Very very nice. Whose fire pit did you choose? We are wondering what to do under our deck and wonder why you choose gravel over flag stone. Cost? Also, it looks like the patio fronts a steep slope like us. Is that true? We don't know how to transition from the nice patio area to the wild slope too steep to navigate. If you have any photos of what looks to be a retaining wall - we would be grateful for your help. Thanks!

I have been researching the same thing, all I learned was that therma Tru uses Different companies to stain and build their door components. Wayne dalton said they do not use therma tru's vendors, I called both companies. The skins on the entry doors have different undertones,and depending on which species of faux wood you selected, it would cause difference in stain outcome. Do you mind me asking, which one is darker? Can you share picture. I'm so nervous about these two purchases as well. The cost to have entry door factory stained is 1200.00 . We are looking at rustic collection, and the door style looks exactly the same as one in mahagony category, which worries me that it will stain up kinda reddish.

I'm not really clear on whether you have to replace your front door or not. Can you continue to use your current door or is it necessary to put in a new one? If it's just the storm door your husband wants, can you find a skilled carpenter to build you one to go one your current door? Then stain it to match, so it disappears. Alternatively, tell your husband you don't want to compromise with "good enough" and will keeping searching until you find "perfect." He may come to love your current door before you track down something you like better. If you must replace your door, there is a lot of choice out there. We used "Rogue Valley" door and it's beautiful and well-made. Although we could not see that exact door, we could see samples of that manufacturer and others at a local millwork supplier. I suggest contacting the manufacturers to find out who within 100 miles or so has samples of their doors. It will be worth your time to make sure you have chosen the right door. Is your NE Nebraska or New England?

Update... nothing decided. I haven't found any Okna or Sunrise dealers in SE Oklahoma. I found two companies a couple of hours away. One sells Simonton and Softlite and another sells Hurd and Kolbe. I do not want wood windows. Frankly, most people where I live buy from HD or L's. I will NOT buy from them. Pella, Anderson, and Jenn Weld are sold, but I am not happy with their products. Tulsa, Oklahoma has a thermal window manufacturing company that makes aluminum thermally broken windows. I like the weight of their sliding glass doors and double hung windows. I also like that I have more viewing glass. Vinyl windows have better energy efficiency though. The biggest issue is not letting summer heat in. Two months of $450.00 electric bills is way too expensive in July and August. Vinyl windows are looking better for that reason. But, realistically, will I see that much difference in the electric bill during the hottest months if I go with vinyl windows? Another issue...I live a couple of hours away from ANY window dealer. I can't get companies to do installation for just one window and one sliding glass door. That is unrealistic to ask them to drive that far. So this means I will not have any "qualified" installers. I will have to find someone who can do framing and installation. Not so easy to find someone around here. That would also cut my warranty in half since I am not using the company's installers. So either thermal broken aluminum or vinyl windows like Champion, Pella, Anderson with local installers? Thermal broken aluminum window 4'x3'= $248.64 ($485.98 if installed.) Thermal broken sliding glass door $1020.00. I am leaning towards the aluminum because they sell a lot of them, more viewing glass, local company. Thoughts? Here is a link that might be useful: Thermal Windows