Yesterday we shared a little ditty on DIYing vs. hiring things out with our busted old sliders as the star. They got stuck, had a broken screen, wouldn’t lock, and were rotting (you can read more about that right here).
Then we decided it was high time that we finally sprung for a set of pretty new french doors that were the same style as the door in our laundry room to keep the house from feeling too hodge-podge. Here’s a process pic during the whole switcheroo…
You can read more about the how and the why on the new french doors here. This post is all about the pictures (especially now that we’re done painting them – well at least one side of them, but more on that in a minute). First here’s a shot of the door after it was all installed. We just needed to paint the trim and both sides of the doors, which came primed but not painted.
So we taped off the trim and the hardware and John used a small foam roller to apply some Benjamin Moore Advance Paint in Decorators White (the same gallon leftover from this project and Granny’s bathroom cabinet) while I manned the short handled paint brush to get into all the grooves and around all the edges & trim that the roller couldn’t handle. In one afternoon we got one side of them done (the inside) since they only needed three thin and even coats, but we still have to do the outside. Maybe tomorrow…
In the words of Heather from the NY Housewives: Holla!
Isn’t she pretty? Don’t mind the hardware above that purty door, that’s just from the curtains that used to hang there (back when we were trying to hide the rotten parts of our old slider). We did try putting them back on for a hot second, but after seeing it both ways it was a lot better naked, if you know what I mean. But you can see the curtains in this pic that I took to demonstrate the coolest thing ever: when the doors are open, they don’t block traffic in the hallway. Thank goodness. It was hard to picture them before we got them installed, and we assured ourselves that we’d probably only have one door open most of the time (the one on the right) but it’s so nice to know now that they’re in that if we ever want to throw both doors open, the left door doesn’t block the whole hallway or anything. Whew.
And speaking of the little things that make ya happy, take a look at the sexy ORBed hardware. Me-ow.
But back to how we’ll use them. Most of the time we’ll just open this right door to slip in and out…
… but I have to admit that there’s something oddly thrilling about opening them both. It’s just so much openness that we didn’t have with the slider. And thanks to the screen being broken on the old doors, we don’t know what we’re missing (in other words, we don’t yearn for a screen yet since we haven’t used one in the almost-two-years that we’ve lived here, but there’s an add-on screen option for this door that we can later spring for from Home Depot if we change our minds).
Dear Old Slider, you had your day, but man, I won’t miss the front view…
… or the rear view.
New guy’s much better. Let’s call him Frenchie.
And thus ends the french door replacement picture-fest. Isn’t it crazy how a deck that takes months to come together can almost be immediately surpassed by a quick door upgrade? And once we stain/seal the deck, hide that ugly-riffic electric meter, and string some big bulb string lights overhead… well, I think this old alley will be straight up unrecognizable.
What have you guys upgraded that somehow made everything around it feel a little more swanky? You know how sometimes when you fix something up it makes the rest of the room just look bad by comparison? For some reason now I’m convinced that new doors have the opposite effect. Even our old scratched parquet floors look better when they’re next to Frenchie…
Psst- Clara + goats = love. More here.
Carla says
Beautiful doors. They make a huge difference and really help the deck feel more connected (no pun intended!) to the house. The table on that deck, however, feels too blocky and crowded. With that lovely patio space, have you considered making this a more restful place with cozy chairs for reading and maybe some lights or lanterns strung between the rooflines? Just curious!
YoungHouseLove says
It just works better for us as a dining area (off of the kitchen, no steps to step down, etc) – we have our patio for more casual lounding/chalk play/rock-box stuff, etc (since that’s down steps and not near the kitchen).
xo
s
Stacey says
Love the new doors, John & Sherry! Coincidental timing…my husband and I just did the DIY route and replaced two old sliders with french doors a couple of weeks ago. We are in love with the new look! We thought we’d never open both of the double doors, but with this great cool weather moving in, we’ve had them wide open the last few nights, and it has been wonderful! It makes the house feel twice as big! I can’t wait to see what your screen solution is (if you decide to do one). I’m not in love with the idea of having them on a track because it would interfere with that great wide-open feeling when both doors are open, but I haven’t heard great things about the retractable versions. We keep Googling for a solution, but we haven’t been able to come up with one yet!
