I took out 16 foot of first story brick when I did my kichen addition. I had to support the second floor brick while installing the supports for both brick and house load. I built a temporary stud wall for the house and bolted a ledger into the studs, through the brick mortar joints. I put studs under the ledger at a slight angle to support the bricks. I installed a double LVL with a 1/2" flitch plate in the middle. A 3/8"x 4"x 16' lintel was integrated into the LVL sandwich and bolted together to hold up the brick. After the structural elements were in place I filled in the brick from the lintel to the supported brick above, about 12". You'll do the same, just on a smaller scale. ***This should not be done if you have no concepts of house loads and how to compensate for them.*** Done incorrectly will cause injury or death. Even a few rows of brick will fracture your skull. I'd recommend having a professional handle this aspect of the job. I am a remodeling contractor with 30 years experience. The supports were engineered by a structural engineer as part of the architectural blueprints for the job. Ron

I just finish one house with two double hung Simonton windows and whole project look great, Only you have to pay for two double hung windows instead one slider. Price is higher

eld6161.........thanks. I too am in Florida. My second shutter vendor was here yesterday to measure and price, etc. The first told me I would find the slider "cumbersome", the second disagreed....and offered a reg. slider or a bi-fold slider. Did you have that option and did you use a bi-fold design anywhere? I do see where it would allow in more light, balance the visual appearance of the door when both open, but I hadn't even been expecting that option and I am typically NOT a bi-fold fan.....thx for any additional info you can share.

if that is the door to outside and the pool then nothing should obstruct that walkway or door. Is that a table blocking the sliders ? Just no. Remember chairs are in that space, too. Sliders are big windows to the outside as well as doors. Maximize your view and light with them. As shown there appears no room for drapes, curtains if you wanted or needed them on the sliders. If that is a wall to go up to the next room then yes it is too crowded. You will get there, good luck.