I had to make a similar decision this year. My builder tried to talk me out of French doors for no reason that I could understand. It seemed that he just preferred to install sliders. But after trips to two showrooms and a home show, I insisted on Andersen outswing French doors, which were my original preference. IÂm happy with the result. They close securely, no drafts. (I live in New England.) With outswing doors I lose no space indoors. It was worth the extra money to have the ability to open both doors to the uncovered deck. Screens will probably be more expensive if you install outswing doors, and you need to choose them carefully. For inswing French doors, Andersen has an integrated set that includes the screens.

I have used both Anderson and Pella. With in the last year we installed Pella windows and patio doors. We used Pella to match up with other windows and doors which we had installed 8 years ago. Current Pella production does not even come close to what we had previously bought. In fact it was down right disgusting! Four service calls in two months and still issues. If you can use it, Anderson makes a great french patio door which seals like no tomorrow! We have used them on two different houses. In fact during a hurricane a few years ago, the river came over it's bank and literally splashed against the door, no leaks of any kind. From current experiences I would use Anderson over Pella any day. Have never used Marvin, but understand they make a quality product. Paul

Paul I will give you advice from personal experience. I am not personally familiar with the brands you mentioned but I installed 4 French doors in my home 5 years ago and they have been a headache ever since. I have yet to finish up the area (tile cut backs) since they were installed. My suggestion to you, whoever sells the door have them install them. That way they are fully responsible. I purchased my doors from big box and had a contractor install them. There was no issue with the install however they tried time and time again to point the finger but it was shoddy manufacturing on their part. So do yourself a favor..... cut out any possible middle person.

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