Hard to know what would work better with the style of your house without seeing the house.

Regardless, the 4 door arrangement would lead people to step out onto the stoned area of the patio in addition to the concrete which might be a trip hazard...would you be planning on changing the patio in the future?

Annie -- You don't miss much ... the patio is a disaster right now! The concrete slab is offset to the Doorwall -- why ... I do not know.

I (alone) added that little slate apron to extend the surface for now and the stones can be reused by a professional. Eventually, I would like an entire stone/slate patio or a simple low-level deck to step onto. Here is the back of the house ... if it helps. Last photo taken in early spring before clean-up.

Thanks for responding too!

I don't think you gain anything by going with a center parting four panel configuration. I would just go with another triple.

Thanks Palimpsest -- that is my "gut feeling" but I keep second-guessing myself.

I have double sliders (four panel... Andersen)

The downside of going to four is.... more seams for possible air leaks, more locking mechanisms to fiddle with, more site lines blocked.

The upside of four is if you want/need that larger opening size... do you see yourself leaving the doors open to join the inside/outside space? Do you need a big opening to move furniture at times? I love being able to get fresh air quickly since our opening is quite large... but you should still get that with 4 ft.

edited to add: our double slider has three locks... it comes standard with just one, but you can add one to the bottom of each door for added security...

This post was edited by lolauren on Sat, Jun 8, 13 at 1:26

We have the Anderson 4 panel slider. The two inner doors slide open to give us a nice large opening. The door is well made and there's only one lock. It's the door we use whenever we need to move furniture in or out and it makes bringing in the 15' Christmas tree a breeze.

However for you home I think the three panel door would look better. Ours opens into our great room so we have a 2 1/2 story elevation.

Thanks LoLauren & Maire -- you folks got me thinking. I am concerned with the look of the additional sashes with a 4-panel as I'm used to the sashes where they are now. Also, the opening I have now is suitable for furniture moving.

MMMmm. See, now I have no screen at all -- so this door is always closed. I'm desperate for air flow as we have no central air. Maybe I'm overcompensating wanting such a large opening because I've had to live with this thing closed for a year. And, in the Winter -- I close these heavy weighted plastic-backed god-awful curtains to stop the draft.

Alright -- its Saturday morning at 6am -- I'm taking the curtains down NOW and going to the Door Store as soon as they open. I'm 90% sure the 3-Panel will be purchased.

Thanks for the appearance vote in that direction Maire!

And, thanks for mentioning the fussing with the lock LoLauren -- while that wouldn't be a problem ... you got me thinking about having two screens closing in the middle ... and I have two dogs ... two screens for them to ruin versus one. :)

Update!

I purchased a Sunrise Sliding Patio Door -- 3 Panels, each 4 Feet Wide. So excited.

This door is gonna change my life. :) Thanks again all.