weatherstripping on a slider has to be loose to allow the sliding action, whereas on a swinging door, the door actually compresses the weatherstripping, resulting in an optimal seal. 

  12. Dudley | Dec 10, 2007 08:52pm | #13

    I had a 9' opening -- Andersen 5' Frenchwood and a 1.5' side lite on either side -- south facing wall -- they are excellent -- lock and look great after 10 yrs - trying to attach a picture --  interior shot -- They are solid and install right out of the box -- Beleive they were $3500 or so -- they are worth every penny

    Might be too big if someone could help me out

     

    1. DanH | Dec 10, 2007 09:01pm | #14

      Not too big, just too docy for Unix.
      If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

    2. user-201496 | Dec 10, 2007 10:33pm | #15

      I had the Andersen Frenchwood sliding doors in my old home and was not impressed. The exterior is not clad but covered in a special paint that eventually will need to be re-painted.
      I really like the Certainteed French style sliding doors. All vinyl, they work and look great, and no painting.

    3. NathanL | Dec 10, 2007 11:05pm | #16

      Looks exactally like what she wants but of course a different color, I dont see any screens in the photo what do you have for that?  I looked at the anderson website but they only show a drawing of the screen layouts but no real photos.  I like to see what I am speanding my money on why dont these companys use a camera?

      1. Dudley | Dec 10, 2007 11:09pm | #17

        Interior can be pained any color -- the outside is the specail white cladding that should provide a life time of maint free benefits

        On the Screen - we decided to skip the screen -- however, there is a screen that can be incorporated in the french doors but it has to be installed when the door is installed -- I do not think it can be installed later -- you can call Andersen and they can assit

        1. NathanL | Dec 11, 2007 12:40am | #18

          I will try and make contact with our local dealer.  I like to get all the information I can before i go into a dealer just so I know what I really want and what they can do beofre I decide to purchase and regret it later.

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