Can you replace the sliding doors with a set of French doors? That would make it look more like entrance doors.

I was going to suggest the same thing -- replace with french doors -- or a single door with two sidelights.

I'd feel strange entering someone's home through sliders and not an actual door. As the others suggest, if the other location is better, replace with doors.

sky

I'd definately need a photo to see what you mean. The other day we drove by some duplexes that only had patio doors for the front door and remember remarking how weird it looked.

I saw HGTV's " What is My House Worth" recently where a couple had a few sets of sliders as their front entrance - they got the big arrow down - because it was confusing and not a designated entry from the outside.

I think I know what you are talking about doing. These areas are sometimes called vestibules (sp?) or air locks. They are used a lot on Victorian homes in our area and are (or used to be) in the parts of the country that are extra cold and snowy in the winter. I've also seen home remodels in mags where they have added a smallish enclosed porch to the front to create this effect.

If this is what you are looking at doing, then it could be a great idea! I do agree that the slider should be exchanged for a set of french doors. Would you still be entering into the front hall? Or will the new entrance lead you directly into a room? If that is the case then the old front door/hall area could become a very awkward area.

Just be sure that whatever you do makes it clear to visitors which entrance is to be used. If you are just adding on a vestibule to the front, then this won't be a problem! I saw that episode of "House" and that woman had 2 sets of french doors opening onto one open deck that was her porch. There was NO idea which door you were to use.

syllabus has it right--we would be adding an exterior vestibule to whichever entrance we decide should be the main entrance. The "new" entrance would lead directly into a room (too bad), but the existing entrance does, too. It's a relatively small, very casual house, and there is no front hall.

It's interesting to see how many people want to see French doors instead of sliders. Why is that? We have a lot of mosquitoes to contend with, so any door that opens must have a screen. Wouldn't French doors require screens on both sides, whereas sliders require just one screen? As far as total glass, aren't sliders about the same as French doors? So what are the advantages, particularly in mosquito country?

Thanks for all the ideas!

lynnski, isn't your house old? I'm having a hard time visualizing what you're describing, but regardless, if it's an old house I would add the vestibule but not change the front door at all and I would get rid of the slider altogether.

lynnski, to me, walking into a house through sliders seems like I'm in their backyard and walking back into the kitchen - definitely not the feeling of walking into a front door. I think it is the formality of a front door versus informality of sliding doors. If mesquitos are a problem, why not have a single door with glass side lights to fill in the rest of the space. I think the reason people were suggesting french doors is that they are often an option to use instead of sliding doors.

I think doing something that is so unexpected as sliders instead of a more traditional front door can devalue a property. I do think you're doing the right thing by moving the front entrance to a better location - so you just need to follow through and make it truly a definitive front door. I don't mean to come down hard on you - I just don't know how to say it in a diplomatic way.

Sky

Hey bungalow--yes, my house is old, and a bungalow style, even. But we recently bought a second house; it's on a lake, and it's very casual. It's a 20-year-old modular home, and there are actually 3 sets of sliders. So I'm trying to understand what the rage is for French doors. I'm into a fairly modern look for this second home, BTW.

skypathway, you can hit a lot harder than that! It's not that I'm in love with sliders. I can imagine the entrance you must be picturing: Straight from the dirt yard, through the sliders, to a kitchen that's littered with doritos bags, hair curlers, cigarette butts and a coupla bud lights. Maybe there are some chickens in the yard?

Sorry I scared y'all!

Whew. Had me scared there for a minute! :)

In that setting, I don't think it would be a problem (though again, I can't really envision what you're describing.)

Lyn: Either the slider or french doors would be fine for the informal "formal" entry into your home. In my head I was picturing a very nicely constructed, shingled like the house, full view glass and wood front door vestibule that you would enter and then be faced w/ a slider. Depending on what size the vestibule was, you would have to turn to the right or left to open the slider. Not very elegant or practicle. More "back door" stlyewise than "front door" IYKWIM! In my head the french was just a more elegant enterance to your home... open the vestibule door, shed your muddy boots and proceed thru the single like-opening french.

But now that I know this is a very casual home... it makes sense that you want to keep what you have... which should work fine for you.

The thing that has me puzzled is the skeeter problem. You enter the vestibule thru a screen or normal door (now I'm wondering which you mean to have). Then you have the screen for the slider/slider itself. Doesn't the vestibule door negate the need for the screen of the slider?? Or will the vesibule be all screened or open windows where you will need the screen of the slider to catch the breeze?

I also live in skeeter country and do realize that you can never have too much protection! LOL!

I would check with your insurance company to find out if there are any terms in the papers that specify what a main entrance needs to involve - it may matter if there are certain types of locks, for instance, which you may not be able to retrofit to sliders. French doors (that don't 'come' as entry doors) may not be adequate at all weather-wise, safety-wise, etc. etc.