I think there are lots of options. Also depends on where you live how much glass you really want due to cooling/heating costs. I would do outswing to not loose the space and who knows you might want to build a deck there later and they you would have your platform. Until then just build a small wooden step and platform to save money. As somebody else mentioned you may need a platform there no matter what. I think code around here requires it. I think a 2 door frenchdoor would look good, but if you have a really nice view you could do sliders along the whole wall like this one I did some virtuals for you with a couple of different options. Please excuse the see through part and trim as some are from the outside looking in etc., but it should at least give you an idea how it looks. Sliding doors (click pics to see larger) French doors Single door

Mightyanvil, Thank you so much for your response. The smell you describe is pretty right on, and it is definitely coming from the attic. We have gable end vents, 6 roof vents, but only 3 soffit vents, and they are all in one small spot. Our house has no overhangs except in our patio area and that is where the one and only soffit is. The smell comes down through the attic trap door. How can I fix this? any ideas? My husband wants to use a sealer around the trap door, he thinks that will stop the smell from coming down into our living area. I want to make another insulation blanket to lay over the trap door in the attic. We had one but the guys who did the insulation used it to add to the insulation when they were up there. I thought the blanket worked great. My concern is why are we smelling wet insulation? We have no roof leaks. When I look up there I do not see condensation. Do I need to put a fan up there? How could I do that safely? Thanks for your help.

We had Window World windows installed on our entire house. We love them! I ran across this when I was searching for WW to contact them about installing a door. I had to comment. The windows look great. The installers were on time, professional, and did a wonderful job. Definitely not " drug addicts " mentioned in an earlier post. 10 years later and absolutely no problems. I do not work for WW, nor am I affiliated with them in any way other than being a satisfied customer. Why would you think that anyone who leaves a positive comment must be working for the company? Ridiculous. It seems that a few are going out of their way to discredit the company with a mouth full of sour grapes. Maybe they work for overpriced, horrible pushy salesmen, competitors

Looks like you have a really large porch off side, I actually like that you plan to connect it off those patio doors out of kitchen/dining area and give yourselves a small private balcony off master not connected to rest. Not sure what your weather is like but ours here does not justify a massive uncovered/unscreened/unenclosed deck (and to cover and screen all of it would be $$$$) and risks becoming more headache than pleasure, so I understand why you don’t want one. Plus the concerns about shading the future walk out basement. I don’t think you need to burn your house down :) I still vote Option 3 after seeing or understanding more of your overall short and long term plans.