Hey everyone! I currently have a French door that's getting pretty worn out due to rotting in the frame and some wood. A contractor suggested I switch to a sliding door since he claims they tend to last longer. However, I'm having trouble finding a 60-inch door in stock at Lowe's, Home Depot, or Menards.
I'm looking for advice on what makes a good patio door and what key factors I should consider when making a purchase. Can someone explain the pros and cons of sliding versus French doors? Are there any brands I should avoid? By the way, the contractor quoted me $1200 for labor here in Cincinnati - is that a fair price? Thanks!
3 Answers
$1200 for labor sounds pretty reasonable these days, especially compared to a few years ago. As for the door types, I've not really noticed a major advantage between sliding and French doors; both seem to last around 25 years or so. Just make sure to consider the width of the openings because that can really make a difference in usability!
I have a Marvin sliding patio door that’s almost 30 years old and it’s holding up well, but let me tell you, the clear opening width is critical! My door is 72" wide but only has a 27" opening. For a 60" sliding door, you might be looking at only a 21" opening, which can be way too small. If you want to avoid re-framing, you might want to go for true French doors with one panel active and one passive. Also, check out small independent home centers for quotes; they can provide some really good options and may even install them themselves.
I appreciate the tip about looking for independent stores! I'll definitely check that out for the quotes.
Honestly, I’d lean towards French doors. With a 60" sliding door, you only get about 27" of usable width, which can be a hassle if you need to move stuff in and out. If you're planning to carry larger items through, this might not be the best option for you. But if you're stuck with the space and don't want to widen the opening, consider framing in a larger single door with a nice glass panel instead!
That's a good point! I hadn't considered how much of a hassle it might be to fit wider furniture or items through a sliding door.
Thanks for the insight! I’m leaning more towards French doors now, especially if they can fit larger items through.