nealtw

They have a molding on one door to hold the weather strip. It is usually adds 1/2 or 3/4 " to the width.

drew2000

Here is the picture with the transom...

joecaption

Give these people a call and see if they will give you a price. If not let me know and I''ll call them for you. I have an account there and as long as you pay for it when it's picked up they could care less who picks it up.
http://www.lansingbp.com/locations.html

nealtw

Most times you want to keep everything the same size so the brick molding on the out side fits the siding. If that is the case then you are heading for custom. If that would be an easy change out there then I would pull the molding and measure the rough opening and take a close look at the shims beside the door to find the usable rough opening. Don't forget to cut the paint before pulling molding.

It looks like the header was built into the floor system upstairs, changing it is out of the question.

drew2000

Thanks Everyone,

I appreciate all of your posts, I feel like you are all helping me get closer to making a good choice. Unfortunately there seems to be a lot of smoke and mirrors with door sales, so it is hard for the "average joe" to know who to trust.

Question: The first contractor said that they would use the existing transom, the second said it MUST be replaced because it is part of the door. These are both reputable businesses with experience installing doors. What do you think?

I have the third estimate scheduled for Tuesday.

Drew

joecaption

Depends on how they were attached. The door and the window at one point were two differant pieces, there not made together in 99% of the cases in newer units. Old wooden doors came as one piece and could not come apart.
Some use metal plates on the sides, some use corrigated fastners, but until it comes out or at least the trims pulled, there's no way to tell how it was attached.

nealtw

Sealed windows are only good for so long, after spending all the time and money, I would change it out for a new one.

joecaption

I also would change out the whole thing, there going to have to break the seal on the outside between the two to get it apart.
I'd also order the new window with deviders in the top glass instead of one big window.