Door dilemma for rear extension

6 years ago

We are about to build a rear single storey extension but are struggling with the design of the rear doors /windows. This room will become our living room and the external measurement will be 4.5m (depth) x 6.5m (width). We don't know whether to have a 3m central bifold / sliding door, or to have the windows as per the plan (2.4m doors and a smaller window). The reason we designed the plan in the picture with a smaller door opening and separate window was so that we would have more options for the interior design. We are worried that the larger door opening will limit furniture/TV placement due to sunlight affecting the view of the screen. We are south-facing so this, as well as the possibility the room will become too hot in the summer originally put us off a larger door opening, despite it being a popular choice these days. The second photo shows the other door placements in the room). We are now questioning whether we have made the right choice? We would be interested in others points of view please.

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6 years ago

I would definitely work out where your furniture will go first, plan doors and windows second. Possibly an interior designer at this stage could offer solutions to both you wouldn't necessarily think of?

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Comments (11)

PRO
Design Spec Ltd
6 years ago
Hey Lisa!

We come across this all the time!

First things first we would always recommend is purchasing the UV reflective glass (blue tint) when looking at large areas of glazing. This will help with the excessive (glasshouse) level of heat during the summer. This will also stop many of your floor finishes and furnishings from becoming 'bleached' by the intense sunlight.

The UV reflective glass will also assist with your sunlight on the TV issue, although you are right to consider this as concentrated sunlight when relaxing in your main living space is always a tough trade!

Another thing to consider, we would STRONGLY recommend trying to allow a vaulted roof and some Velux rooflights (or similar) on your pitched roof... To work out where natural sunlight finishes in a room you would generally take a 45-degree angle from the top of the glazed units. Without a rooflight, you run the risk of the interior of the property (the existing footprint) becoming darker.

When weighing up these points we generally find that clients have their decision made by their budget as the glazing specs will naturally increase.

One final point to consider is that you cannot have too much glazing (25% of total floor area as glazed units) without incurring the need for thermal calculations under Building Control Regulations. These are not expensive to produce but will affect your amount of insulation in your extension.

There is a lot here to digest but fire over any questions you have and we would more than happily help!

We would love to see your final option when you reach that stage.

James Collinson

Design Spec Ltd.
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Lisa
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you so much for your comments.

James, you have given us some great points to think about thank you. I hadn't thought about the type of glass as an option to reduce the heat/glare on the TV.

We have been advised by our architect that the angle of the roof is too shallow for velux windows although I would have preferred them as I was worried about the lack of light in the existing rear room as you pointed out. My husband is worried about the potential for leakage with them too.

Lisa
Lisa
Original Author
6 years ago
Jen, thank you for the pointers. I am struggling with the layout of the furniture, particularly since we will probably buy new furniture at some point so don't know the measurements.

I think you're right - an interior designer would be useful, although I'm not sure we have the budget for one unfortunately.

Thank you for your comments, much appreciated.

Lisa
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PRO
Design Spec Ltd
6 years ago
Hi Lisa,

Generally speaking, the angle of the roof would only normally affect the type of roof tile you can use and not necessary the roof light glazing? Have you considered a flat roof option with a nice roof lantern or glazed panel?

Flat roofs can look very nice if handled correctly, we normally recommend overhanging the roof by about half a meter, allowing for some nice downlights and protection for the glazed units to remain open on the muggy British days!

Having the UV reflective glazing can impact the budget but in our opinion, it can be money very well spent to prevent the excessive summer heat trap.

Let me know if you have any further questions!

James Collinson

Design Spec Ltd.
Lisa
Original Author
6 years ago
To be honest we didn't really explore a flat roof option, we originally wanted a pitched roof. That is something we can think about perhaps though before we go any further, thank you.

I think the reason we were put off velux windows was because the roof angle is 12.5° and we were told there is a chance of leakage at this angle.

Lisa
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GardenFairyGodmother GFG
6 years ago
We went with two sets of French doors for our kitchen diner extension instead of bi fold doors. With a vertical radiator in between as well as two velux windows in the roof. The kitchen is L shaped with an island. Our neighbours chose a window and bi fold doors. Their kitchen is U shaped with a perninsular. Work out how you want to live in the room and furniture you would need, as well as all the light switches , radiators and sockets. Then work out the door and window position. Good luck.
Lisa
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you for your thoughts, we have started looking into French doors this afternoon, and are trying to concentrate on furniture placement etc to help us with the doors. One thing we have realised whilst looking at French doors is that we could have windows either side with ventilation, meaning that we wouldn't have to open the doors in order to get fresh air in the room which is appealing. Thank you!
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PRO
ODC Door & Glass Systems
6 years ago
Hi Lisa, you raise an interesting point, as you do need to consider how often bifold doors will be fully open, so arguably how the doors will look closed is more relevant, particularly if this room is to be your main living area. We have some projects on our profile where clients have chosen different solutions to fit with their lifestyle. Good luck, Lucy
PRO
IQ Glass UK
6 years ago
Hi Lisa

For a good example of what your intended drawings above may look like our project on Hatcham Park Road used a similar bifold + window design:

Hatcham Park Road · More Info

For a south facing property you definitely do need to think about solar gain. Any glazing you chose should have a Solar Control Coating on it no matter how large you ultimately choose to have the opening. This will reduce the amount of solar radiation that can come through the glazing and reduce that overheating.

For a 2.4m wide door opening a bi-folding door system will give you a lot of framework. In that width you could easily have a double door opening (or french door) for more glass + less frame + keeping the opening size as planned.

We have this size French Door on show at our showroom in Amersham if you wanted to get a feel as to how big the door leafs would be

If you were to choose a larger/full width glass opening your choice between sliding and bifolds will be a personal choice on design.

Bifold doors = more frame but you have the option to open the whole expanse in the summer.

Sliding doors = less frame, floor to ceiling glass. They create a seamless indoor outdoor design even when the doors are closed. But when open you will only get 2/3 of the opening clear.

Bedford Gardens · More Info

Gladys Road · More Info

Water End House · More Info

Any advice needed on the glass doors or windows let us know.
PRO
Croydon Window Company Ltd
6 years ago
Hi if you like the idea of bifolds there are options of internal blinds as per images we do. www.croydonwindows.com
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Door dilemma for rear extension

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Door dilemma for rear extension

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Comments (11)

Design Spec Ltd

Related Discussions

LisaOriginal Author

LisaOriginal Author

Design Spec Ltd

LisaOriginal Author

GardenFairyGodmother GFG

LisaOriginal Author

ODC Door & Glass Systems

IQ Glass UK

Croydon Window Company Ltd

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Lisa
Original Author

Lisa
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Lisa
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Lisa
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