This was, without exaggeration, one of the biggest door systems we’ve ever installed—and it came with some of the biggest challenges too.
We’re talking about an 8-foot-tall, 42-inch-wide fiberglass door, flanked by two full-height sidelights and capped with an equally massive 8-foot transom window. The sheer scale of the components pushed every aspect of this job—from fabrication to installation—into completely new territory.
The Challenge of Going Big
The install took six people, multiple ladders, a scaffold, and a serious dose of can-do attitude. 😂
The original plan was to use heavy machinery, which is honestly the preferred approach when handling glass and frames of this size, especially that oversized transom. But site conditions ruled out equipment access, so we had no choice but to do it the old-school way: by hand. It wasn’t the easiest route, but with everyone fully in sync, we made it work.
The biggest surprises weren’t just during installation. In production, we ran into several unique challenges:
Sourcing and handling extra-large glass and metal grill for the transom
Ensuring everything lined up perfectly with such tall and wide pieces
Assembling it all with the precision required for airtightness, performance, and structural integrity
Let’s just say, this was not your average door.
Why Take It On?
Honestly? Part of me took on this job just to prove that we could do it. I knew it would be tough—but I also knew that, if pulled off properly, the result would be unforgettable. And it was. The finished look is bold, dramatic, and truly one-of-a-kind.
Jobs like this are reminders of why we do what we do. It’s not just about routine installs. It’s about pushing boundaries, solving real-world challenges on-site, and building things that leave an impression for decades.
This one? Definitely one for the books.