Hi Laurie, We are in CA. We had this exact problem when selling an old home. It had only wood windows with one pane glass. Two windows had condensation and the inspector wrote up a report claiming seal failure and leaks. We hired another inspector who happens to be a retired General Contractor and a notary public as witnesses. Shot water with a hose onto the windows from the outside and took pictures of the whole event. The pictures of the windows from the inside showed spraying water outside hitting the glass and no leaks. The witnesses also signed a notarized statement attesting to the test. The whole deal cost us a afternoon and a hundred of so dollars but the photos and document solved the problem. I do not remember if the original inspector had to file an amendment or if our agent simply enclosed our document in the pile for buyers to see. With new technology, you can actually make a video tape of your "test" to prove it is condensation. Check local laws though, each state may have different rules on how to submit arguments on your behalf. They should all be very simple. I have my doubts about the real construction experience of these inspectors.

Where are the pocket doors? My thought would be to live dangerously, and paint the pocket doors an accent color like red or turquoise! But if that doesn�t thrill you, certainly I would do them black for consistency.

What did you do? (Warning: Novel coming:) I am here to tell you that antique pocket door hardware is perfect, but 50s through early 90s hardware is AWFUL. Who ever thought a J channel would hold a door that gets a lot of use was an idiot. But not as big an idiot as anyone who installed it and walked away. It is ALL in the installation. I've put in 15 pocket doors using the Johnson Hardware's extruded tracks, with their 3-wheel system. No matter what the weight, I always use 3 rollers. Not only can I, a self-taught, dangerous DIYer, do it, but it's well balanced and beautiful. You don't need those giant pocket door kits, either. A 2x6 base plate, then 2x4s turned sideways down either side of the 2x6 makes the channel. The hardware goes on the top, add wheels, bumpers, trim and DONE. DONE I SAY! Your hardware fears are only valid if the same installation you're experiencing is used again, or the installation is too quick or faulty. I don't know what I'd do without the 9 extra square feet in my rooms. I've even used antique French doors (perfect for your dining room!?) in 3 of them. In the other doors, I'm using antique, horizontal 6-panel doors (harder to find than the 5-panel and cooler doors, I think) which are solid and beautiful. More interesting than any slab door. The only other tip I would suggest is to make certain they're exterior thickness, which is at least 1.75" thick. Interior doors these days are usually 1 3/8" thick and rather flimsy for a pocket. Today I'm installing the trim on the last of the French doors I'm using. It's an antique (i.e. also reclaimed) and just beautiful. Great sight line from the window in the mudroom, into the kitchen. Gives me more light than my dark kitchen than I'd had before. As you can see, I can't rave enough about my pockets. Don't let some contractor tell you they're too difficult or more expensive. Show them this DIYer's post and I'll help their pro-butts out. Remember, if this (nitwit) chick can do it, a pro should do it with their hammer tied behind their back.

The closed doors tell the world it is a place that is never used. That would inspire me to re-purpose that room. Great place for a home office. My sister did this and also removed the doors. It was amazing how open and updated just doing that made the entry feel. I would never actually eat in there with the doors closed, and the vision of running children while adults eat..well I see a head or arm going right through that glass. How big is that room? Imagine it full of eating guests...can the doors open easily w/o chairs being sucked in? Pocket doors and actually using the room seem to give you more space, or find a way for the doors to open out into the hall.