Door type

7 years ago

I have a dilemma. We have just started our extension and want advice on types of doors. We have two openings. One which is approx 2.96m wide and the other is approx 2m wide. The are both on the same plane and overlook the garden. The dining table/area leads off the smaller opening where as the kitchen leads off the larger. The query is do we do the same type of doors? My preference is for sliding doors. Or do we do french patio doors for the smaller opening with sliding for the larger. Have toyed with the idea of bi-folds but prefer the large panes of glass you get with sliding. Or do we even block up the smaller opening and create a large picture window. Any advice much appreciated

Featured Answer

PRO

IDSystems

7 years ago

Hi Jannoh,

I'll start by saying that we supply and award winning bifold doors and sliding doors plus French doors so we have no bias towards recommending any particular system or configuration.

There are a number of ways of approaching this and the advice we would offer would depend on your answers to a number of questions. Could I ask that you drop us an email to marketing@idsystems.co.uk with your contact details and any plans, and we can then talk you through the options that you have and the cost implications of each route. Alternatively you can give one of our technical design team a call on 01603 408804.

Kind regards
IDSystems

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Comments (7)

PRO
Centor Europe Ltd
7 years ago
Hi jannoh

You don’t necessarily have to use the same type of doors for your extension but it is always best to choose your doors from the same manufacturer. This will ensure continuity of style throughout the extension.

Also, since your doors will overlook your garden, you may want to consider getting integrated screens for your opening as well. This will prevent any unwanted insects from getting inside. Centor Integrated Doors provide a variety of door options with the added benefit of integrated screens and shade options.

Kind regards

Emily
PRO
Timber Master LTD
7 years ago
Hi Jannoh

do you have a photo or design to upload?

We wouldn't worry about different doors- if they are the same colour and you use the same ironmongery then they will work together. Really its about preference of style. You are right that bifold doors have a lot of timber between the glazing so you do loose a bit of light.

If you have the space then bifold doors are still a great option as you can really open up the space between your house and garden but they also have a master door for quick in/out access. They are roughly (£1k per leaf)

Or lift and slide doors are the new alternative to the traditional sliding door which again give you a big opening and lots of glazing so you get lots of light flooding in.

If you wanted to keep costs down then having one as a fixed window and one as an opening would do that, keeping the frames the same colour they would still compliment each other. If you brick up the smaller space slightly for a smaller picture window then this will give you more wall space internally and potentially more space for units which could be useful.

For a more traditional look you could go for french doors as they do give you a lot of light and are more reasonable in cost.

good luck with your project.
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PRO
Crayon Architects
7 years ago
Morning Jannoh,

As the other comments have touched on; I don't think it matters of you have two different door types as long as the frames are the same material or colour it will look right. Also if you can get the same door heights they will the in nicely.

Something to consider, if you have no other openings in the room is to perhaps include an opening window or sidelight. You may not always want to open a door for ventilation on a rainy day for example.

Kind regards, Andrea
jannoh
Original Author
7 years ago

Hi all, thanks for the comments. Really very useful. Good point centor europe about keeping insects out. see attached plans where you'll be able to see the openings I have mentioned. In the window in the lounge we plan to have a large picture window, you can then see the two openings, then the window on the angle in the kitchen. Hopefully that helps.

Thanks,

John
PRO
Centor Europe Ltd
7 years ago
Hi John

Thanks for the plan. We’ve discussed your dilemma with our in-house architect and he has some suggestions for you; 

"Without knowing the layout of the garden, I assume that the large angled picture window in the kitchen looks towards a nice view and the kitchen door opens to a terrace or usable outdoor area – is this correct? If so, I suggest considering a Folding Door in the kitchen. When open, a Folding Door will provide a full width opening extending the house – and your lives – out into the garden in the summer time. Although Sliding Doors generally have fewer vertical mullions and hence more glass, a Folding Door of 2.96m wide will only require 3-panels compared with 2-panels for Sliding Door of the same width. The minor loss of visual connection would be offset by a significantly improved physical connection when the doors are open. A 3-panel Folding Door will also provide the benefit of one panel acting as a single swing door when you just want to pop in and out without opening the entire door.

In the Dining room, will the door be used to access the garden often or is it more about the view? If it is about the view then a fixed picture window or Sliding Door would work. But if you like opening your house up to the garden then consider either a French Door or a 2-panel Folding Door (2L) to benefit from the full width of the opening. Aesthetically the panel sizes would be very similar and complementary to the 3-panel Folding Door in the kitchen."

We hope this helps!

Emily
jannoh
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi Emily,

Thanks so much for your detailed response. I think you've convinced me. I am doing a site visit at the weekend where our builder has installed a similar configuration that being large bi-fold and sliding door along the same plane. All of the assumptions you've made are correct. Thank you.

John

Door type

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