We wish to add 3-1/2" vinyl plantation shutters to our home, but our french door is posing a problem: The door has a very large window, and the area between the door edge and the window edge is too narrow {I believe it is about 3 or 3-1/2" wide}. Also, we have been told that door handle cutouts are not available in vinyl (according to 3-day blinds). Does anyone know if (french) door handle extensions are available (or feasible)? Or can anyone recommend a manufacture of quality vinyl shutters that offer the cutout for french door handles? Also, has anyone mixed vinyl & wood shutters? It has been suggested to use wood on the door only. I would want to compare them side by side though.

I have a 1986 modular home with the original double windows that separately slide up and down to open and close and have just two large panes per window.A couple of them have cracked glass and I am told by several dealers that the entire window assembly needs to be replaced.The inside window has a flange that is nailed to the "wall" but the outside window has an aluminum frame holding in the glass.I can't see how one would remove the pieces to replace the glass.The windows with the cracks are only the outside ones.Are the aluminum pieces holding the glass put into place and then a rubber bead rolled between them to hold everything in place?That is the only way I see to remove them but don't want to disassemble them without knowing for sure.Any advice is greatly appreciated.