I'm guessing you live somewhere there are no insects. I would never consider an open air house because: mosquitoes, flies, wasps, bees, cicadas, etc. Plus, where I live it's hot and humid in the summer and cold in the winter. Were I to have a folding wall system it would stay closed. So, I vote for French doors.

We opted to go with a 16' sliding door. Each side opens 8' creating a large opening that is lovely. While we often have our doors open in Vancouver and are not worried about bugs ours will also have a screen. We have french doors off our walk out basement and they were nowhere near the prices you floated.

Here is an option. We have a wall with four doors of windows. The outer doors on each side are fixed and do not open. The two middle doors are French doors opening outward. They open onto a screened porch. No bugs. The combined four doors take up 12' of space. The two operative doors open 6'. You could flank your fire place with two sets these. I think you might find it to be more cost effective. You can do the same set up with telescoping sliding doors if you like those. My costing on folding walls of glass doors are out of sight. This would be far more cost effective.

I have shown homes with the folding doors and with large french doors like you are describing. One of my clients changed to folding doors from windows and it changes the entire feel of the house. It is exponentially much better. I have had the french doors and the large expansive, very tall and wide sliding doors. I haven't had the folding doors myself.

I love the folding doors for actually having the inside/outside feeling, especially if you have a large covered patio. If you have the opportunity, see if you can experience the folding doors installed somewhere before you make the decision. There is no comparison between the french doors and the folding doors.

Having said that, the cost is higher when you take into account all the factors that Sophie mentioned.

Zinc House · More Info

I am a big fan of barn doors on rails!

@Sophie Regarding relative prices, my initial quotes were for Andersen A-series french doors and folding door system. The french doors came in at a bit over $5K each, and the folding door system at a bit over $12K. Comparing the two options from a single manufacturer seemed like a good starting point, and granted I'm sure I could get a lot more competitive pricing on the french doors than on the folding. You make a good point about the cost of structural reinforcement, and that's something we'll definitely consult with the engineer on.

Indeed, the cost of the beam that will be needed to support the space and it's installation will be significant. That's where the costing breaks down for most people. You have to decide if this is where you want to spend your money.

@Alison Wow that is going to be amazing! Do you mind my asking how much of a premium you paid for the structural changes? Or had you planned for these doors from the start? Also curious which folding door manufacturer you went with and why.

We also do not recommend the folding doors, french or sliding ones would be much better.

"We also do not recommend the folding doors, french or sliding ones would be much better."

Why don't you recommend folding doors Indigo? There is absolutely nothing wrong with a quality folding door in the proper application. Do you not sell one?

I'm guessing you live somewhere there are no insects. I would never
consider an open air house because: mosquitoes, flies, wasps, bees,
cicadas, etc.

We stayed in a beach condo once that included the "disappearing doors". They were WONDERFUL, but they opened onto a screened porch. I don't think I'd like them at all if the open space were to open into the great outdoors. Also, I wouldn't like to open these doors and let all my air conditioning out ... and then have to wait a couple hours /pay for the air conditioning to "catch up" and cool the whole house again.

I've had sliding doors and french doors and am now replacing four sliders with two sets of bifold doors. I don't understand the dislike for them, they can be screened for insects and usually fold out so drapes are not a problem. I won't open them if I want air conditioning and have few insects.

Looks great!

we wanted the feeling of French doors without giving up floor space and I had to have screens. So like Alison went with two 5'plus sliders that meet in the middle and then set 57" windows on each end. Did this for two walls in living room (one set out to screen porch and one out to future patio/garden area in front of house and another wall leading from dining room/kitchen area to rear patio. Love it. Loads of air and light.

House build · More Info

House build · More Info

House build · More Info

Listen to Sophie. There's more to large doors than simply the door themselves...especially if you are remodeling an existing home. Even with a new home there are substantial structural and shear issues to be addressed.