Thanks in part to President Obama’s tax rebate, we’re getting energy efficient windows installed in our house. Even though our home is relatively new (built in 1995), the builders installed the cheapest aluminum-frame windows imaginable. On cold days, the glass, coated with ice, bleeds out heat.
We figured that while we got new windows, we may as well replace our back door with a sliding glass door. I’ve wanted a sliding glass door since we moved into the house five years ago. As you can see from the photo, our current door is inches away from the breakfast bar. Because of this, the person sitting closest to the door must get up to let another person in or out of the house. It’s an inconvenience, to say the least.
So last week, two window guys arrived to take measurements for the sliding glass door. It was supposed to be a quick, 10-minute visit. But when one of the guys walked up to door, he noticed the vent on the floor. The 10-minute visit soon turned into an hour as he checked out every nook and cranny of our home, tape measure in hand. Meanwhile, I stood in the kitchen, nonchalantly scrubbing the same area of countertop. It looks to me like there plenty of wall space to cut in a sliding glass door—what’s up?
The window guy finally told me. “Putting in a sliding glass door would be difficult because you’ve got air ducts running up the middle of the wall to the top floor of the house,” he said. “We’d have to move the ducts over, which would have to be done by a HVAC guy, and that’s not in your initial quote.”
Oh. Five years of staring at a blank wall, wishing, wanting, hoping, went poof! in that instant. Well, almost. The window guy suggested moving the door over 14 inches to make room for a sidelight window. It wouldn’t be as convenient as a sliding glass door, but at least my husband and I can sit at the bar in peace while our kids run in and out of the back door.
I’ll take it.
We figured that while we got new windows, we may as well replace our back door with a sliding glass door. I’ve wanted a sliding glass door since we moved into the house five years ago. As you can see from the photo, our current door is inches away from the breakfast bar. Because of this, the person sitting closest to the door must get up to let another person in or out of the house. It’s an inconvenience, to say the least.
So last week, two window guys arrived to take measurements for the sliding glass door. It was supposed to be a quick, 10-minute visit. But when one of the guys walked up to door, he noticed the vent on the floor. The 10-minute visit soon turned into an hour as he checked out every nook and cranny of our home, tape measure in hand. Meanwhile, I stood in the kitchen, nonchalantly scrubbing the same area of countertop. It looks to me like there plenty of wall space to cut in a sliding glass door—what’s up?
The window guy finally told me. “Putting in a sliding glass door would be difficult because you’ve got air ducts running up the middle of the wall to the top floor of the house,” he said. “We’d have to move the ducts over, which would have to be done by a HVAC guy, and that’s not in your initial quote.”
Oh. Five years of staring at a blank wall, wishing, wanting, hoping, went poof! in that instant. Well, almost. The window guy suggested moving the door over 14 inches to make room for a sidelight window. It wouldn’t be as convenient as a sliding glass door, but at least my husband and I can sit at the bar in peace while our kids run in and out of the back door.
I’ll take it.
8 comments:
Well, at least they didn't knock the wall out and then say, let's call the HVAC guy in! I'm glad they found a good solution for you. :)
That sounds like a fair enough option. Glad they were able to come up with something, even if it's not exactly what you had in mind.
Argh! I hate that. Can't they just wave their magic wand and do what they need to do?
Aw man! At least there's a solution...not the ideal solution, but at least one that doesn't involve ripping out the HVAC! And I don't really like my sliding glass door; it's gotten stiff and hard to move, and the screen door doesn't automatically shut behind the boys so I spend all summer screaming, "SHUT THE SCREEN!" Good times, good times...LOL
Oh, and a little bling coming your way as soon as I hit post. ;)
If we lived closer, I would send J over to check out your duct work! I'm glad you'll get a little more light and slightly more peace with your contractor's solution!
xo
Typical. These kind of things happen to me all the time. Can't wait to see the finished product.
That sucks! But at least you have a compromise. And what were they thinking when the put the door so close to the bar or vice versa?
We really need to replace our windows. I think they're from the 20s, but it will cost a fortune since they're all so tall.
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