Thanks for the input, handymac. Where are you finding the 80-inch door? I do find Jeld-Wen but what I find indicates it's the height that's 80 inches (or 96 inches is an option), with widths of either 60, 72, or 96 inches; I'm looking for a door with width of 80 inches which is a tweener... if you found one, please share the link? :] The header replacement is because the current windows are 80 inches wide. If we can't come up with a solution workable with a 72 inch door, may have to use a 96 inch door and that's where the new header comes in. The sidelight is an interesting thought - but is it secure to put a sidelight next to a sliding patio door with no wall between? (I can just see a burglar pushing on the frame between the two and voila, they're in my house.) Other than the header and the floor, what are they holding on to? (I'm not building savvy, it's all sort of creepy to me to be knocking down and tearing out and replacing). Thanks for your further consideration.

Oberon - I did a post with you in the title as I could not make this go through for some reason. This time it worked. Thanks for replying. The condensation is on the exterior of the inner window. There is no condensation inside the house and no condensation on the interior or exterior of the storm window. There is about a 3" gap between that large inner single pane window and the storm window Hubby caulked the outside of the storm window because of all the bugs that were coming in and dying. He took off the storm window and cleaned everything out sometime last year and put the storm window back and caulked it including the little round space where the missing hinge was. The other hinges were fine. On both sides of the large "fixed" single pane/storm window are small Harvey windows that open - they are part of the whole picture window package and were here when we moved in. There is no problem with them. Now hubby needs surgery for his neck/back problem according to the neurosurgeon and can't go out there and take out the window. I don't know who to call or who to get to do what. I would think if there is no gap (no more bugs in there) there would not be condensation either. I can't remember if there was any condensation in there during the winter but there has been a few times in the warmer weather when we have heavy rains and high humidity. I hate the sight of the droplets running down the inner window and I CAN'T GET AT THEM AS THEY ARE NOT INSIDE THE HOUSE...grr Please, if you have any suggestions as I can't afford a whole new window now -- the whole thing including the narrow Harveys measures about 114" (Harveys are 18" each) but it looks like all go in one HUGE frame. HELP! I am in Massachusetts. It has cleared up now but we are in for another hot, rainy week into next week and I am worried. Thanks.

WindowsonWashington, thank you for your helpful response. I will check out the 3M film but wonder if it will have the clarity of the two products I have already checked out. Many do a good job for less $$$, but I want the film to let in almost as much light as the window without any film. This is a difficult mission to fulfill and the two samples I have meet this criteria. I'll let you know how 3M compares to the competition I'm putting it up against. When you refer to the large custom vinyl windows, are you referring to mine, to the huge ones by seeking sun, or to both of us? Also, I don't understand how any window film could cause a window failure. SeekingSun, the post was edited as I forgot to add that I will certainly keep you posted how my search progresses. I don't want another winter in a house with covered windows for half the day so want to make a purchase as soon as possible after doing my due diligence. This post was edited by Texasgal47 on Tue, Aug 13, 13 at 0:12

I will suggest taking a picture or several close-up pictures of the window and ask a good local window shop what they think it is. A good shop will answer it for you to earn your future business. A bad shop will ignore you or try to sell you something without answering to your satisfaction. A fine way to figure out who is good and bad in case you need them. Or post your pictures here so the many professionals reading here can share their opinions before you go to a shop. May be the seal can be fixed, may be it is some hidden cracks or it may require a replacement. Until the pros can see it, no one can venture any educated opinion. GOod luck!