Going through the same thing myself.

I think the Pella Architect (Lowes 850) is the best of all hands down. I like the way it slides and closes. It feels solid and is easy to use. Number 2 on my list is the Anderson 400 series frenchwood. Solid feel just not my favorite although I am sure it is every bit as good as the Pella door.

I did not think the Marvin felt anywhere near as solid as the other 2. Windows on the the other hand, I like the Marvin ones the best.

I have no experience professionally just as a shopper. Let us know which one you install and what you think of it.

-terri

terri, thanks for writing...I haven't actually gotten to experience any of them, but we can't do the Pella ARchitect because we're going specifically for VG fir, and the Architect seems to be "wood" (I'm guessing pine or birch or s.l.t.), no further specification. It's hard to find a stain that would match the way VG fir ages naturally...but good to know how the door felt to you. Sounds like the Pella would be a choice before the Infinity, if we go with a non-VG fir inside...

flyleft, thanks for that info. You're so astute and informed. It's been a year and I still haven't acted on replacing this, but now we really need to and I found your great information through a forum search.

(ARRRRGGGGGHHHHHH loss of memory is such a painful thing)

flyleft-

Check out Eagle windows and doors, they have a doug fir interior option (for an upcharge, natch). However, their exteriors are aluminum clad, so this might not work for you. We have a set of their french doors with the doug fir interior and the wood is beautiful with a straight, clear grain. To be honest, it far exceeded our expectations, as I know how expensive and, well, dear, clear, straight grained doug fir is these days.

Let me know if you would like more of a close up of the wood grain.

Pic of door interior (and my kid):

Exterior aluminum cladding:

Here is a link that might be useful: Eagle Window website

Thanks, sandyponder! I'm going to see a Sierra Pacific rep today, and have now located the nearest Eagle rep to talk to as well. Don't love some aspects of Sierra Pacific, so it's great to have an alternative.

Do you recall where they came in relative to other similarly configured doors? And it sounds like you're very happy with the quality.

flyleft-

We're still under construction, so we haven't really used the door yet, but truly, the grain is stunning, so clear and straight, and the color is subtly red but not organgy.

The door with doug fir upcharge was $1600+-, the doug fir added about $700, but we realy wanted the look, as we will have a reclaimed doug fir barrel vault ceiling and got at auction (read: bargain) a single DF exterior door (goes on opposite side of LR) and 2 interior DF french doors that will go between LR and DR. We wanted DF flooring, but -ouch- we just could not swing the sf cost and went with larch, same color, but more movement.

Good luck, and let me know if you need more info.

sandyponder

sandyponder, thanks for the details. That is a good deal, to be *sure*! I went to the local Sierra Pacific rep on Wednesday; he took all the specs and told me he'd e-mail me with a quote for pretty much what you got except brown on the outside. He has never written me back. Maybe time to call him.

Where do you find auctions that have those kinds of things??? Do you go to them often? People find the most amazing things at auctions. I can tell you that reclaimed probably old-growth DF flooring goes for *quite reasonable* prices out here...no more than any other wood, and less than some...we're in the PNW, though.

Now that you've told me the price, I'm going to bug the SP guy...maybe he thought I wasn't serious or was just blowing me since we're just buying one door? I don't know...but that's at least $1K less than other similar doors. Hard to resist. If I can just get him to offer it to me LOL

*slaps self upside head* EAGLE, not Sierra Pacific!

O.K., I need to go to the Eagle showroom IF we can't get the door fixed, as I've now got reason to hope. (I somehow by sheer luck tracked down who handles the repairs/service for our 1978 doors--they honored whatever warranty must have been in effect and are sending us replacement parts for free...such a moment of humanity and decency there must be a catch somewhere)

Eagle looks great.