[BlueSideUp]

We have an older house built in 1953 that we rent out in Salt Lake City, Utah. The house is brick over cinder block and all of the windows have been replaced with vinyl double panes. The doors however have never been replaced. The rear door is an aluminum slider and the front is a standard wood door.

The most recent tenants moved out last month and I am looking to replace these two doors. I could attempt it myself but I really need to get it done and I suspect there may be complications due to the age of the home.

The front door is a 36" wide door (38" opening) but it's a little short at 80.5". The jam is 5 1/4" because of the cinder construction. I think this will be the easiest to replace since a minimum I can buy a new solid core wood door and cut it down to fit. I went through Home Depot thinking they would be able to get the job done quickly and they went a little crazy. They suggested a custom fiberglass 6 panel door. The total price was $425 and a two week wait for just the door! I called a local millworks and they quoted $284 for a pre-hung wood six panel with a 4 day wait.

The rear slider is the problem. It measures 80.5" tall but is 70.5" wide. The standard size is 71.5" so we're short by 1" and there is no room to change the opening. For a flush fin vinyl slider with low-e glass Home Depot wants $725. I've thought about doing a normal opening door but there isn't any room for it inside or out on the rear landing.

After all the installation charges we're up to a quote of $2200 for two doors!

Do you guys have any advice for getting these doors replaced and the house rented out? Do you think a wood front door would be nearly as good as a fiberglass unit? What is the best solution for the small rear slider?

Thanks for the advice!