Pre Hung French Doors

[bruceb58]

In the market to replace a couple of double French doors in my house. Been looking at Home Depot but not sure what the quality differences are on these doors. Looking for something low maintenance like a fiberglass door. Looking at Anderson and Masonite but open to any others.

Anyone have any recommendations?

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Pre Hung French Doors

Most Jeld-Wen doors I've used were OSB cores with a plastic laminate finish. No maintenance needed.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Pre Hung French Doors

Have heard some complaints about the quality of Jeld-Wen. Have you done many installs with them?

 

[rickryder]

Re: Pre Hung French Doors

Being a contractor I always use Anderson.....you do get what you pay for!

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Pre Hung French Doors

I'm a General Superintendent. Most of my work is high end commercial and public facilities. I have in the past done custom homes in the Park City, Ut. area which has a pretty severe climate swing. Doors and windows take a real beating there. So here's my .02 from what I've built with. I like Anderson also but prefer Pella. Wouldn't buy Jeld -Wen or Masonite. Pella uses Durabond on the exterior of the door with a wood interior finish which gives you exterior durability with the option of natural interior finish. I've had many lesser brands develop leaks in the thermopanes, suffered through crappy hardware issues, sagging, etc. There ain't no such thing as a cheap durable door. So I always install Pella. Pella has a great range of design options also.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Pre Hung French Doors

I have heard good things about Pella. I know that Lowes carries Pella. What are your thoughts on buying Pella through Lowes and using their installers?

 

[LadyFish]

Re: Pre Hung French Doors

Bruce, have you looked at Showcase windows and doors. We replaced every window in the house and the front door and even had custom mullions in ours and they were still cheaper with excellent quality comparable to other name brand doors.

We've had them in now for well over 2 years and reduced our electric bill by half. We chose DP 55 rated windows and could not be happier with the service, the windows and the front door with side lights.

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Pre Hung French Doors

I have usually done better at the local Pella store on special order doors and windows than at Lowes even with my discount. Not a whole lot of difference but my Pella store bought items are delivered to the job site and I have to pick up the ones ordered through Lowes.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Pre Hung French Doors

Anything from the big box stores are made to their specs..... You will get a better product from your local lumber yard since they are built to Andersons/Pella's specs... Home Depot/Lowes sell it cheaper because it's just that made cheaper.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Pre Hung French Doors

I'd find a regular Pella store and use their installers. Your selection will be much better at a Pella retailer. Pella is a price protected brand, much like Apple so costs should be the same. Frankly I'd trust the guy that hung the Pellas all day vs. some of the crews I've seen working for big box stores.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Pre Hung French Doors

Looks like Pella doesn't offer french doors in materials other than wood.

http://www.pella.com/doors/explore-door-styles/hinged-patio-doors.aspx?StyleID=10

 

[rickryder]

Re: Pre Hung French Doors

Anderson is a wood door also..... Marvin has aluminum exterior with wood interiors http://www.marvin.com/?page=Swinging_French

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Pre Hung French Doors

Anderson is a wood door also..... Marvin has aluminum exterior with wood interiors http://www.marvin.com/?page=Swinging_French

Anderson offers a vinyl door. The 200 series is all vinyl and the 400 is wood on the inside that you can stain.

How is ThermaTru?

http://www.thermatru.com/products/patio/french-hinged-patio-doors/index.aspx

 

[scipper77]

Re: Pre Hung French Doors

I have had experience with lowes contractors. Not a high end install. I think the issue here is that you pay lowes and they pay the contractor. Because they feed the contractors a lot of work they can pay them less but you get what you pay for (box store is all about lowest price). One contractor we used tried to steal a $50 box of flooring. We bought a couple extra boxes for the job and knew there would be extra to return. My wife called me at work to tell me that they just put the extra box in there truck when they were cleaning up. That didn't fly.

The second install we did through lowes was a carpet install (entire second floor of the house). They did a pretty good job but I used to have a carpet guy (he passed away) who was perfect when it came to fit and finish. With this install there are a few seams that are a little bit more visible than I think they should be.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Pre Hung French Doors

Anderson offers a vinyl door. The 200 series is all vinyl and the 400 is wood on the inside that you can stain.

How is ThermaTru?

http://www.thermatru.com/products/patio/french-hinged-patio-doors/index.aspx

There an ok door kinda mid grade

 

[perchin]

Re: Pre Hung French Doors

Bruce...

You really need to look into "Peachtree" brand. They are not the cheapest, but they stand behind their doors, and are a top notch company. I used to be a general contractor, and would say they are my favorite.

Here is a link to their site... where you can find your local sales place.

http://www.peachtreedoor.com/default.asp

 

[veritas honus]

Re: Pre Hung French Doors

I prefer Anderson over Pella. The attention to detail, fit, and finish are generally more precise with Anderson windows and doors (this is what I've found). If you buy Pella from Lowes, you get sub-standard, as compared to what you'll get buying from Pella. If you look closely at the pella doors and windows at Lowe's, and then look at The lowe's store brand, I believe it's Reliabilt; the store brand is less money, and built better. I would go with Anderson.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Pre Hung French Doors

Was at Lowes last night. They do have a Pella door that is vinyl on the outside and wood on the inside. Interesting that type is not offered on Pella's website.

I looked up local dealers of Peachtree and Lowes is listed as the local dealers.

Having a local company that only does window and door installs to give me some estimates of a few types. I think I am going to stay away from Lowes/HD installs for now.

Anyone hear of Windor? They are based in Oklahoma but are also manufactured here in CA. Seem like a fairly good quality. The company that makes them also installs them.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Pre Hung French Doors

That's the Durabond option from Pella that I mentioned Bruce. Good stuff. The Pella retailers have it in any color you want. I don't care for Windor personally, I ordered some spec color doors from them and 3 out of 6 were different colors. Door seemed OK, but nothing to rave about.