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Single French Door, Regular French Doors of Sliding French Doors

9 years ago

This pic shows how the dining room for my new build was originally drawn. The builder is recommending against sliding doors as shown. Are sliding french doors better in terms of the seal? In his model, he showed a similar (but deeper) bay but with a single french door to one side, and large windows where the slider is. I will be building in Minnesota and I have 2 Labradors who I'll be letting in and out through this door. Of the doors I've looked at so far, I like the Marvin Integrity best for the french and sliding french doors. I'm not sure what brand I would use if I went with a single french. What would you put in if you were building your hopefully forever home?

Thank you all, this board has been super helpful so far.

Featured Answer

millworkman

9 years ago

I am talking about the potential of the weatherstrip possibly failing. Not the product.

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Comments (8)

millworkman
9 years ago
Why does he recommend not using a sliding patio door? That to me is about the perfect application for one?
katmu
Original Author
9 years ago
He stated that the seal wasn't as good on the sliding patio doors over time.
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millworkman
9 years ago
I tend to agree somewhat but with a quality sliding product you have 15 years before changing it may possibly be necessary.
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
9 years ago
+1

Nothing wrong with a sliding door there. It will probably weather and wear better than a hinge door as well as fit the space better (i.e. not encroach on the footprint of the space).
katmu
Original Author
9 years ago
So do the sliding french from a company like Marvin tend to be a better quality than a regular sliding door from the same company?

I'm not thrilled with the idea of putting in something that only has a 15 year lifespan.
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
9 years ago
The French rail is just a style of the door if that is what you are referring to.
PRO
Doors & More
8 years ago
Decent quality sliding - or folding sliding doors - will do the job and last more than 15 years. Of course you have to fit them properly for a good seal so choose an experienced fitter, a specialist fitter or buy a door that can be fitted by the manufacturer. As with anything, you get what you pay for. Untreated softwoods are likley to warp over time so treated woods, hardwoods or metal doors will perform well over a longer period.

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