Resizing a front entry opening to fit an elegant new French door system.
Double entry door and sidelights replaced with French doors in Elgin, IL, including a reframed, insulated opening and siding integration.
At this custom-built 1970 hillside ranch in Elgin, WarmDreams replaced a double entry door and its two large sidelights with a new French door system and storm doors. This was our second project at this forest-view home. On an earlier visit, we replaced two patio doors.
The new door configuration was narrower than the original opening, which turned a straightforward door replacement into a small structural project. Rather than forcing the fit, our crew built out the wall sections on both sides with new framing, insulation, and drywall, sizing the opening correctly for the French doors. They also removed the adjacent deck planks during installation and put them back once the doors were in, so the work could be completed properly. For Elgin homeowners weighing a change in entry door style, this project shows that an existing opening doesn't have to dictate the new design. The opening can be rebuilt to suit it.
The Challenge
The new French door system was narrower than the original double door and its two large sidelights. Installing it meant leaving open wall space on both sides of the entry, and that space had to be properly closed in.
The Solution
Our crew built out the wall sections on each side of the new doors with fresh framing, insulation, and drywall. The result is a solid, finished surround sized precisely to the French door system and its storm doors.
The Transformation
Project Metrics
Technical Specifications
- Frame material: Fiberglass
- Exterior color: Graphite
- Interior color: White
- Hardware finish: Satin Nickel
Your Investment is Protected
Most WarmDreams windows come with 10-20 year warranties on materials and workmanship, exceeding industry norms. With 90% of our business from referrals, we stand by our guarantees, ensuring long-term peace of mind, as proven by our flawless record with HomeAdvisor.