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Porches & Decks Windows Design Dilemma

Bifold door advice

6 years ago

So I have been doing a lot of research on large folding patio doors and I'd like some advice.

First off, what material should the frame be for maximal durability? I am avoiding wood or aluminum-clad wood designs because of durability concerns. I love frameless glass designs like with some Nanawall products but they are out of my price range. Of the other materials, would you recommend aluminum, vinyl, or fiberglass?

What companies would you recommend? Nanawall looks fantastic but out of my price range. I've looked into LaCantina, Andersen, Western, Sierra Pacific, Panoramic, Panda, Milgard, and Value Windows. Andersen was also too pricey. Is there a reasonably priced manufacturer that you have had a good experience with? I received a very competitive quote from Panoramic but some subsequent research and word of mouth has revealed some durability and quality concerns. At this point I just want somebody to tell me what to buy!

Featured Answer

acm

6 years ago

These are basically custom-scaled doors. There will be no reasonable prices!

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Comments (11)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
6 years ago
These are never cheap so be prepared to spend the money for quality or forget the idea. IMO aluminum clad wood is a very nice low maintenance material but not cheap . We really can’t help you buy something if you have already done your research , we don’t know the size of the space or your budget. Very often what you want is just out of the budget and you will have to decide that.
K Laurence
6 years ago
IMO, doors and windows are not things to skimp on quality... maybe rethink your “wants” or be prepared to pay ...
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quasiexpert
6 years ago
What size are you looking for, and what prices have you seen from the brands you've checked so far?
Michael Jung
Original Author
6 years ago
ok, so some details. I'm looking for 8 foot high doors, with one door about 10 feet in width and the other close to 11 feet. I was hoping to get the doors and installation for around 25K, but am somewhat flexible on pricing.

Nanawall gave me a quote for something like $1400+ per linear foot.

Andersen: 40K just for the doors, no install.

Milgard: 24K for doors, no install

Panoramic: 14K for doors, no install

Western: 29K for doors, no install

Awaiting quotes from LaCantina, Origin, and Solar Innovations.

Is there another great company that is reasonably priced that I'm overlooking?
quasiexpert
6 years ago
The only one of those I have been involved with is Andersen, and the biggest one so far was 15' wide x 8' tall. I believe it was right about $16k. If you've never installed one and are unlikely to ever do it again, I would personally recommend that you don't-and I know I would charge about $1k for the install. So the pricing you were given seems quite high, especially with no installation. So are there some options that are making the door panels more pricey than average? Art glass? Special SDL or FDL grills?
Michael Jung
Original Author
6 years ago
There's nothing special that we requested for the Andersen doors, and I have no idea why the quote was so high without installation included. We like Andersen products and just replaced our house windows with really nice Andersen windows, but the quote for the doors was not reasonable. If I could get an Andersen door for about 1K per linear foot including the install I would do it.
PRO
GN Builders L.L.C
6 years ago
Like ACM said, you not gonna find a bargain on bi-fold exterior doors. Nanawall basic price runs anywhere from 700 per foot and up and other well-known manufacturers are not far behind.
quasiexpert
6 years ago
Unfortunately, the days of $1k/ft appears to be shrinking. I just priced Andersen doors like you are talking about and ended up in the mid 30s, so your dealer is right there with us.
Nick Wenger
5 years ago
Michael, what did you go with for doors? I am starting the process of removing a wall and putting in a California room. The quotes I am getting for framing, door install, stucco, etc are coming in at 11K for a French Door, and 16k for a LaCantina. Leaning towards the 9ft LaCantina over the cheaper 6ft French Doors. Would like to figure out a screen solution as well.
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Classic Home Improvements
3 years ago
Here is some information about the La Cantina bi-folding doors and how they operate. Which unit did you end up selecting?

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