"HerHusband" wrote in message
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I also do not want to narrow the frame as we want the light,
and don't want to try matching
the interior/exterior finishes.

did you consider narrowing the frame down for a 36" wide door, use a door
with a window for light, even if a small window in the top of the door, fill
in gap on each side of door with solid materials (maybe even pillars, split
vertically and put 1/2 inside and/or 1/2 outside) or 4" glass block on each
side?