I need to replace the exterior sliding door, that’s been there since house was built in 1978, and is extremely hard to open or close. I’ve thought of French doors or a more updated sliding door. My current tenant is a friend & has 3 dogs ranging in size from a Great Pyrenees, to pit bulls. She wants French doors put in. Which is more practical? If I get a nice sliding door & she wants something else, do I make her pay the difference or just say no? Any help is appreciated. Thank you! --64.130.xx.xxx

If she wants to have the door upgraded from a slider to a hinged French door style, IMO she should either pay the difference or perhaps agree to have the rent increased. --72.93.xxx.xx

About 15 or so years ago, I began replacing those horrible aluminum sliding doors. I went with the French doors. Primed and painted the trim….. now years later, I have had several that are starting to rot out on the lower door frame. As the aluminum threshold gets wet, caused the water to wick up in the wood , causing rot….. luckily a few years ago I switched back to sliders when I did away with the aluminum sliders, so far, the vinyl sliders are pleasing to look at and no wood rot. Another minor issue with the French door. We have a lot of foundation issues in our area, with slabs moving in the summer when it doesn’t rain, that has caused some issues with alignment of the French doors. As for me, from now on, it’s vinyl sliders. --47.32.xxx.xxx

I’m quite confident… But you can replace the rollers in that slider, and it will roll like new. I own a condo on the ocean in Florida, and about every two years I replace the rollers. Works like a charm. --107.10.xx.xx

A door that uses a compression type of gasket is much more air tight then a sliding door where wear the gasket or seal will wear out. Patio doors come in two sizes which are 5' and 6" width where carefully check dimensions as some doors are not made to the standard height and width specifications. Low E glass will offer a energy saving all year round. Like everything there are builders line of doors which cost less upfront but do not last as long. The warranty is up then the builder does not have to replace. Shop at a few different stores then compare door hardware and other specifications. It does not have to be the most expensive patio but one that is built well. --68.69.xxx.xxx

I think I'm so smart, but tenants can throw me a some problems. I replaced a sliding glass doors with Swinging French doors. But since the had a medium dog, I removed one of the French door pains of glass and replaced it with a doggy door. But my next tenants either had a tiny rat dog or a hung monster beast, that the medium dog door I had installed was either too big or too small. Now I've learned you try to do something nice and it back fires 66% of the time. --47.156.xx.xx

As for who pays, you do...you mention it's hard to open and close. --99.92.xxx.xxx

This year I finally replaced the last slider with a regular door and a panel with a single hung window, why? nothing fits thru a slider - a 60 some wide opening that barely opens to 24. My brother hired someone to change a slider to french doors and has sealing issues, I mentioned I was doing away with sliders but he did not listen to the filler part of the story. You can not add a animal door on a slider. --76.190.xxx.xxx

Vee, you can add a dog door to a slider. The unit is the full height of the slider with the dog door on the bottom. It attaches into the frame and the sliding door closes against it. Available at Chewy and Petco. Don't know if they make one big enough for a Great Pyrenees though. --107.141.xx.xxx

--108.201.xx.xx

I want to think everyone so far for all of the info & suggestions. I know it needs to be cleaned & I think at one time wd-40 was used on it. I’ve heard that’s a big no no. Who or what type of person would I call to come look at the door or to have the rollers replaced? If I could just have it work correctly for now, I’d be happy. I agree renting to friends/family, B A D I D E A! ! I’m a pushover & I want to help others, however it’s usually to my detriment. I would like to replace the door, because it’s something I’ve wanted to do for years & replace it with something more energy efficient. I’m happy to have run across this site! Thank you all!! --107.77.xxx.xxx

Welcome Kim, read here daily! --172.56.xx.xxx

French doors are also difficult to find a type of window covering that can be used with them. --76.178.xxx.xxx

--24.101.xxx.xxx

WD40 is a rust inhibitor not a lube. we use wd 40 for cleaning grease off our hands and tools. You use moly grease for bearings. WD actually removes the lube. You can replace the rollers but need some skill for that. You do know at the bottom of the doors there are holes for adjusting the rollers up and down? Before willie nillie tricks make sure the rollers have the door jacked up and off the slider. Screw in for higher and then adjust left and right to level. --108.239.xx.xx