Lisa says
The doors are such an awesome upgrade! I do have a somewhat random question. Are you guys still planning on painting the siding? I think I remember a post from way back when on testing gray paint colors for the front of the house. If you do paint, will the siding on the deck get a coat of gray as well? I think it would look awesome with the yellow chairs on the deck and the yellow front door!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, we’re thinking about it still, although with colder weather coming it might get put off until spring again! Haha!
xo
s
Nikki Kelly says
The doors look great! I can only imagine how great it will be to throw open both doors during parties (in the summer at least) and have kids running laps through your house. Oh, and I’m pretty excited to hear how affordable they were. We kinda need a new back door and this puts me at ease a little.
As for small upgrades making a big impact, our recent one consists of a bunch of tiny pieces of trim. These tiny pieces of trim to be exact. we thought our recently installed hardwood floors looked good before, but this was just the icing on the cake! It even made the view from downstairs better.
Nikki Kelly @ the ambitious procrastinator
YoungHouseLove says
Looks awesome! I love the over-enunciated L too. Haha!
xo
s
Casey says
YES! They look AWESOME! And why is it seriously so thrilling to open them and have that huge 6′ hole in the wall? I feel the same way when the ones in my dining room are open. Simple pleasures. :)
Cassondra says
Love the new doors! So jealous. I definitely get the little things that make a big difference, we just moved into our first house and it is pure 60s. Even just upgrading outlets and switches makes me swoon. I can’t even imagine how much I will love our gutted kitchen and bathroom one day.
Sarah says
Oooh! I don’t know if it’s dangerous for Clara to be out there without any shoes on her little feet. I remember as a kid we couldn’t go out on the deck with bare feet because we could get splinters.
YoungHouseLove says
She just dashed out there for the pic. Thankfully no splinters!
xo
s
suzanne says
Love the look of the new doors! We just had some french doors installed in our bedroom leading out to our new deck. We took out an old window and chose tilt and turn doors so we can crack it open for air without compromising security…or the cat getting out! Like you, we will probably only rarely have both open but it sure feels extra swanky when we do. We are playing the screen option by ear as well and so far no bug problem! Yay for new beautiful doors to upgrade a home!
YoungHouseLove says
That sounds awesome!
xo
s
MC says
Question – in the second picture, what is that in the background that looks either like a ghost or a reflective sheet of plastic (to cope with construction dust?)? Maybe I’m seeing things…Anyway, love the upgrade and the whole blog!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s actually a sliding door that leads into our sunroom behind John in that pic- but there is a pretty ghostly shadow (I think it’s just from John and Clara).
xo
s
julie says
Love the french doors!! We replaced a window in our dining room with a similar door. Question: When you paint the outside, will you paint the squishy weather stripping stuff that’s around the doors? I’m thinking yours has it?? Ours does, and that is what is keeping us from painting the outside of the doors, hubs says we can’t paint it, I say..what the heck??
YoungHouseLove says
Ours has white weatherstripping and since we’re painting the door white we won’t paint that stuff since it’ll blend in without paint (paint can peel off, which isn’t a big deal either). Hope it helps!
xo
s
Tracy says
Looking good, but I was wondering why you have them opening in rather than out on to the deck? The other way round they could lie flat against the external walls?
YoungHouseLove says
That’s just not to code, so the only way they’ll install them to keep the warranty is opening in. In our area they must open in (when they swing out they’re less secure, etc).
xo
s
GreenInOC says
@Tracy, in California they have to swing out in case of an emergency (earthquake!).
If the doors swing out or in and and something is blocking the door, you can move it and escape but if they swing out and something outside has fallen and blocked the door from opening, you can’t escape.
I know all this because I’m in California and mine were installed wrong (probably a DIY from previous owners)!
Barbara says
Love the new doors! We replaced a 70’s slider (8 footer) a few years back and love it.
I would want a screen though, for those beautiful days when you want to throw open windows and breathe fresh air.
