I would like to install an energy efficient exterior French door. This will be replacing an old aluminum slider that is terribly drafty (1966 era). Modifications are not a concern. I would like any recommendations on what type of door to purchase. I am familiar with alot of name brand doors. But I am not sure which ones really perform well in the cold climates where I live. I have a Therma-tru front entry door and I am not very impressed with that and I was assured it was a great choice.
Thanks for your help,
Jeff

 

I think replacing aged sliders with french or single opening 72" doors is a great idea due to the energy inefficiency of sliders.
A true french door opens outwardly with hinges on the outer frame. With this design you can't have external screens.
Another alternative is a single opening double door with one of the door units fixed in place and one opener. Just make sure the opener is attached to the framework away from the fixed door. You do not want the door attached to the fixed door. They will always sag, and you are not attaching the door to any type of framework for rigidiy.
As with any entry door, remember to drive a 3" screw into the top hinge through to the frame of the doorway to prevent sagging.
As to brands, JeldWen makes a pretty good line of doors and windows. My daughter lives in Colorado, and I replaced her entry door with a fiberglas door from HD. A little pricey, but beautiful and energy efficient. Another benefit is it will not rot, expand or contract with the changes in your weather.
Of course you could always go with Peachtree Door, but I really don't think the price is worth it.

 

Thanks for the response Chandler,

I was told there are French "style" sliders with the wider framing around the glass. Is a slider more efficient than a hinged type door? Or is it the other way around. Also are you familiar with the Pella doors and windows and Marvins doors and windows? Is one brand better than another? I have heard that Pella is curently "top dog" but I have no way of knowing this myself. I am thankful for any advice. I want to purchase energy efficient doors and windows.
Thank you,
Jeff

 

Jeff: some of the better branded sliders, especially those with wooden frames have wider stiles and rails, with solid thermopane windows and false dividers, made to look like a french door. But with sliders, the inherent problem is air infilration, and with aging the rollers crack, brake, disintegrate, making the movement more and more difficult. Now, don't get me wrong, you can come off your pocketbook and get a really efficient slider.
I have installed both Pella and Marvin, and from an installer's preference, the Pella wins hands down with ease of installation. They come with a sealing flange and they furnish sticky tape to seal the entire unit with to prevent infiltration. They are expensive, but good. Marvin, on the other hand is moderately priced, and is carried by big box stores as a standard line, and they do a good job, but Pella comes with alot more bells and whistles, such as locking mechanisms, built in blinds. Other fine higher end doors are made by Andersen, JeldWen, and Peachtree.
Word of warning: If you purchase an unfinished door unit, immediately upon installation seal all the surfaces, either with paint or a urethane type sealer. If you don't the door will swell and won't close properly until the humidity leaves the wood.
Good luck with your choices, I just hope I didn't muddy up the water too much for you.

 

Chandler,

Thanks again, I really appreciate the input. Information is the key here and you are providing me with that. I think I will check into the JeldWens, Andersons and Peachtree.
Water is starting to clear up,
Jeff

 

You might check into Lincoln Windows. I just did and found quite a price difference. Of course I was looking for a special case where I needed an exterior french door that was only 4 ft wide.

I got their phone number from their website (which is kind of incomplete):

"Please Contact Lincoln Wood Products for a Location Near You
1400 W. Taylor Street, Merrill, Wisconsin 54452
Phone: 715-536-2461"

They gave me the name of a local distributor. Looks like I can save $1000.00 off what it would have cost me if I would have bought one from Anderson Windows. And according to information from other forums on the web, customers are very happy with their quality.

(Standard disclaimer: I have no financial association or connection with the company other than as a potential customer)

I'm still looking to see if I can find something cheaper so if anyone knows any other company that makes exterior french doors that are 4ft wide, let me know. I think I may post this in a separate thread. Don't want to hijack this one.
--

 

Sorry to ressurect the old thread, but I have pretty much the same question. I'm planning on installing this french door myself, and replacing an old, 60's era, aluminum sliding door.

So far, I've seen base model french doors at Home Depot/Lowes. Steel doors go for $300, while Fiberglass goes for $450. What are the advantages of fiberglass over aluminum? It mentions they may be better for coastal areas (I assume because of rust?). Any others?

What about a higher priced door for closer to $1000? What am I gaining? Pretty sure I want Low-E glass.

 

I assume you intended to ask "What are the advantages of fiberglass over *steel*?"
Both types have a foam insulation core so both are great insulators compared to wood, however a French door is typically full glass so the insulating core is not a key issue. Steel can dent and rust, fiberglass doors do not dent and can not rust. Whereas steel doors usually are intended to be painted and have a flat surface to paint, fiberglass doors usually (not always) have a woodgrain texture on them that allows them to be either painted or stained. The woodgrain texture can vary - including oak, mahogany, fir, walnut, and smooth (flat). Steel and fiberglass doors are usually stocked without Low E glass, and Low E is available possibly by special order.

The three major players are steel, fiberglass, and wood. If you get steel or fiberglass, they usually are prehung in a primed wood fingerjointed frame with fingerjointed wood brickmould. You can often upgrade to a non-fingerjointed frame and brickmould for extra $$. You would normally also have to buy paint for the exterior, a storm/screen combination door, a lockset, and deadbolt. This is what you typically get if you get wood (which is closer to that $1,000 figure you mentioned): If you get wood, it typically is clad on the exterior, so unlike the others you have no exterior painting to do, ever. It usually already includes a screen door. It usually includes a 3 point lockset, which locks at the top, middle, and bottom, making it warp-proof and tight against the weatherstrip. It usually already includes Low E glass with argon gas. Obviously when you add in the extras that you have to buy with steel and fiberglass, the price difference with wood is not as great.

All of the above variables depend upon which brand you choose and where you buy it, but generally apply to what's out there in the door industry.