"As I understand it, there is to be a 1/4" nailing strip installed on each side, for a total of 1/2" for each dimension, which is why the rough dimension is quoted as 1/2" larger." That is not the reason for the rough opening being 1/2" larger. You need to look at a window. The nailing strip is actually a 1 1/2" +/- flange that overlaps the rough opening and is nailed to the sheathing so the gap between the window frame and the framing does not have to be exact or perfect. The framer will treat the specified R.O. as a minimum and try to make it as square and level as possible. A slightly larger opening is not a problem. You only need to tell the framer the R.O.'s and the only reason to modify them is if you wanted to use a sill pan or another kind of sill flashing that required more space. A long span over a set of windows might require a larger gap at the head for future deflection. Adding to the specified manufacturers R.O.'s can result in redundant increases in the final opening size so such increases are better shown in a note in the window schedule with an asterisk at the R.O. for the appropriate window. Many designers have gotten into the habit of showing a frame size on the elevation drawings. That is OK for vinyl and fiberglass windows and perhaps clad wood casements and awning windows but for many double-hung windows the frame size is not an even dimension (windows sizes are a function of standard glass sizes) and varies a lot between manufacturers. The solution is to pick a manufacturer and put everything into a window schedule. If the manufacturer is changed all of the R.O.'s will have to be changed.

marti8a- We have 2 sets of aluminum clad, low e, argon filled sliders and a set of the same outward opening french doors, all by Eagle (now owned by Andersen, but independent when we purchased them 8 years ago). They all operate easily, close securely and have no air infiltration, we are in NNY and have wind, cold and snow and have never had a problem. While I like the look of french doors better, we chose sliders in two our of three locations because we wanted screens on the doors, we don't have or want A/C, so screens are on the doors are a must for us. The one french door we have will someday open onto a small sunroom/conservatory (hopefully), that's why we chose a set of french doors in that area. Eagle, as well as the other well known manufacturers, have lots of options on the interior; primed, painted, stained, different wood species, hardware options, etc. We rented a house with vinyl sliders when we were building and I would not recommend them at all, they didn't work well, ice built up in the channels and the cold air poured in seemingly from the entire opening. I strongly prefer the wood interior and aluminum clad exterior, but overall I would get the best ones you can afford, good doors and windows pay for themselves in the form of lower energy costs. Good luck- sandyponder

I always prefer them on the rail. However! What he is saying has merit!!! One of the biggest complaints I hear a few years down the road is that the waste basket pullout starts to not close tightly anymore. Sometimes this is due to the torque the unit experiences every time you open it. Having it down a little more puts less strain on the unit. I did a kitchen for a client a few years ago and her contractor installed it just like yours. So both locations are definitely appropriate options. Your decision. Here is the photo of the kitchen I did where the client's GC did the same thing. He also did the same thing on the spice pullout by the range. It's really a personal choice. Maybe live with it for a while and see?

It might help if you post some pics of your exterior and what your vision for the interior is. If you look at Mediterranean styled exteriors, living rooms, etc. on this site, there is a ton of leeway on trimwork. What you've chosen could very well fit your envisioned style or it might not. I would think leaning more transitional than modern would be a better fit, though. For instance, I love this Mediterranean style: https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/il-nostro-sogno-pj-vj~2678422 I think your chosen trim profiles *could* work with something similar ^^^.