I like the 8 foot doors in double doors better than a single with sidelights unless the single is quite wide as per millworkman's suggestion (very tall narrow doors can look off). Our ceilings in the entry are 12 feet so I am glad we replaced that 6 foot 8 inch door in our house prior to our addition with this taller one. The 8 foot doors looks so much better with tall ceilings. We have a fiberglass door that looks like wood. It was quite thermal, so not sure all double doors are created equal in terms of energy rating (we are in Canada and the door is north facing so we paid attention to energy ratings). Here is our door in our house under construction. I love the glass as it lets in nice light. Carol

Consider tandem or a second floor for storage.. Also consider the snow and the garage access. I think a 3' door and a "double door" for the automobile would be good.. Also consider the activities, such as washing the car, maybe a car port is better, or a combo port and garage... For some reason, ever since the days of the Model T , garages have been poorly designed, generally too small.. The automobile is not a prisoner, to be confined in the smallest possible cell... Automobiles are ever becoming larger as are our possessions. If no-one ever sees it, why even have a door ??

We have iron double doors and they ARE heavy. They are very well balanced though and open and close like "butterrrr". My toddler grandchildren have no problem moving them once they are open. Price these doors before you fall in love with either idea. Our door was reasonable (4K +) but they can run much higher. Your hardware for these doors is not inexpensive either, and if you have the requirements that Renovator spoke of for your area of not being able to leave one side latched- a double may not be worth the security hassles. Our double door is inside a security gated courtyard so we often leave it open in nice weather when kiddos are not around.

Let's me try to take more photos and update. Sorry the ones I have is low resolution. Sammy, the glass on top of the door is to bring more lighting into the house and stairs. It doesn't have to be directly on top but a square glass between ceiling and top of the door. Don't you think it's a good idea though? NHBabs z4b-5a NH, over time when we have guests and 1 person standing outside and 2 inside, the door is always swing back and forth while we talk and it is stucked in the middle. Two people standing inside is impossible with the door is 1 foot against the stair. Also when we have packages and left inside right at the entrance, it's very tough to move around the door between upstair and downstair... I would also think shaving 2-4" might not help it either for the space limitation but just thinking...