Patio Door Alside 6100 vs Patio Door Simonton 5300

[Kate2]

Patio Door Alside 6100 vs Patio Door Simonton 5300. Which one do you recommend and why? Both would be installed by small local contractors. I am purposefully not comparing it to Simonton 5500, because I know that answer.

Also, this door faces west and gets a lot of sun. I read that LowE glass can actually make the heating bill bigger in the winter. I am wondering if I should get LowE glass or clear glass. I am not as concerned about air conditioning in the summer because we don’t use it as much. I am in Chicago area.

I would also want a comparison to Climateguard Door, but I don’t know how many people are familiar with that one.

[Skydawggy]

I go with almost anything made by Simonton over anything made by Alside. Comparing these 2 doors is no different. I'd also suggest you get the steel rollers and multi-point lock.

[Kate2]

Simonton 5300 is their mid / low range basic door (below 5500). Alside 6100 is their high price door (above 5100).

Simonton 5300 is $225 less than Simonton 5500. That's why I am thinking about 5300.

>steel rollers and multi-point lock

How much are these options? What does multi-point lock do?

[Skydawggy]

A multipoint lock for securing a door to a door frame includes a tie bar longitudinally movable on the door with two latch members adjustably secured laterally relative thereto. The latch members are modular with hooks for selectively securing to the tie bar and other latch members. A metal face plate is securable over a door side groove with the tie bar movably secured to the plate in the groove at at least two locations by securing members extending through openings in the plate, tie bar and a plastic spacer. The securing members each include a longitudinal body member with parallel longitudinal sides cooperating with a tie bar slot to guide the tie bar. Rivets at ends of the securing members are secured to the plate. A link, pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis, has one arm driveably engaging the tie bar to selectively move the tie bar vertically toward a disengaged position. A handle member, pivotable about a substantially vertical axis on the door when pulled horizontally, driveably engages a second pivot link arm. A keeper base, securable to the door frame, selectively spaces two keeper hooks which cooperate with the latch members to secure the door to the frame. The keeper base is securable along one side to the frame and includes a projecting portion which visibly marks the frame when pressed thereagainst. An alignment guide supports the keeper hooks in a cooperative position with the latch members prior to securing to the frame.

[Skydawggy]

Ooooops......It has 2 lock doo-hickeys instead of 1.

[Kate2]

I just called the Alside guy to make sure that he is offering 6100 door (not 5100). He verified that and in addition knocked down my price by another $100. So I can get 6100 door and Sheffield window (60wide by 50 high, wood grain) for $1900.

For Simonton, the window (5500, super spacer, wood grain) and door (5300, super spacer, white) is $2372.

Still don't know what do to.

[buddy110]

I have 6 Alside doors in my sunroom. I'm quite happy with them. They have a three point, multi lock system and an additional dead bolt on the back side which can be used to lock the door fully closed or slightly open. They always slide well and have cam type adjustable wheels. The screens also move with ease

[Kate2]

Buddy,

Thanks for your feedback. Do you go into the sunroom in the winter? How is air leakage?

Did you get any other upgrades? Like steel rollers?

[buddy110]

Buddy,

Thanks for your feedback. Do you go into the sunroom in the winter? How is air leakage?

Did you get any other upgrades? Like steel rollers?

Yes, I got the steel rollers. I spend all year in there. We have four radiant heat panels on the ceiling and honestly it stays warmer in there than the rerst of my home which is forced air. They seem very air tight.

[Kate2]

>>They have a three point, multi lock system and an additional dead bolt on the back side

Are "multi lock system" and "steel rollers" included in the standard 6100 door? Or are these additional options added separately? When I read about 6100 door, I don't see "multi lock system" mentioned.

[Kate2]

I found this booklet. It talks about "Interior vent foot lock". But not multi-lock system.

americanwindowssiding.com

[buddy110]

Oh crap! I'm home sick today and my mind was not with it. I have Thermal Industries doors NOT Alside doors. I wouldn't own an Alside window product, period.

[Kate2]

LOL, Buddy.

I did find few posts which said Alside 6100 door is ok.

[TheWindowNerd]

Buddy the TI slider that is a monorail system?
I always had good sucess with them.

[Skydawggy]

Buddy the TI slider that is a monorail system?
I always had good sucess with them.

I like the TI SGD too. Only thing I don't like is the monorail track is easy to trip on.