Will you be connecting the patio outside to the door area? I would vote for the four panel door option in white. We have a large 16’ slider that leads to our deck off the kitchen. Love all the light

I would also go with a big slider, but get the header moved up so you can have taller sliders. Paying extra to have the header moved up will be well worth it. The taller glass will change the look of the space and it will feel more updated as well, as new materials and technology have allowed windows/doors to be manufactured in larger sizes compared to even a decade ago.

I have 10 ft tall slider with 12 ft high ceilings.

Thank you for the advice so far! Yes the doors will open up to a cement patio and the backyard since I am on a slab. Existing header is 84” and ceiling height is 10’. Room is 15’8” (window wall) x 15’3”. Adding a new header adds $5k to the cost.

No reason you can't place another chair next to the sofa.

Get engineering help if you haven't done so. Walls surrounding windows may be needed to keep the structure from racking (collapsing like a cardboard box). Such help may be required for a permit.

Thank you! Hiring a well known installation company with a construction crew. Is this something I should worry that they won’t be doing for the project? Also that is a very good point about getting a permit.

I would just ask them. We replaced all the windows and doors at a previous home and the team did it all and knew way more than we did. We did need a permit but it went under the broader permit of our entire house renovation and in a few rooms we did need additional work done to ensure everything was stable.

Installation company raises a flag in my mind. Exchanging like for like is one thing. Enlarging an opening=structural alteration and a whole can of worms.

I could be wrong, but if they didn't mention engineering or permits, they are likely not providing. If they suggest that you get a permit, DON'T DO IT. Make the contractor get the permit.

Another poster mentioned getting taller sliders. Be careful. Might look good inside, but could mess up the exterior. Is the exterior made of brick?

Don't know which direction the window wall faces. Larger opening could increase sun/heat load, which would tax the AC system.

Are you under an HOA?

On opposite end it appears that both doors open into the entry. Could one door be eliminated? That would provide more options for furniture placement.

An architect might help with this whole process. I can speak from experience. After Miss K(atrina) did her thing I thought I could design another house. Gave it my best shot, but my wife said "no, we need help". Found the architect. We were, and still are, amazed with the results.

Ok, I'll stop.

This is what I have, two stationary side panels, sliding doors, retractable screens. Perfect all year long, and so accessible to your patio (as in open the doors/screen and you can walk out with a large tray). We have two of them...one in the living/dining room and one in our bedroom, both gives us easy access to the pool area. Not budget, but worth every penny.

And there is no space lost you would have with a swing in door.

https://www.andersenwindows.com/windows-and-doors/doors/sliding-patio-doors/a-series-gliding-patio-door

Something to consider:

Imagine the curtains all across the wall.

Now imagine that the curtains are open. The stacked curtains will be about as wide as existing side walls.

If curtains are same size as walls, why remove walls?

If walls stay, you don't gain much area for glass

If you don't gain much area, welllll......

Is the juice worth the squeeze?

Would you put curtains across the slider? We don’t have anything on ours and love it

Check original post.

It looks like you have quite a nice looking private back yard so I would opt for the 4-panel door.

I'd do exactly what lisedv photoshopped. perfect.

moving the chair like Beverly posted, next to fireplace would look better, IMO

Love these ideas and thank you lisedv for the mock up! This is super helpful. I will go with the doors across. Now to decide: black or white, grids or no grids (like your photo), and one last question and possible issue: the air vents are directly next to where the curtains would hang on either side with about 6-8” distance from the outside wall. I would hang curtains in either scenario since I spend every evening in this room.

No grids and white

No grids. White would likely match the window frames in the rest of your home, and you need to consider how it looks from the outside not just the inside.

No construction crew is ever responsible for the structure of your home. They are merely fullfilling a request you asked of them. I would certainly get an engineering consult on this just to be sure.

I see one section of the diffuser that is aimed at the window wall. Are you getting dust/dirt on the wall in those areas? If so you might need to clean curtains more often.

We have sliders and 10' ceilings in our bedroom. I toyed with the idea of ceiling length curtains. Realized how easy it is to unclip the 7' curtains and throw them in the washer. So I told myself "wouldn't be prudent at this juncture".

You can also just do stationary panels to add softness and color/pattern and install a Hunter Douglas Vertiglide shade (or similar) for privacy at night.

I have the Vertiglides on our media room sliders and master bedroom slider.

If you have them open from each side, when stacked back they will be hidden by the stationary panels.

Get them in a white color that matches your trim.

Not mine, just an online example.