Natalie says
Sherry I actually sent you a comment through instagram about that dog!I got a chance to pick him up a while back and totally thought it was so you! Now I feel all special I own a “sherry-approved” ceramic animal!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I love him!
xo
s
Joanne says
I love the french doors!!
I have french doors too and I have a roll in screen for it, but un-fortunately the screen was broken when I moved in. Are there any other options for a screen for a french door. I do like the roll in screen though so that I don’t have to look thru it when you look out the door.
YoungHouseLove says
I think there are pill out screens and snap on screens and all sorts of options. I’d go to Lowe’s or Home Depot and just ask around.
xo
s
Jody says
Hey! LOVE that new door! I have a french door too that I would love to leave open for some fresh air. However we would have a house full of flying bugs! Is there some sort of screen that you will use with it?
YoungHouseLove says
You can add a screen if you’d like (we didn’t have a working one for two years on the old door, so we didn’t think we needed to). If you check out some of the comments folks have linked to options though!
xo
s
Jacqui says
My husband and I just replaced our 65 year old solid oak door in our entry/living room. We put in a 15 pane full length door that is ABSOLUTELY wonderful. I can’t imagine going back. It is so much more bright in our house because of the door! It makes all the difference on a north facing wall to add a 68 inch full light window!
Sadly though, it only seems to be a huge deal to the two of us. Our paint sample still lives on the interior of the door waiting for warmer weather and someone else to gush about how nice the sunny yellow orange will be against our siding, or how wonderful our ORB hardware is… I guess that’s what happens when you’re young and love decorating and your friends just don’t.
I love your doors. They are exciting and wonderful!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I would totally notice and ogle it Jacqui!
xo
s
Tirzah says
Lovely! I’m not feeling the name “Frenchie.” How about Henri or Pierre? Or the Trekkie Jean-Luc? ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Jean-Luc it is!
xo
s
Gabbi says
LOOOOOOOOVE the change! I can’t believe how much more amazing everything looks!
Sarah says
Looks GREAT, amazing what changing doors can do for a place!!!! Quick Question, did you build the pink rocking bike yourselves… Perhaps a sneak preak to something in the book? :)
YoungHouseLove says
I wish! That was a just a gift last Christmas from John’s mom and dad (from diapers.com).
xo
s
JT says
Not to be pushy, but have you thought about a little pergola out there? Mabel over half, with some nice wisteria? Or grape vines? I think it would be pretty great. And give you shady outdoor space after you turn the carport into a garage…
YoungHouseLove says
We thought about that but once we built the deck we realized we liked the open sky since three out of the four walls are closed in thanks to the house’s layout. Who knows where we’ll end up though!
xo
s
Shannon says
The door looks ah-mazing! We are in the same boat right now, needing to replace a slider. I would prefer a French door, but need to convince the hubby. We’ve priced them out extensively, so I’m extremely impressed with your price point (our Home Depot estimates on a slider were ridiculous!). I’m curious about the energy efficiency of your door choice? You probably get a lot colder up there than we do here in the South …
YoungHouseLove says
They’re low-e and were rated similarly to the other options we priced out (Lowe’s, local guys, etc) so they seem to be pretty standard. They feel really solid all installed (no drafts or anything like an old window).
xo
s
Lesley says
Did anyone else lean in to that second picture to see if there were any secret book projects visibile??? No? Just me? Hunh.
Love the doors and that you can open them completely. I suspect, as you do, that you will only open the one, but it is lovely to have visions of grandly swinging both doors open to greet your guests… in a long flowing gown maybe. Like this…http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZS_8fbUHQWk/TSK8qWSqsQI/AAAAAAAAAbw/yX-0F9Zldiw/s1600/bride%2Bpicture%252C%2Bopening%2Bdoors.jpg
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, you guys are sneaky about book projects. So far I think we’ve been legitimately caught once. And yes, I’d totally pose like that girl if I looked like that. Hahah!
xo
s
Stacy from dubV says
Can you post a link to the Home depot door and Lowe’s door you were looking at? We are replacing ours within the month.
