For exterior doors and transoms above, the transoms look best if they are at least a 1'-6" clear opening, since the transom trim reduces that dimension by 4" or more, depending on trim acutally used.

For 10' interior ceilings I would use a 6'-8" door and at least a 1'-6" (or more) transom.

What is the head height for all of your windows?

If I use and 8ft door I wasn’t going to use any transom. Not sure the answer to your question but I believe my windows will be the 8ft height of the interior doors?

But I am not sure. We have a really great designer so I am confident he did he window height whatever the appropriate way would be in his opinion but I guess u should check.

I would want to know the finished height of both options and how they might look next to each other.

The designer likely also determined the entry door height and I'm guessing 8' as it would be standard today with 10' plates. While I do like Virgil's rationale, I'd use sidelites only.

i rarely see 6'8" entry doors in anything new except less expensive production & never in custom unless its built by a former flipper who uses the big box flipper supply store.... (or my 1957 era personal home with the 7' entry ceiling). 8' entry doors are usually build to order even if a standard pattern... 6-8 weeks.

I don't think 8' is necessary aesthetically, and the downsides are greater cost and increased height increasing the possibility of more warping. I have pretty tall ceilings in most of my house, but pairing normal height doors with transoms works fine for me. See if this appeals to you or not:

Front door:

Dining room:

My designer says to do 8ft doors and that he never had problems with it. My contractor says he does more regular size with transom, and he said he had trouble getting the taller size to seal. A high end production builder in the area is doing regular door with transom.

I think its more cost effective to just get the 8ft doors so most likely that’s going to be my route. Thanks for all the input:)

Thanks for the tip! I love the look of sidelights the main problems I am running into is people being able to see in and I like the look of windows on the door but once again I like to close all windows. I could cover the sidelights or I guess get glass that isn’t see through....just isn’t really in style right now.

I have 8' doors internal and external on 10'ft. ceilings first floor and all windows are at the 8' height. Upstairs, with 9' ceilings, I have standard size doors 6'8". But I have no important rooms upstairs (bonus area.)

back in the day, 8' entry doors, wind and impact rates, we're ridiculously expensive. I don't think that's a truism anymore.
I think your dilemma is actually a bit unusual.a number of homes here use a higher entry door than interior, if that height is hidden by a porch.
unless there is a huge cost factor, I'd do an 8' entry door if interior doors and windows are hung at 8'. I like to see everything in plane.

I suppose climate matters as does material for door.

Triple point locks are mandatory in some areas for 8 foot doors. That can raise the cost. Our last house had 8 foot double doors for 8 years and no warpage issues. But a cheap 8 foot door might have issues.

I would not do sidelites personally for the issue you mention - privacy. In my area, they are out of style.

We did an 8ft door AND a transom. :) No sidelight. All interior doors are 8ft.

Regarding warpage & multipoint locking... I would strongly suggest that main entry doors are fully covered by deep overhangs that prevent direct sun on the entry door. If you do this, wood doors with composite cores, fully sealed on all six sides, single point locks usually perform fine. There are also some great looking fiberglass versions of many doors.

Read your door warranty and make sure you meet requirements.

If you have an exposed door, use something higher end with layers of weather-stripping and multipoint. I'll typically use Anderson or Eagle clad French for these issues & have just installed a few pairs of Milgard French.

We're building homes that shed water, not submarines.

So....my contractor tells me to get the French doors that seal well I need top of the line Anderson doors that will be 10,000. I then ask how much slider will be and he says half so I assume 5,000. To confirm the contractors price of 10,000 I call Home Depot to price there most expensive French door by Anderson. To which Home Depot says 4,800.....now I don’t know why my contractor told me 10,000.

Holly-

Because he has a 100% markup and thought he could get away with it....

Plus he has to install the door. Home Depot only sells the door...:-)

$5200 over retail sounds a little pricey for an install, especially since he can get the door at a lower price with a contractor discount....

Yep...I agree! Need to check that boy's prices and workmanship!

My husband called the contractor and he said he never said $10,000.....I recall that’s what he said? So I guess there was some confusion on what he meant. So........maybe there was a misunderstanding???

What did he say, then?

I feel like I remember the contractor saying 10,000 but thinking I could have been confused?!?! We ended up going with the contractor. Hoping things go smoothly.