We are trying to enclose our screen porch and are seeking sliding doors that are 7 feet wide. For some reason most companies seem to skip that width. Can anyone help us find a good sliding door (we need 4) that is 7′ wide?
Thanks for your help.
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You might try Weathershield, as they used to have one that size if you have the $$$$.
Thanks. Someone did sugggest Weathershield to us once... I don't think that they are very big in the East. Is that right? Actually what we heard is that they have a three panel door that has two sliding parts (they stack 3 deep). I tried e-mailing Weathershield but did not get a response.
For our porch we need 4 seven foot secions plus some other smaller "windows". We'll look some more.
What you may need is a 5-footer and a 2' side light, or a 6' and a 1' sidelight. Since it's a screen porch, I'd likely put the sidelight next to the sliding panel.
Is this a "row" of openings, or the one open space in the porch? If it's the only open space, is there any possibility of jsut narrowning the opening down to 6'?
Thank you for your suggestions. Our porch is 12 X 24'. On the long wall there are 3 openings of about 7 feet each. On one end there is another (7"). There are doors at each end and smaller opening that we will enclose with casement windows, probably.
We would like to have as much open area (not glassed in) in the summer, so we would rather not compromise the 7 foot openings..... if possible.
You might want to check with local window/door people about getting something made to suit. A double-swinging door with two side lights might actually be simpler (2-0, 3-0, 2-0).
Checking with the locals can sometimes be good in any event.
Having them make up something specific to you might could be about the same price as ordering "away" and then shipping it to you.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Swinging doors really won't work. They would take away from the space in the screened porch and would hit one another. I have tried one place as to having it made to order.... no luck.
Swinging doors really won't work. They would take away
Well, with double-swing they can be open either way, but I was more thinking that you could get two 24" french door units and a 36" unit, which would then assemble into 7' of opening, and hinging is slightly simpler than sliding in that situation.
Hmm, let me browse some slider hardware & get back to you.
Are you thinking of sliders with screen doors, or glass in lieu of screens?Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
We considered casement windows, starting about 8" off of the floor... but decided that we wouldn't like seeing the windows when they were open. As you can see we love the look that we have now... but we are tired of stapling plastic around the porch for the fall and winter. We will want screens wherever the sliding doors will open.
Your idea of the two kinds of swinging doors is interesting but I can't see how the doors will --- get out to fhe way. It seems that the doors will hit one another whether they swing in or out.
Thank you for your help.
Where are you located? Maybe I missed it - you said "patio door" - do you mean slider or hinged? If you are looking for french doors on the West Coast these guys build to size, and are competitive with alternatives. We replaced an 8' single pane aluminum slider with French doors and opening sidelites for less than Anderson could do with fixed side lites. They measure and build to size. Dare I say it - sold through Home Depot, though everything is done directly with the company.
http://www.finefinish.com/
Edit - Oops - just reread the first post - you want sliders. You realize of course that IF you can find - and aford! - a 7' slider you won't get much more than a 3' opening. I think in another post you said something about wanting it as open as possible - was that visually or open to air flow?
So - here is another option. If it is just a screened porch (assuming nothing substantial above it - like another floor) why not think about re-framing the openings to be able to go with more standard size doors. You may save so much on standard vs. custom door sizes to pay for the re-framing.
Edited 11/1/2005 11:47 pm by wrudiger
Marvin Windows and Doors advertises totally custom sizing, when it comes to windows. Have you asked your local Marvin dealer about a 7' sliding door?
Either reframe the openings to fit standards or contact a good vinyl/fibreglas custom window (replacement) manufacturer (Comfortline). Be careful with the repl. manufacturers, some are junk.
Patio enclosure companies can also supply you with their product.
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Ditto Calvin. Move the porch columns to accept standard size units. probably less expensive overall, than buying custom size doors.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I'm not sure where you are located (fill out your profile and we'll be better able to assist you) but if you are anywhere in the northeast, Harvey Industries may be able to help you.
I'm also not sure what you're looking for in regards to details. But Harvey Industries is a huge supplier of good quality vinyl replacement windows and such. They'll make vinyl sliders in just about any size and shape. I know vinyl and quality aren't two words that are frequently used together, but we used Harvey vinyl replacement windows in my last house and I was very pleased with the bang for the buck I received out of them.
We are in the northeast. I will look on-line at Harvey Industries... also Marvin
Thanks
Just saw a nice solution to this. They used stock wood screen doors as inserts for the summer months and then swapped to wooden storm doors for the colder months. You still had the actual feel and look of a real screen porch that I think you lose when you glass everything. The screens were set up on a low curb and were separated by a 2x4 column that they fit into.
Thanks. Your idea reminds me of a porch that I once saw on Nantucket. They used wooden screened doors all of the way around but had no glass in the winter.
How would it be (besides expensive) to have a series of the full length storm (glass) doors with screens in the nice weather. The glass would have to be stored in the warm seasons... but...