Yes they did Jen. The first year we were here they ate holes in twenty six window screens and some of the door screens. We were sick, but decided since we were having to replace them we'd put in solar screen. It's fiberglass as were the screens they ate, but it's thicker and I guess they can't get their biters around/through them. After five years of it not happening again we thought it was a fluke so when we installed our screened in porch with regular fiberglass screening. Solar screens make the windows look like black holes and we didn't want the whole porch to looks black. You might know that those darn critters ate through that screen so we wound up replacing it with solar screen after all. It doesn't look as bad as we thought since you can see through from one side to the other. You can see how dark our windows look though.

I, too, am not a fan of totally open concept. However, in my remodel I opened up a 32" doorway between the kitchen and the DR into a 47" arched opening. I love it; the two rooms are quite distinct, but they feel connected, too. I dunno; I think I would choose "B."

French doors will give you the option of a door between the DR and LR, add to the value of your house. A lace curtain over the glass is the traditional way to cover them for privacy. If you wall in the space, please put your 2x4's 16" oc. It will take only a couple more and you will need the extra studs for nailing - sheet rock and trim are designed to be nailed every 16". If you are going to the effort of building a wall, do it right. Many people close in and rename their dining rooms. It's a fine idea to use the space you have to suit your family. But a house that 'goes around' works better - think of small children chasing each other through a house, happy for hours, or a party where people don't get caught in a dead end room but can circulate easily. So even if you close the door most of the time, I would suggest that you leave one, even if it is only a single French door. Yes, if you can only get to the DR through the kitchen, it is not a formal DR. When you have a dinner party and wish to entertain in the LR, you then set the table with your favorite china and silver, etc., and welcome people into your dining room formally - in Victorian days the gentlemen would have offered their arms to the ladies and escorted them into the dining room! However, if you do not entertain like that and do not intend to move in the next 5 years, do what you want! Someone else can change it back.

Hi Sally, as the manufacturer of EPIC Plus we wanted to share a bit more information on the product. We’re incredibly proud of our EPIC Plus line and have analyzed its performance through and through. We understand your concerns regarding the reviews are working with each of these customers individually to determine the cause of the issues. Their installations do not represent the experience of the vast majority of consumers who have purchased EPIC and EPIC Plus flooring. We’ve sold thousands of square feet with amazing outcomes. The EPIC Plus Collection features a different core than our other engineered hardwoods. This core, called Stabilitek, is the latest technology from the Shaw Hardwood Innovation Lab. We went to construction sites, engaged builders, consulted climate specialists and hired the leading wood and concrete specialists as part of our efforts to create EPIC Plus. Like any hardwood, you’ll need proper installation to ensure the product’s success for many years to come. We recommend you work with hardwood flooring specialists who will see to it your floors are acclimated properly and installed at the recommended humidity levels. We offer several styles within the EPIC Plus Collection featuring three species: Hickory, Maple and Oak. We would be happy to answer any additional questions you may have about EPIC Plus or Coretec (as it is part of the Shaw family). Hope this information was helpful to you.