I suggest you check a couple of local door/window installers in addition to the Big Box stores. We have found on two occasions (not a lot of experience to be sure) that they had better quality product, better service, and at least met the Big Box price.
Edited to add: they might give substantial discount to contractor.

We have four sliding glass doors in our home. All happen to be wood frame double glazed by Hurd. The first two went in in 1988. The second two went in in ‘94. They are all working very well with minimal maintenance.

Our advantage, that you might consider, is covered porches. Our home is a Ranch style with lots of covered porch. If memory serves we have 1300 sq. ft. of porch. This has seriously reduced wear on the doors - almost no water, snow or direct sun on the doors. The porches have also protected the walls as well. IE - less painting.

As far as all wood doors, I am not recommending you do that since there are much better doors these days.

How about searching the major brands on the web and then contact the local distributors? Extra effort here will save grief down the road.

On the French vs. slider debate, we obviously prefer the sliders. Our experience is they are also better at minimal air transfer in the heat or cold when compared to swinging doors.

Milgard makes a lot of sliders, all different prices, styles, and materials
Thermatru makes several styles of French patio doors including fiberglass.

My dislike of sliders comes from many years of living in the south with cheap, poorly installed, builders grade thin aluminum framed doors. These had poor, worn or no weather stripping

The newer sliders appear much better, but I have no experience with them.
Proper installation is the key, with all flashing, caulking, and drip caps. Whatever style you choose.

I won’t chime in as a door expert, but as somebody who’s always moving large items in and out of others homes as well as my own.

If you get a slider, and you ever think you would need an opening large enough to get a large item through, make sure you get one where both the slider and panel are removable.

I am also looking at French doors. Need two to replace two 30 year old solid wood doors. I’m in Vermont and we have 120 degree temp changes plus humidity swings.
I’ve checked out Pella, Marvin Integrity, and will look into Anderson’s top line door.
I asked about Thermatrue, [Thermamold] or what ever, fiberglass doors and was told they would make a good basement door.
We are already looking at $3800 per door, is there another brand we should look at?
Being 59, I’m looking for as close to “0” Maintence as possible.
We have a log cabin, so might get away with fiberglass, but I think vinyl wouldn’t look right.

quote:

Originally posted by armored:
Thanks for all the good advice.
Because of door opening limitations the slider is the best choice for my application.
The suggestion to NOT use wood makes sense. Because my installer wants me to purchase the doors I'm sort of forced into a big box store purchase.
I checked Menards, Lowes, and Home Depot,it seems about ALL the lines they sell are rated very poorly. I also had a problem finding a door that had no wood.
I think I found a slider that seems to get good reviews and is made with all vinyl with a foam type core. It is made by MASTERPIECE (MP) and is sold at Home Depot.
I will go and take a look.

We are now in the same boat as you were a year ago...just checking to see if you installed the door you mentioned and gow it has held up?

I just put in a Pella 250 and opted for the optional foam fill. We are very happy with it.

If you need triple pane they have the Pella 350.

I was so turned off by the bad reviews of the big box stores I turned to my contractor ( an old friend).
He suggested a Millwork store near me. They came out and measured for the slider and a casement window.
The contractor and Millwork place suggested Lincoln, located in Wisconsin to build the slider and double casement window.They are both aluminum clad.I was able to pay the contractor price, but it was still way more than I had planned to spend.
I'm closing in on 70 years old, I'm sure the windows and door will last a lifetime for me.

I replaced French Doors a few years back with a slider from Harvey. No regrets.

Other good brands include Pella and Marvin - but they are pricey.

Good luck.

I've had Pella sliders in Arizona, Texas, and Colorado.

Big fan. Worked great for me in all three climates, each dramatically different.

Being that you're near Chicago, and all of the crime and things that are going on there. I'd got with hurricane impact sliding glass doors. They are bulletproof depending on the thickness of glass you get but they also greatly reduce burglary, and they have strong latching mechanisms.....they're supposed to stop a 2x4" at like 150 mph.

PGT or SJW are the two brands I'd be looking at. The quality of both brands is excellent. Glass is also tinted and comes in various shades, so blinds aren't necessarily needed to lower sunlight.

We only have 1 exit at the back of our house & it's a sliding door. Replaced it this past November. I have no idea what "grade" or how much it cost but it is an Anderson with the blinds in it. We are very happy with it. We have no children & know how to open & shut a door gently.

We do, however, have 2 large dogs & them going in & out would alway get the curtains dirty along the edges so it was a hassle taking the entire curtains down to wash them on a regular basis. Now we just wipe the edge of the door with glass cleaner & a paper towel.

It also has the locking mechanism at the bottom to make it more secure.