Modern internal door/hidden door

Amateurrunner

Hi, I've just bought a three bed semi and I'm getting a 40m2 kitchen extension built - full width of the back of the house - around 6.3m x 6.3m. The builder thinks I should make the new room open plan with the current living room but I'm a cold person so I'm reluctant to have a giant space to heat but I'm also reluctant to loose the extra sitting room.

Can anyone recommend some modern door ideas to separate the two spaces? I like the idea of having a separate living room but being able to open up the space if having a family get together. The current living room is 4m x 3.4m. Sliding doors that go into the wall seem interesting, not sure if they will be annoying to open/close on a daily bases, noise etc Plus will sliding doors really make the room feel open plan if open as the full width of the room isn't opened up as there needs to be space beside the door to hide the door in a wall. I'm hoping for a door with some frosted glass to bring light through the house.

Please send me on any ideas, hoping to start the work v soon.

Also if anyone has any pictures of a 40m2 kitchen I'd love to see some, people keep telling me the room will be huge.

Gumbo

A 40 Sq. M kitchen will be huge.
Have you confirmed your planning situation?

Amateurrunner

I don't need planning as it is within the 40m2 limit and I have a 90ft back garden so within the garden limit too.

pinterest.com/pin/506866133038036624/

The image above (add https:// to the start of above - I haven't posted 50 times yet so I can't post a full url) is similar to the design I have in mind but I don't have the height available to fit the large pitched roof so to avoid a flat roof I might go for a double pitched roof (double A or two upside down V's)

Gumbo

Amateurrunner wrote: »

I don't need planning as it is within the 40m2 limit and I have a 90ft back garden so within the garden limit too.

What about your Garage Conversion?

Amateurrunner

We are keeping our garage My husband will use it. We spent ages looking for a house with one.

Gumbo

Amateurrunner wrote: »

We are keeping our garage My husband will use it. We spent ages looking for a house with one.

Then it's possible you cannot build 40 Sq. M extension without planning???

Edit : maybe I'm misreading. Is your garage converted to habitable accommodation or still a garage?
The original planning for the housing estate may have a condition attached that de-exempts the exemptions. Somebody needs to check your house against the original planning permission granted for the estate as a whole.

Mellifera

Think you would be ok with the planning so long as you have planning for the garage which should possibly be there with the house anyway? Also, there would have to be no other extensions.
On the subject of the open plan, I think it depends on the size of your existing kitchen. My kitchen is 7mx5m and I use every bit of it. If anything it would be nice to fit a couch/comfy chair in there. If the extension is 40sqm though added to an existing room of say 15sqm then it might be big and the door are a good idea. Not sure how I'd form them though (I do realise this is the point of your thread and that I'm not really helping :-(). I'm not a member of pintrest so can't view your link but I'd recommend forming a shelving unit as the divider but have glass in it so that it forms a barrier in terms of the wall and so would hold in heat but you would be able to see through it which would give the sense of space. I'd post a link but don't have enough posts!
I'm confused though because you seem to be talking of adding a kitchen onto a sitting room?

Amateurrunner

My house was built in the 70s and always had a garage. The garage was never changed, it is still a garage with a garage door. The house has never had any extension built on to it so I have 40m2 to work with and I don't need planning. I've had some builders in and they have confirmed this also. I also only just bought my house so i've confirmed the same with my solicitor.

Re the doors I found something on B & Q website that looks interesting and similar to what i'm thinking off (in white)

diy.com/rooms/4-panel-4-lite-american-white-oak-veneer-oak-veneer-glazed-internal-trifold-door-h2035mm-w2146mm/964655_BQ.prd

I'm open to other ideas though if anyone has any other door recommendations.

Gumbo

Amateurrunner wrote: »

My house was built in the 70s and always had a garage. The garage was never changed, it is still a garage with a garage door. The house has never had any extension built on to it so I have 40m2 to work with and I don't need planning. I've had some builders in and they have confirmed this also. I also only just bought my house so i've confirmed the same with my solicitor.

Sounds like you are ok planning wise then.
Just make sure you comply with the other rules, distance to boundary, window location, heights, remaining garden space etc

rampantbunny

Amateurrunner wrote: »

My house was built in the 70s and always had a garage. The garage was never changed, it is still a garage with a garage door. The house has never had any extension built on to it so I have 40m2 to work with and I don't need planning. I've had some builders in and they have confirmed this also. I also only just bought my house so i've confirmed the same with my solicitor.

Re the doors I found something on B & Q website that looks interesting and similar to what i'm thinking off (in white)

diy.com/rooms/4-panel-4-lite-american-white-oak-veneer-oak-veneer-glazed-internal-trifold-door-h2035mm-w2146mm/964655_BQ.prd

I'm open to other ideas though if anyone has any other door recommendations.

Personally, I wouldn't go with folding doors as those I've tried felt very flimsy. Not saying all are like that, but I saw enough to put me off. Try them out yourself before deciding.

If you're looking at 4 sections as suggested in the Pinterest pic, I'd fix the two panes at left and right, and slide the two central panes. You won't have as large an ope as you get with folding doors but with folding doors you need space to store the open doors against the wall also.

Doesn't all need to be doors either unless you want seal the area off. If you are looking at something to break the space a bit, you could build a low knee wall out from each side, see through shelving above. I've always like this idea: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/279645458082741083/
Or you can even build a stud wall that is moveable..https://www.pinterest.com/pin/371406300489747578/

ronn

I'm in a similar situation I've a 2meter open and wanted to get a Hidden sliding door, but was advised against it.
I was told that there lethal people catching there fingers in them when closing the doors and the possibility of crushing a person when sliding it open.

rampantbunny

ronn wrote: »

I'm in a similar situation I've a 2meter open and wanted to get a Hidden sliding door, but was advised against it.
I was told that there lethal people catching there fingers in them when closing the doors and the possibility of crushing a person when sliding it open.

Who told you that?
Sliders, folders, normal swinging doors...wouldn't they all have similar issues.
Plenty of places to get your fingers caught on all..and if you're determined enough, yea, I suppose you could crush someone with each one.

Amateurrunner

Thanks for the comments everyone. I do need to make more enquiries and actually try go see some but it does seem like the best solution to me to be able to have two options - open plan and an enclosed room. I think 90% of the time the doors will be closed with three doors fixed and one door on the right functioning like a normal door. If I'm having any sort of family get together (I've a very large family) it will be great to have an open plan option.

Has anyone got any recommendations of places I could go see some? I'm based in North Dublin but happy to drive to a good place.