What brand and line of windows are you buying?

@JJ We haven't gotten that far but I believe the windows are MI brand and the doors are either Anderson or Milgard. This is based on the vendors we will probably be going through.

You could call the vendors and ask to price the window package both ways.

Cost to have the architect edit the plan - 0- $250 depending on where you are at with the contract.

Cost to frame out the openings differently - assuming you havent started - not much. A rounding error.

Cost of the difference between a particular window and a particular door in a comprehensive window package that hasnt been bid yet - only the supplier can tell you.

Are you factoring in the additional heat loss over the period you own the home?

Do you really need doors in those areas? It might impact furniture placement. Will add security issues and having to check even more doors at night! I can't trust anyone in my family to look a door behind them, so that duty falls to me before bedtime or when leaving the house!

It will also not be as tight a seal as you will get with a window, so you might hear more noise from street, wind, neighbors, etc.

How will you deal with window treatments for sun control and privacy? Mount them on the door or above the door, where they might obstruct being able to fully open the doors?

We are only factoring in price of the doors vs the windows. We want more of an indoor/outdoor living space. We've already gone over the pros/cons/solutions of furniture placement (there is a hallway/walkway on the inside), heat loss, window coverings, noise (the backyard is large and very private) etc. We do not need advice in these areas as of now.

Just want to know if anyone has an idea of price difference before we bring this up to the contractor so we are not shocked by his answer.

Doors themselves probably 5-6 times the cost of the windows, ballpark for a mediocre brand. And the opening are different and would need to be reframed as the windows are shorter than the doors.

Very roughly, say your pair of big windows is $1,500. A sliding patio door would be ~$2,000, and nice french doors would be $3,500-4,000. There's my crappy guess. Your GC can hard quote it with the window/door company though

... It might impact furniture placement. Will add security issues ... It will also not be as tight a seal as you will get with a window ... How will you deal with window treatments ...

Don't blow off these topics. They will impact the quality of your life in the house.

Duplicate doors "just because" doesn't sound like a very good idea at all. How many ways do you need to reach the same patio from the same room?

Where is the kitchen in relationship to the doors? You’re so focused on symmetry and form that you’re not taking into account function. It’s a back yard. Not the front yard. Function rules. What’s the path from the kitchen prep out to the grill? What about the back yard playing to the bathroom? The actual connection of the indoor and outdoor is what doors are supposed to facilitate. Traffic routes and interior organization are far more important than useless doors that will never have anyone travel through them.

The french doors need more invasive structure than windows . windows can be more costly depends on the brand but French doors with reconstruction work to do will cost more.

@Mrs Pete We weren't blowing off those issues. They have already been addressed or are not an issue.

@User The other side of these windows/doors are a long hallway runs between the living room and kitchen. Thank you for your input but we have previously discussed your questions with our architect and they are not an issue. We are simply at a point of doors vs windows cost.

@JJ @millworkman @sprink1es @CoolAir Inc. Thank you for your input and advice!

I understand the desire for doors, but the big thing about Frenchies is the lack of screens. If doors are opening into a screen porch/ cage then that is not a problem. The concealed screens are ok ( they usually diminish the opening width ) but quite expensive.

We changed out a set of French doors in our dining room for 2 windows with no sash...same length as the French doors.

Cost for the French doors - $3809.

Cost for 2 long sash-less windows - $844 each ($1688)

So the cost to go with the French doors is a little over twice the price of windows. And don't forget to factor in the door hardware.

Hope this helps! It's late, and I should be asleep. Hope my math is correct. :)