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Home Decorating

Hihg-end storm doors

13 years ago

Can anyone recommend a high-quality, full-view storm door? We had Pells sliders and French doors in our previous homes and they were lovely; however, the exterior trim (aluminium, I believe) was very difficult to clean. I am hearing from friends that they are not happy with their Pella storm doors. Complaints from broken handles, door not closing tightly, and general complaints about poor overall quality.

I know Lowe's carries Pella doors, but our door is about 35-1/4 wide, not the standard 36, so the door will have to be custom-made.

Thanks.

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Comments (4)

User
13 years ago
The only thing I can suggest when you have yours made is to consider the type with a screen that rolls up when the window is closed. We have that and I love the way it works.
itltrot
13 years ago
I will caution you that whatever is purchased at Lowes would be a lumber yard grade and not necessarily of the best quality. Check with a company that specializes in doors.

I recommend looking into ProVia doors. I have one and really like it. Heavy duty but not cheap. They do offer ones that allow the screen to roll up in the door hidden. I have a full view with removable screen.
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I know it would look better with no storm, but with our winters I would worry a lot about the doors (especially the one with the glass) getting damaged. Also, screen doors in the summertime are a must so we don't roast! concrete, thanks for the link. I didn't know about this particular company, and it's always good to hear a testimonial from a happy customer! Sombreuil, those doors are drop dead GORGEOUS. They look really wonderful. I couldn't build a door myself (I wish!), but perhaps I could buy a very basic model and then dress it up like you did with yours. Columbusguy, thanks! When you say "full view" door, I assume you mean a door that's basically just a frame with no ornamentation or board in the middle, correct? To answer your question, the view from the side porch is currently of two long, wide porch shades that I purchased from Coolaroo, LOL. They are striped and they actually doesn't look too bad. The big Queen Annes on the next street over have similar shades on their porches so I figure if they can do it, then my little house can too. I think until I win the lottery and can buy the house next door to fix up, the shades are my cheapest, quickest fix for an unfortunate view. ;)
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dorry2
Original Author
13 years ago
Interestingly, itltrot, I thought the same - Lowe's would carry a builder's grade door, but I initially contacted our local Pella distributor and they even suggested going to Lowe's for a better price AND the same quality. I called their corporate office and was told the same thing. I will def look into ProVia. I have never heard of them, but I will check their website.

Re. the roll screens, I believe you need to have that horizontal bar that runs in the middle, right? If so, I do not want a horizontal bar in the middle of the door and would probably never use the screen anyway.

Thanks!
User
13 years ago
We got our door at Home Depot, the Anderson door company and while I can't say it's THE BEST door, I can say I feel like it's performing to our expectations and I tend to get pretty nit picky about the products we buy. We've had it about 4 years now and it looks and works just as well now as it did the day we bought it. I've provided a link to the one we got, only difference is ours is all brushed nickel hardware. I haven't found it difficult to keep clean but then again, it's under a covered porch and we have no little ones (or dogs) running around to help with the dirt factor. I wouldn't call it high end, but it wasn't the cheapest route either. I love the hiding screen.

Here is a link that might be useful: storm door.

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