I would not purchase windows or doors at a box store and the step down in quality from Integrity by Marvin to Jeldwen is about 6'-8" (no comparison). There is a reason quality companies do not put blinds between the glass, there is no quality way to do it...

I know I know. that what my thinking as well. but then what is the best way to block the oppressive western sun from cooking us through the sliding door? regular blinds just arent a good option (we have 2 boys under 3 yrs old who like to pull on things, and how would blinds over a slider work anyway? how do you get though the door when they're down?). growing up we had curtains covering our sliding patio door and I hated it.

this may be one of those times when convenience trumps quality.

but how bad can big box jeld wen be? are we talking delamination of the clad exterior? water leaks? poor thermal performance? fogging of the glass? or do the just generally fall apart?

I disagree that blinds between the glass are a bad idea. Sunrise makes on of the best doors available and they offer lift & tilt and tilt only. All Sunrise Patio doors come with a transferable lifetime warranty and Sunrise also uses hard-coat LoE with the blinds to help reduce solar gain. I would see if there is a Sunrise dealer in your area and have a look. It's a very nice door.

OK, I guess I was thinking more of the Pella, Jeldwen quality wise but I am not familiar with Sunrise vinyl. That being the case I am not sold on blinds between the glass on these brands.

I put in a couple of dozen doors with blinds last year. Haven't had a single call back except for one that came in damaged. The only downside of having the blinds is you cannot get argon gas and it has to be a hard coat LoE because the blinds can scratch the softcoats. Most manufacturers will not offer even a hardcoat LOE. That's why I recommended Sunrise. BBG is a very popular option and we sell it on nearly half of all our patio door orders.

Thanks for the info Eco, as I mentioned the only thing I was familiar with is the crap that is out there. Also never thought about that fact with the glass and Hardcoat vs Softcoat Low E. Something else to put in the memory bank.

well I called sunrise. thier door is vinyl, which I don't want. they also don't have a dealer nearby. they said they have just begun to offer an improved internal blind system - the same system as in the Jeld Wen doors (no strings).

so it looks like Menards Jeld Wen it is. and it's only $993 in stock.

I wish I wish Marvin offered internal blinds in their integrity doors...

Did you ever purchase the jeld wen door with the blinds???? If so how are they working for you?