Please can anybody help with thoughts or advice here.
We have a house on the coast, built 1912ish. When it was first built it had an open-fronted arched storm porch which was later enclosed with 2 large wooden doors with window panels in the top (pic attached). Unfortunately these doors have now fallen apart, the arch is boarded up and we are having to use our back door.
I thought it would be a simple job to replace them but we have asked 3 local recommended manufacturing joiners/carpenters, 2 of whom said they would not do the job as impossible to do with modern wood, etc and the third said he would do it but would not guarantee it and would really recommend upvc alternatives. Apparently modern wood, even seasoned hardwood, is likely to twist in the coastal weather conditions (the doors will get direct sun and the wind, blown sand and salt directly off the sea).
We then approached several double glazing companies, all of whom have come up with loads of problems but no solutions. The problems include:
The arch is 2.7m tall and double doors cannot be made that tall
Doors which are big enough would be too heavy for the hinges to support
The curve of the arch starts quite low so hinges would be too low to take the weight without side inserts which then makes double doors too narrow
Composite doors are a maximum of 6'6" tall which looks like a hobbit door when put in the arch
Ultimately the joiners are recommending plastic and the double glazing people say we'd be better finding a joiner! I just want somebody to take the money and do the job! We would prefer a double glazed alternative for practical reasons (like insulation and low maintenance) if it can be done well. Can anybody see a good solution here please?