I'm looking to put in new doors on a balcony that is on a second floor bedroom in my home.  I am looking for some advice in several areas.  First, other than the basic sliding doors, what are my options.  Second, what are the most reliable brands that I can look to for the doors (with price in mind as well). 

Thanks!!!

you can either do a center-hinged patio door (where the door is hinged on a mull post on the center of the door) this option only allows one of the doors to operate but does allow for a screen. You can do French doors which both panels swing (no screen available), or you can do a sliding patio door. You can do either Textured fiberglass (swinging and sliding available), Smooth Fiberglass (swinging and Slidiing available), Steel (Swinging only), vinyl (sliding only), or Aluminum-Clad (Swinging or Sliding available) here are some websites to check out for more information:
www.thermatru.com
www.masonite.com
www.windsorwindows.com
www.miwd.com

If you would like an idea on price let me know which one you would like price on. i would need to know size, glass options in order to get you an idea on price.

Thanks for answering my questions, appreciate it.  In terms of all things considered (price, function, look) what would you say personally is my best option?

Let me know.

Thanks.

Posted By bobarchitect39 on 15 Jun 2010 10:25 AM
Thanks for answering my questions, appreciate it.  In terms of all things considered (price, function, look) what would you say personally is my best option?

Let me know.

Thanks.

When we put in our patio doors we originally wanted the door with one swinging panel & one fixed panel.  We learned what was posted above - in order to do a swinging door, we had to do fiberglass.  Fiberglass is a GREAT material for doors & windows, and if money were no object I would have done all fiberglass - but it is significantly more expensive.  I don't have numbers in front of me, but I believe doing the fiberglass swinging door/fixed panel was at least double the vinyl slider that we ended up using.  Unfortunately, it's always going to be a tradeoff between price & performance.

Thanks for all of your help!

I'm going to check out here, seems like it is the best place for me to check out all of my options.  Have used it before, but not for doors.  Seems like a good source.

McGraw Hill Sweets Network-Exterior Doors


Thanks again!!!