YoungHouseLove says
Sorry, we can’t find it online but it’s made by Masonite and we were shown the option in the store, if that helps.
xo
s
Annie says
Wow, the exact same post for two days. Your job is rough.
YoungHouseLove says
We’ve written over 2,500 posts in the past 5 years, so I think we keep plenty busy :) Some projects earn 1 post, some earn 20 – just depends how much research/time they take and how much we have to say. I think our 1st & 2nd kitchen each took about 40! Here’s a post about how we decide what to post about. Hope it helps, Annie!
xo
s
Jenna at Homeslice says
Wow, what a difference. I feel like your new porch makes even more sense and flows better with the bigger and definitely more beautiful doors! Love them.
Nicole says
Our french door screen just fell yesterday (off its track, as usual!) and was sadly bludgeoned by a rogue patio chair. So…new screen is a comin’.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw man, sorry about the screen bludgeoning!
xo
s
Wendy says
LOL. I know just what you mean about upgrading one thing and the rest of the room looks bad by comparison. We’re going through that in our kitchen/sun porch. A new rug turned into new paint, appliances, counters and a backsplash. Good grief! I’m thrilled with the results though.
Also the open shelving in your kitchen inspired us. We just hung the shelves earlier this week, and tonight I get to accessorize. Fun stuff! http://www.oldtownhome.com/2012/10/10/Kitchen-Shelving-Part-3—Primed-Painted-and-Installed/index.aspx Thanks! :-)
YoungHouseLove says
They look AWESOME!!
xo
s
alison says
do i spy a vespa rocker? where did you get that?!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! That was a gift last Christmas from John’s mom & dad. She found it on diapers.com!
xo
s
Cass says
I love your door hardware…I have the same set on my (brand-new, no-1-inch-gap-at-the-bottom) front door. Solid, brand-name hardware is so totally worth the hefty (in Ontario, anyway) price tag.
Esther says
It looks great! We desperately need to change our patio doors. Especially now with winter quickly approaching. I love the look of ‘Frenchie’. So much so that I’m going to put that extra cash out and get ‘Frenchie’ II. :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, congrats Esther! Tell your Frenchie that our Frenchie sends her love.
xo
s
Kara says
When I read this post title I’m reminded of the mom on My Big Fat Greek Wedding when she says, “And now the bundt cake!”
Love the doors! They look amazing.
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahaha!
xo
s
Dianne says
What a remarkable difference – seriously, it fits SO well with the feel of your home! We have 15 YO vinyl sliders (the age of our home) and we have wanted to change out for French doors, too. Now that I have your before/after images to show my husband – he can see the potential results. I responsible for most of the DIY around our home, but doors and windows are definitely something I leave for the pros, also.
Just completed a laundry room remodel yesterday and my husband said “no new projects!” – but maybe, just maybe, he’ll give-in for such great function and aesthetic value if the installer can begin after he leaves for work and finish before he comes home.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, good luck Dianne!
xo
s
Wendy says
Love it. Is the outdoor light staying or going? I can’t remember seeing a post on it but you two are so superfluous in projects that I could have have missed it.
YoungHouseLove says
It came with the house but we don’t mind him (there are a few other matching ones around the house that seem to fit in pretty well with the new ORB hardware we’re slowly adding).
xo
s
GreenInOC says
Was the trim (indoor and outdoor) included in the price?
They are gorgeous and I am jealous!!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! Isn’t that awesome? They even caulked everything. All we had to do was paint.
xo
s
Bella says
Speaking of switching things around: like half a year ago I was living with roommates and had a quite small room. It alwas seemed that way too me anyways, then one day I switched around the same furniture I’d had for like a year in that room and added some new bedding and curtains, and a headboard and two bedside lamps (though technically they’re on the headboard, seeing as I have one of those Ikea brimnes storage beds+brimmnes headboard) and really just those few small changes took my room from awfull mess to awesome awesomeness.
