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                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1


                                Vinson & Elkins
                                ATTORNEYS AT LAW

                             VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P.
                           3700 TRAMMELL CROW CENTER
                                2001 ROSS AVENUE
                            DALLAS, TEXAS 75201-2975
                            TELEPHONE (214) 220-7700


                                 March 10, 1997



Atrium Companies, Inc.
1341 W. Mockingbird Lane
Suite 1200W
Dallas, TX  75247

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel for Atrium Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), in connection with the registration of $100 million aggregate
principal amount 10 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006 (the "Notes") under
the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") on a Registration Statement
on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement").

         In reaching the opinion set forth in this letter, we have reviewed
originals or copies of the Registration Statement, an executed counterpart of
the Indenture dated as of November 27, 1996, between the Company and United
States Trust Company of New York, as trustee (the "Indenture"), and such other
agreements, certificates of public officials, certificates of officers of the
Company, certificates of other persons, records, documents and matters of law
as we deemed relevant.

         Based on and subject to the foregoing and subject further to the
assumptions, exceptions and qualifications hereinafter stated, we express the
opinion that, subject to compliance with applicable federal and state
securities laws (as to which we express no opinion), the New Notes (as defined
in the Registration Statement), when executed, authenticated, issued and
delivered in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and when delivered in
exchange for the Old Notes (as defined in the Registration Statement), will
constitute legally binding obligations of the Company, subject to bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, reorganization, moratorium and
other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights
and to general equitable principles.

         The opinion expressed above is subject to the following assumptions,
exceptions and qualifications:
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Securities and Exchange Commission
March 10, 1997
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         (a)     We have assumed that (1) all information contained in all
documents reviewed by us is true and correct, 1. all signatures on all
documents reviewed by us are genuine, 2. all documents submitted to us as
originals are true and complete, 3. all documents submitted to us as copies are
true and complete copies of the originals thereof, 4. each natural person
signing any document reviewed by us had the legal capacity to do so, 5. each
natural person signing in a representative capacity any document reviewed by us
had authority to sign in such capacity, and 6. the laws of any jurisdiction
other than Texas that govern any of the documents reviewed by us (other than
the Company's certificate of incorporation and bylaws) do not modify the terms
that appear in any such document.

         (b)     The opinion expressed in this letter is limited to the laws of
the State of Texas, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and
the federal laws of the United States of America.  You should be aware that we
are not admitted to the practice of law in the State of Delaware.

         (c)     We note that the Indenture provides that it is governed by the
laws of the State of New York.  While we express no opinion with respect to the
laws of the State of New York, we have assumed that the internal laws of the
State of New York are the same as the internal laws of the State of Texas.  We
have made no investigation to confirm whether such assumption is correct.

         This opinion may be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
Consent is also given to the reference to this firm under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement as having
passed on certain legal matters in connection with the Notes.  In giving this
consent we do not admit that we come within the category of persons whose
consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.

         This opinion speaks as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any duty to
advise you regarding any changes subsequent to the date hereof in, or to
otherwise communicate with you with respect to, the matters addressed herein.

                                        Very truly yours,


                                        /s/ VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P.