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Exteriors Renovating Design Dilemma

Alignment of window and bifold doors dilemma

5 years ago

We are renovating our annexe. It has a London roof line which we have to keep as roof joins the neighbours. Our dilemma is we would like the top of the bifold doors to line up with the top of the kitchen window. The builder has just told us to do that we would need to move the window right over to the left. This is so the window fits underneath the rafters with enough space. It cannot go higher where it is because new rafters are going in and insulation and there simply isn’t the space. So we would need to move the window right over to the left which would mean knocking down that part of the wall. Would also mean sink and drainer wouldn’t sit squarely underneath window. The builder is hesitant because this will all be quite costly. As you can see they are already having to demolish a lot of wall to put 2 runs of bifold in. However designwise I think having everything at the same height would work much better athletically. The rest of the house is 1860s Victorian and the windows don’t all line up especially as we have a large porch with a window above the front door that doesn’t line up with the rest of the sashes. However when we renovate our annexe that is very much going to have a modern feel to it and separate to the rest of the house. So I thought having everything aligned would work much better. Architect does too. Hubby doesn’t want extra big cost but I really don’t want to regret not pushing my case.

Anyway any advise would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you

Photo 1: the front of the Annexe. Window on left to be replaced with modern dark grey aluminium window. Bifold in same material to replace French doors.

Photo 2: our porch. To be rendered in flat white same as annexe will be.

Photo 3: main house next to annexe. Main house windows changing to white sash.

Photo 4: end of Annexe. Wall to be built with further run of bifold where hole is.

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Comments (3)

minipie
5 years ago
Usually I'm all for making things align but in this case I really don't think it matters.

First as you say there will be other window height differences anyway. Plus the roofline is a little higgledy piggledy (especially if you include the porch) so differences there too.

Moreover, I've seen lots of photos of entirely new modern extensions with a set of doors and a square window and the window is usually set lower than the doors! So I think this will look totally normal. I presume this is because it needs to be lower to allow a good view out.

Plus, I think having the window way over to the left would look odd from outside (as well as being costly and messing up the inside).

All in all - I'd definitely leave as is :)
PRO
Origin - Doors and Windows
5 years ago
I agree with @minipie regarding the layout, I think the window being set lower than the door will look entirely normal.

Origin are the UK's leading manufactures of aluminum Bi-fold doors and windows. We'd be happy to help you if you are starting to shop around. Please have a look at our bi-folds and windows pages:

http://bit.ly/origin-bi-fold-doors

http://bit.ly/origin-windows

We also have numerous case studies on our website. Have a browse through these as they may provide you with some inspiration.

Please get in touch if you'd like more information.

Thanks,

Robyn
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As a professional in the industry and also have a 360cm bifold door at home i know the issue all too well. It all comes down to the budget you want to spend. I would have to recommend use a curtain track so you can get good support all the way across the track and know that it is sturdy to hold a heavyish pair of curtains. You will have to go with a metal curtain track of some description as the plastic ones are just not substantial enough and will not work as smoothly as the aluminium ones. You will certainly be able to have a single curtain pull to one side with a good quality track. Now the main element of this is the heading style for these curtains. The modern wave headings give you a beautiful pleat that will always look beautiful. Any of our metal tracks would be substantial enough and some of them can be upgraded to 60mm or 80mm wave heading. https://www.direct-fabrics.co.uk/curtain-tracks/metal Price for a 350cm would be around £40 upwards for medium domestic. going upto a heavy duty around £150 even more for silent gliss products. Fitting and installation with a qualified CSCS fitter would be around £120 maybe more depending on location. However to note you will have curtains right infront of a beautiful bifold door that will obstruct light coming in through the windows. I would suggest shaping the track outside the reveal but the book cases are in the way. Perfect Fit Blinds An alternative if you want the light to continue to come in is perfect fit blinds these work as frames that go out side the rubber seals of the window and allow a secondary frame to be mounted without any drilling into the window. This means you can fit them quickly and easily. A pleated blind would look incredible. A further option would be electric curtain tracks that fold to the left or right. These would be around £1000 Best option for cost Other options a light unlined hotel weight dimout pair of curtains these would be 95% blackout and you wouldnt see through them, with an eyelet heading top fixed inside the reveal with recess brackets. would work well. Really simple you would have 32 eyelets on a 4 width pair. not quite 100% fullness but would still look very clean. This would take up approx 16cm per side. But would be stacked back beautifully https://www.direct-fabrics.co.uk/recess-curtain-pole-kit.html Hope this gives you some ideas. If you would like some samples let the team know www.direct-fabrics.co.uk
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PRO
ODC Door & Glass Systems
5 years ago
I also agree that aligning the height of the windows is unnecessary. Think of putting the money you save towards other finishing touches! Lots of out projects are assymetrical and I think they work really well. Good luck!

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