Unfortunately I moved like a week ago so we’re back to ground zero.zero zero because I got sick last week and my better half can’t be trusted with this kind of things haha Tomorrow we’ll start with everything (wohoo a trip to ikea!! :P)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw man, I love those stories of rearranging furniture and getting a few new things. Makes me want to rearrange every room in our house! Haha. Good luck with your new place- I bet it’ll be gorgeous!
xo
s
Em says
I vote you paint the outside of the french doors yellow like the front door! And how cool would that look when they’re open into the hall?! Fun pop of color.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw that would be cute! But we went with white since we wanted them to match the other french door (the one that leads into the laundry room from the carport) for balance. Who knows what we’ll do down the road though…
xo
s
AnnaP says
It looks awesome! Did you end up having to paint the actual door or were you just painting the trim? Couldn’t tell from the post. If you painted the metal door, did you just use regular paint or something special? Is there a trick so that you don’t get a lot of brush lines showing?
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
We actually had to paint the doors too (they just come primed, so you have to paint all the trim around the glass and the door itself so they look finished and all the same color. The trick is the small foam roller along with the brush, to smooth things out and keep it thin and even. Hope it helps!
xo
s
Regina says
Totally get the screen door, you’re gonna go crazy opening and shutting that door! There will be times you will be on the deck and one of you will be in the kitchen and you won’t be able to hear each other calling for the ketchup or something!
Melissa @ HOUSEography says
It’s probably pretty rare that anyone would regret a window or door replacement! It makes such a big difference – it’s unbelievable!!
Emma says
Love the french doors. They look great and take you attention away from that electric meter!
Cathy says
I laughed at the thought of screens. My parents put in French doors in their living room and didn’t put in a screen right away but got the doors that could have them added in the future if they chose (from HD as well). After a while they decided to get the screen add on and loved leaving the doors open when the weather was nice. The only downside was that after not having them there originally, their dog and my mom kept running into them in their attempt to go outside. :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! My dog used to do that growing up!
xo
s
Anne says
LOVE the doors!!!! Thanks for sharing! I’m always amazed by how you guys continually make your house better and better.
I was wondering- I know that you mentioned that you were going to leave the doors without curtains. What are you going to do with the curtains now? Are you going to put them anywhere else?
YoungHouseLove says
We actually hung them on the big picture window in the living room (it has the same curtains on it already, so adding two more panels just beefed it up in a pretty and full way :)
xo
s
Laura says
I love the doors, I love the deck, but I’m kind of on the fence about the table being out there. How’s it working for you guys? Do you love it? I picture the lights strung overhead, and big beautiful plants(maybe some vertical ones), and some comfy lounge chairs. Perfect for sitting outside with a big mug of hot tea and a good book. Even an outside couch kind of thing. I don’t know. That’s just what I picture for the amazing deck you guys built. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Laura! The deck works best for eating at a table since it’s off the kitchen and we have the whole patio for lounging and relaxing (that’s through a few rooms and down some steps, so it’s not handy to eat at and right off the kitchen like the deck).
xo
s
Gina says
Love how they both open! Perfect for entertaining…can you pretty please take a picture from the outside with both doors open!
YoungHouseLove says
Will have to do that soon!
xo
s
Suzy B says
Love the new door….thanks for sharing the part about
whether to DIY yourself or hire someone. Many times we
should have hired someone rather than attempt certain projects. It usually is worth spending a little extra to avoid headaches & disagreements, if you know what I mean!!;)
Amanda says
I LOVE them! They look so pretty!
Carolyn L says
Your deck is soooooooo dreamy! I love the light fixture outside :) As a fellow renovator, I understand all of the INSANE hard work that went into that deck. We’re building a powder room/laundry room from scratch. Andrew has a ton of contractor experience but seeing him patiently work through every challenge just amazes me. A huge HUGE pat on the back! xo
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Carolyn! Right back at you and Andrew! Good luck with everything.
xo
s
Sky says
haHAAAA Sherry, dude you crack me up. Love to “hear” you write.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Sky!
xo
s
Ann Marie says
Phone more quick question about painting? I saw you taped off the trim, how about around the window? Do you leave it bare and just use a razor blade to get the paint off the glass?
Frenchie looks amazing, by the way!
YoungHouseLove says
I just freehanded that since I knew I could break out a razor if I needed it to clean off the glass.
xo
s
ashley says
we have that knob in brushed nickel :)