AboutDonald Bosch Expertise I can answer any question relating to windows & doors, glass and mirror, including performance specs, insulation specs, installation and design.
Experience I am a retired window & door specialist, having had related businesses in the industry for over 25 years. I also have very intricate knowledge of sealed units and thermal glass insulation.
Education/Credentials Technical schooling in the Netherlands, industry related.
Expert: Donald Bosch Date: 7/18/2008 Subject: replacing pation sliding door
Question I have a a 5 ft bronze patio sliding door Brick 59" need 62" to install? It is about 20 years which is in a family room that was an addition to our house. I have decided on a Don Young door through a dealer here in Pensacola Fl. However it is an aluminum white heavy frame with low e glass. My price installed is 1,451. Everything else was over 2,300 bucks I really wanted a vinyl door but Don Young won't cut the vinyl door height or something like that Have I made a good choice in this heavy aluminum door? M1110 Don Young aluminum patio door. I could not afford the higher priced doors. This door gets alot of sun in the afternoon.
Also, this house is from 1980-81. The original part of this brick veneer house has general aluminum windows with the crisscross strips. Some of them have lost their seals and are hard to lift open. What should I do with these windows, replace the glass or replace the whole window? If they just replace the glass can the windows lifting springs or whatever is in there be cleaned up and made to work like New?
Thanks,
Lesley
Answer Hi Lesley,
The aluminum door is fine. I prefer it to vinyl myself, as vinyl has much greater expansion rates. Up here in Canada, we watch more for the insulation factors, but in Florida, you need to watch out for the heat gain factors. The low-e will help a bit.
The windows can be repaired. They usually can be fixed so that they do indeed work like new. Find someone in your area who has experience with this type of window. If the aluminum finish is still decent and the seals are still good, why not just repair what needs to be repaired.
