"But she won't let me install sliding doors leading to the back deck/porch....."

Learn from this "mistake", do NOT write a sentence that contains the words............"she won't let me" 
While that may indeed may be your situation, you're not helping your (image) and/or status as the (head of the household) by relating that info. 
If she makes a ton of more money than you and you are not the overall "bread winner", then it is what it is..........but I'm suggesting you don't let anyone else know that is how your situation happens to be. 
Way too many times, have I seen the statement......................I want to get a bike and/or a boat and/or whatever else, but "she won't let me"..................... 
Well those who know me will understand that the sentence was written in jest

but in response to my "mistake"

those same people will also understand when I say that there is no singular "head of the household" here, at least as you seem to define that role......major decisions around here, be it paying for college, saving for our golden years which are rapidly approaching, or a major purchase - be it a bike, car or the newest HDTV - are discussed before hand...and our household is better of because of that.
And I think my image is doing just fine
in spite of because of that and other factors, thank you very much...
I do find it interesting that you seem to also equate earning power or lack thereof with someones worthiness of your respect

being judgmental in that way may prevent the creation of some great friendships....after all my wife is a highly intelligent college graduate, a CPA, an AVP at her employer (you know what those letters stand for right?

) -- so yes she does earn more than me, the lowly technical college alumni, who also happens to have a very well paying career.
But alas, you would apparently prefer to look down on me as some sort of "loser" in the big old book of life because of those factors
For what it's worth, in my experience when a man states "she won't let me" to his buddies when referring to a major purchase - it's usually a "macho" way of saying "I can't afford it"
Back on topic. I will continue to keep the bikes in the garage, since that's where all my tools and cleaning supplies are and I'm to lazy to keep walking back and forth to retrieve things.