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Rear of house extension advice

Christina Symeonides

7 years ago

Any good tips and advice to consider when extending to accommodate a kitchen, island and sitting area, leading onto an outdoor area and garden? Especially re doors to garden - bifold or sliding?

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PRO

Skyglaze Ltd

7 years ago

Hi door choice always in my view depends on the width of your build my preference is sliding doors with slim interlocks try if you can to go floor to ceiling as this really lets light in solar control glass like the ones in our photos stops solar gain

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Comments (19)

Claire Nicholson
7 years ago
Hi Christina,

We have just spent 6 months going through exactly the same thing and have ended up with a kitchen including island, casual seating and doors onto the garden, so might be able to give a few pointers if it helps. It's certainly lots of fun! (If not a bit daunting )

What stage are you at? Have you got some initial plans for the extension or is everything still an option?

Claire
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Yes, I meant opening up the right side wall to incorporate that pantry/utility space into the kitchen. You could maybe compromise and keep a pillar at that corner instead of opening it all up fully? Looks like pillar/corner could be at end of island, which I know is not perfect but it could work - gives you an end to the kitchen and provides a little separation for dining table - have a google at extensions with pillars and you might find it would be totally fine. Still a bit more expense as you'd need a steel to go over the larger opening on the right hand wall, but not as much as fully opening it up. Another option for WC would be to put it in the front section of new office (where the sofa is) - separate door from the office space into little loo - and then use the rest of the office as the utility room. The planned pantry/utility could then become office - which I know isn't ideal off the kitchen, but it depends how much you need office to be quiet and away from distractions, or if it's more of a place to charge devices and control/file paperwork. Also an issue with no windows to office (still got rooflight though), but gives the loo the front window (possible issue, I know!) and keeps the loo and utility away from kitchen - or maybe give the utility room the front window so it's nicer when doing laundry. Downstairs loo doesn't need a window.
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Christina Symeonides
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi Claire thanks for your response - yes we have some plans. I would like to be clear in my mind the finished effect we want to achieve before commencing the build. So at this stage anything is possible! I like the idea of big glass doors, but not sure what style??
Claire Nicholson
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I completely understand- I was exactly the same and that will definitely stop any costly mistakes that you often see if you make decisions etc as you go along.

How big will the floor space be that you're working with? Have you roughly decided which bits (ie kitchen and seating) you want where?

Have you got a floor plan you could share that would help people visualise the space and try and help?

I think the choices with glass doors depend a bit on what width you have to play with- is it a big expanse or towards the smaller end?
User
7 years ago
Hi Christina if you are having trouble choosing which type of door to go with, our team have created a great email campaign helping people choose between sliding,bi-fold and french doors if you were happy to share your email with us then we can send it over and hopefully help you in making the best decision possible. Thanks
Christina Symeonides thanked User
PRO
PWJ Architects Ltd
7 years ago
Please feel free to look at our Houzz portfolio of work and ideasbook section.

www.pwjarchitects.com
Christina Symeonides thanked PWJ Architects Ltd
PRO
Bath Bespoke
7 years ago
Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Sliding is a good option where space is slightly limited. Bi-folding doors are good where there is a little extra space and you like the feel and look of a layered door. If space isn't an option, I just depends on look and feel.
Christina Symeonides thanked Bath Bespoke
somervell
7 years ago
Hi Christina
When we came to decide on the doors for our open plan project we initially thought we would put in bi-fold doors.
If we went for bi-fold the space would have filled with 5 doors as it was too wide for 3 (has to be an odd number to have an outward opening first door). By the time we took into account the frame for each door we were left with lots of skinny doors around 60cm wide.
We fell in love with the slim line aluminium sliding doors with a mere 20mm dividing the panels. When the sun shines we have a huge 2m 40 opening (all three panels can move) and when the weather isn't so warm we still have a wonderful view into the garden.
Also another plus point for the sliding doors is when they are open they do not take up valuable space in the garden.
Christina Symeonides
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you this sounds lovely, do you have a photograph by any chance?
PRO
Skyglaze Ltd
7 years ago
Link to our photo blog over 600 projects with lots of glazing solutions

Skyglaze Roof Lights and Door Systems:

https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B105qXGF1GxBRX9
sihodge
7 years ago
Hi somervell,

Where did you get your sliding doors from? I'm looking at doing a similar project myself.

Thanks.
somervell
7 years ago
Hi
We have had our doors fitted for about 5 months and very happy with them. They are SL20 from slimlinealuminium.co.uk
somervell
7 years ago
Now might be a good time to think about blinds too. We fitted a recessed blind which is hidden during the day.
sihodge
7 years ago
Blinds look good. Like the doors too - I'll get in touch with them. Thanks, somervell
Christina Symeonides
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you Somervell - I will look into your recommendations, I love the slim frames on your sliding doors! Having the blinds hidden makes that option more appealing. Thanks again for your help.
sihodge
7 years ago
We're also still deciding which way we'd like the doors to slide - we've got a 3.6m wide aperture & looking at 3 panels.

Does anyone have experience of sliders that open both left & right?
PRO
Skyglaze Ltd
7 years ago
This is our Skyglide Ultra Door 3 panels on three tracks all move and will stack either end or in middle
sihodge
7 years ago
They look fantastic. Are there any problems attached with having such a low threshold ? It looks almost flush with ground level with aesthetically looks amazing, does does rain etc cause problems?
Christina Symeonides
Original Author
7 years ago
Skyglaze limited they look lovely - I like the idea of different options to open, the only drawback is the need for wider runners and they gather dirt and dust, still it's nothing major. Nice thank you I will have a look

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