skip to main content

Two panes or four?

7 years ago

Looking for advice - I need to replace the french doors on the right. The width is about 2m 50cm. So my choice is; do I go for two large doors that open in the middle or do I go for replacing the doors like they are (4 panes of glass).

The pros for the first option is that I get less frame and maximize light into the room. The downside I see is that the doors may will be very large.

What are people's thoughts?

Featured Answer

PRO

OnePlan

7 years ago

I agree with Create Prefect that actually three panels ties in better with the other windows of similar width proportions.

Comments (13)

Isidora Markovic
7 years ago
Hi Sam,

If you are happy with the 4 pane doors and are worried about having very large doors, you could look into thin frame 4 pane doors and get best of both!
PRO
Create Perfect
7 years ago
Hi. If you can go for bifolding three I would do that at it maximises the light like the two (less frames as bifolds) and is a better number to work with the existing windows. Failing that I would look into the two and see what size they would be and if they would be 'too big' according to the suppliers. I think two would work better than four and I would always recommend maximising light.. it's the space you work or live in and the light will have the greatest impact! :)
Related Discussions
Should I create one large double or have two well-designed singles?
Q
Comments (2)
Just be aware (and you may know this already), drum kits upstairs can be very difficult for those sitting downstairs. I'm not talking about the general drumming noise but the base pedal. When our kids are using it upstairs it sounds like they are going to come straight through the ceiling. We have sold up and have bought a house with concrete floors. On other subject, size of bedrooms is just as important to some people as number of bedrooms. I would knock through. Alternatively, is there room for a platform bed/mezzanine?
...See More
Sliding doors, approx 3.6m opening, 2 or 3 pane? Recommendation? Tips
Q
Comments (8)
We've got 4.4m and are having 3 panels but it was a close run thing as I prefer the look og wider panels. We are south though so (hopefully) will be opening them more often. With 3.6m and in Scotland I'd be choosing 2 panels... ...*unless* you are going to have curtains which will hide each end of the doors even when pulled back, or furniture which blocks the ends. If that's the case then go for 3 so as to leave the centre clear as per above.
...See More
Four or five bedrooms?
Q
Comments (6)
Definitely make it work for you, especially if you’re not considering selling yet. We had a similar issue when we renovated our three bedroom bungalow. We added an extension & did loft conversion but still have 3 bedrooms. We could have had four, but it would only have been a ‘spare’ room. Instead we have a large bedroom downstairs & two large bedrooms upstairs, each with ensuite & one with a dressing room. We have tripled our kitchen / living space & have a laundry room. It wouldn’t be everyone’s choice but works for us.
...See More
family of four downsizing... are we crazy?!
Q
Comments (17)
that's a good idea. Yes, we'll definitely put a double bed in one of their rooms. The issue is that my sister comes to visit with her wife and two kids, but it's not insurmountable! We are looking into the flooding issue -it's definitely the wrong time of year to consider buying a house beside a river! The house has never been flooded (built in 2000), and is constructed above ground level. The local authority is also building flood defences in the area to mitigate future risks.
...See More
PRO
User
7 years ago
In agreement with the other pro's 3 panes so that the design matches the other windows.
Sam Pitkeathly thanked User
PRO
Timber Master LTD
7 years ago
We have done three panes where clients have had similar dilemmas. As everyone has said above, all your windows are triple casements so it could actually work very nicely.

2.5m is a very large space for two doors and you need to consider the weight of the doors on the hinges. we would generally only make a hinged door 1m max as it tends to look odd if it's any wider.

Good luck with you project & let us know what you decide on.
Sam Pitkeathly
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks every one for your input and I feel you are right with the three pains! I will look in to this further!
PRO
IDSystems
7 years ago
Hi Sam,

The advice above all makes perfect sense. The only thing we would add is that a three panel bifold door would also allow you the ability to have a single access door, which our customers find useful for everyday use, rather than having to open the bifold doors entirely.

Here are just some examples of how three-panel bifold doors can look.

Award Winning Bifold Doors · More Info

Award Winning Bifold Doors · More Info

Award Winning Bifold Doors · More Info
Sam Pitkeathly thanked IDSystems
Sam Pitkeathly
Original Author
7 years ago
IDSystems - the height of the doors is 213cm, the width is 245cm. My concern is that when bifold doors are fully opened they would protrude outwards when stacked back. We have an eating area on the decking directly outside the doors therefore I was thinking I need the doors to pin back against the brickwork.

Can you advise on this please?
PRO
Timber Master LTD
7 years ago
You can have bi-fold doors folding inwards if you prefer, We often do this for clients that have the space inside as it means the doors can stay open on warm wet days.
PRO
HBD Systems
7 years ago
Hi Sam!

I'd go for 2 doors and let in loads of light!! There are still lots of options with 2 doors, do you have them opening in the middle, bifolds or sliding doors... either way you will have a beautiful view with all of the glass!!

Hannah
S L
7 years ago
I'd go for 4 and have them bi-folding
PRO
IDSystems
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Hi Sam,

If the doors opened outwards they would stack approximately 85cm out on to the patio at one end of the opening (they can be designed to open to whichever end suits you best). The width of this stack would only be just over 17cm if you opted for our award-winning SF55 system.

With regards to the doors folding back completely against the brickwork,
the required angle that the hinges would need to achieve and the weight
of the door system mean this is not an option unfortunately,

We can also supply French Doors, and at this size the doors would open in an arc of just under 1.3m - or you could opt for a 3 panel sliding door with 80cm panels that would not protrude out on to the patio and would have a bigger glass-to-frame ratio than bifold doors, but with the caveat that only two-thirds of the space would be open as the doors always stack behind one panel.

We would be more than happy to supply further information and some visuals about how each option would work. If you send us an email to marketing@idsystems.co.uk we'll get the details across to you.
PRO
Gary Wainwright's GARDENS BY DESIGN
7 years ago
Most definitely need to reduce the amount of frame and have more glass for many reasons. First you need to decide on sliding and have 2 panes or bifold and have 3. Also the aluminium route means thinner less obtrusive frames than say upvc

Sign Up to Comment

Sponsored

More Discussions

Skylight over kitchen island??

19

1-bed to 2-bed on a budget - help needed please!

9

paint colour for max curb appeal

9

Stairs in living room - Close off with door

6

Too much blue. what other color is right here?

4

United Kingdom

Tailor my experience with cookies

Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.