Fix door bell

Q: Our doorbell went quiet a few weeks ago. We enjoyed the silence and reduced soliciting efforts, but our friends complain of sore knuckles from trying to get our attention. So we’d like to get this fixed.
I’m not terrible handy with electrical projects around the house but I suspect this should be relatively simple fix.

A: Doorbells are pretty simple, consisting of a transformer to give 12-16 volts AC, a switch, and the doorbell, with low voltage wire connecting the different components. The circuit looks like transformer->switch->doorbell->transformer. If the transformer doesn’t have power, neither will the doorbell, so make sure you don’t have a tripped breaker in your panel.
Any of the components can go bad, including (but hopefully not) the wiring.

Doorbell switch:Check the voltage to the doorbell switch. You should see voltage if you measure between the two terminals on the button when the button is not pressed. It’s low voltage, so should read about 12-16 volts. If you have voltage there, verify that the voltage goes to zero when you close the switch (by pushing on the button).
If you don’t have voltage at the switch, time to go check the transformer. If you do have voltage at the switch and the button works, time to check the doorbell.

Transformer:Probably in your garage somewhere, on the wall or ceiling. Looks like a small metal block with phone wires going to it. The only exposed terminals on it are low voltage. Check that you have voltage at these. If you don’t, the transformer may be bad. You still want to make sure the transformer itself is getting power. Find the breaker in your breaker panel for the doorbell. Hopefully it’s labeled. If not, carefully (!!!) remove the transformer from the wall and measure the voltage at its input terminals. These are high voltage (120V). If you don’t see 120V, then your problem is hopefully a tripped breaker. If you do see 120V, find the breaker that supplies it and kill the power. With power off, disconnect the transformer and go buy a new one just like it. Note how the wires are connected.

Doorbell:The doorbell usually consists of an electromagnet that moves a rod that strikes the chime. Check that you have voltage to between the two terminals of the doorbell when someone pushes the button. If you do, but you get no chime, replace the doorbell. If you don’t get voltage, check the wiring and connections.

Sliding Doors vs. French Doors

Q: At the risk of starting a huge debate I’m going to ask the question anyway…

1st some background:
We are building a new home and are just fine tuning the elevations on plans with our architect and our contractor.
I, along with my contractors wife and architect, very much like the look and open feel of French doors – our contractor and my husband like the small bit of added security, the 0 clearance, better screen coverage and the lower cost of sliding glass doors. (one set of these will be two sliding doors - sliding, meeting in the middle and locking together).

I’ve had sliding glass doors in other homes and have hated the metal ones. The vinyl one I had was nice, but it was also only about 1 yr old when I left it.
I’ve never had French doors.

Now the questions:
I’m wondering for those of you that have had vinyl sliding doors for a while – are there any problems with them? Such as sticking or going off track?
For those with French doors, any problems or concerns with them? Was the extra cost worth it?
For both – any regrets in installing one vs. the other?

Thank you for your opinions.
If there is interest in a compile I will send out.
I’m sure I’ll be requesting more of your opinions as I get more involved in the process...
If you want to impart any more kernels of wisdom my way (like stay away from granite counters if you use a lot of lemon or use laminate floor in the kids’ rooms till they get older) I would greatly appreciate it.

A: It also depends on the layout of the room. You need to consider the space the French doors need when opened.
Our dining room has sliding doors. French doors would have been nicer, but we would have had to get a smaller dining table if French doors were to swing all the way open, and it would still be awkward to get around the door and the table.

A: I heard this before as well….my thought was “why not have them swing outward if you have a large enough deck/space?”
Thoughts about French doors opening outward?

A: Gotta have fancy hinges to have inside hinges with outside swinging door.

A: You don’t need inside hinges. You can use outside security hinges where the pins can’t be removed.

A: Security hinges are only ½ the solution though. You also need hinge bolts (then even if they drill out or force the hinge bolts the door does not pull out).