front doors

[Henrik]

My house has what I'd describe an open porch. I.e. it's got basically a roof that goes out with walls on two sides to form a "box", and at the end of the box is the current front door.

I'd want to have another door fitted in the opening at the front, to make something like a porch (the idea would be to make a room of about 80cm (deep) and 1m wide.

So far so good, and not complicated, however:
The opening for the door is 85cm wide x 245cm high, i.e. totally non standard for a door (the width I can find, but not height).

The obvious solution would be to fit a standard door, and then a window on top, however all the windows I can find are too "high". If I fit a door, I end up with a hole of about 30cm (or slightly less), which I can't find a window for.

Anyone have opinions on how small a window can be made? It'd need to fill the 85 cm hole, but < 30cm high.


Also, opinions on wood doors vs upvc etc? Some of the houses on my road have really nice looking wooden doors, but I'm not really on talking terms with anyone here with a posh door (because they're reasonably far away so I don't actually know who lives in them). Anyone have any ideas how much a nice door would cost to have fitted?


I'm in two minds about doing the fitting myself or getting a pro in. I'm handy with most DIY things, but I work on my own, and hanging a wooden door sounds heavy. I wouldn't hesitate fitting a pre-hung PVC door myself, so might still go down this route, if I can figure out a solution to my "window" issue.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Should be no problem for most manufacturers, rather than just suppliers which I assume you have been searching, to make a door / window in what ever size you require.

 

[Mick - Ford Focus]

Window In Timber Or UPVC Should Be No Problem, Made To Fit. Friend Has A UPVC Window In Downstairs WC, Approx 1.5Ft X 6" Wide - Tiny Thing With A Sliver Of Glass In.

Ring Around For Free Quotes For Supply And Fit And Supply Only.

M

 

[711jrp]

Fws just the other side of Croydon can make doors and windows in whatever size you want, they did the panels for a conservatory that I built for my mum.

http://www.fabricatedwindows.com/index.php

 

[Henrik]

thanks chaps. I have indeed been browsing online, but I got worried that there was some reason why the sizes seemed to stop at 40cm height - perhaps it's just that nobody wants a smaller one usually

Anyway, I definitely prefer wooden doors anyway, so will hopefully go for one of them once I've saved up enough (I expect them to be reasonably expensive...)

Here's a pic of the site:

Will check out that site Pete!

 

[CKJDJK]

What about building up the current step, then fitting the door and moving the step outside?

 

[Kent]

It's a door and fanlight frame right the window is formed by adding a transom over the door casing
Look out if you fit an undersize door leaf width wise it can prevent stuff comming in and out the home
Also and this is very easy missed if it opens in check in will open fully without striking the cill of the current one or a step

 

[colnerov]

The depth perception is deceiving, He says in the OP it is 800mm deep and the outer opening is 850mm wide so there is space to open the door but not much else.

 

[Henrik]

Kent, that's exactly it! A fanlight!
Googling door and fanlight comes up with loads of good stuff, where-as I've had very little luck with "door with window on top" etc etc, brilliant!

Regarding the step, yes, it will have to be modified, which is a good point.. Bringing it out should hopefully work, or alternatively move it backwards.

Regarding space, the swing of the door would definitely take up most space, so I'm hoping to have something that opens outwards. I assume that's possible?


Wish I posted this months ago when I started looking around, loads of good suggestions.

 

[Kent]

Kent, that's exactly it! A fanlight!
Googling door and fanlight comes up with loads of good stuff, where-as I've had very little luck with "door with window on top" etc etc, brilliant!

Regarding the step, yes, it will have to be modified, which is a good point.. Bringing it out should hopefully work, or alternatively move it backwards.

Regarding space, the swing of the door would definitely take up most space, so I'm hoping to have something that opens outwards. I assume that's possible?


Wish I posted this months ago when I started looking around, loads of good suggestions.

It is but can be an issue on a windy day entering carrying stuff etc also not the best way for drainage of the hollow frame sections but yes it can be done
Remember the door swings out more than its width some hinges have significant throw

 

[pedrobedro]

Regarding space, the swing of the door would definitely take up most space, so I'm hoping to have something that opens outwards. I assume that's possible?

You can have a door that opens outwards, our back door does for convenience.

 

[colnerov]

Hi, Had you thought about moving the front door or a replacement out to the outer opening and raising the floor level in the porch to be level with the internal floor? That way you will have the gained space added to the hallway with the existing door removed and would be more useful.

Colin

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Pick a neighbours door style you admire, then simply knock, introduce yourself, say you admire their front door and ask if they'd mind giving you details of where they sourced it - also the contact details if any, of their door fitter.

Simples.......As we say up here "Shy bairns get nae sweeties", translates to "if you don't ask, you don't get". Bonus is, you'll then know at least one lot of neighbours...

 

[Kent]

I think Bromley is very different from the highlands Slim boy as regards knocking on doors and asking questions people 50 yards away are generally total strangers

 

[Henrik]

Speaking to neighbours more than one door away? They'd think I was out to rob them

 

[addjunkie]

Hi, Had you thought about moving the front door or a replacement out to the outer opening and raising the floor level in the porch to be level with the internal floor? That way you will have the gained space added to the hallway with the existing door removed and would be more useful.

Colin

Id raise the floor to level with the inside of the house, new steps outside, then find a joiner to make you a frame with fan light for the existing door. Removed old frame with thresh hold and fit some thing along these lines http://www.stained-glass-studio.co.uk/Nine pane.htm.

Looking at the picture, can you cut the opening a tad wider with a still saw? Looks le there is half a brick on the rhs could be removed

 

[I'm getting on a bit]

As others have said

Make floor same as house

Door open out for clearance

Door open in use rising butt hinges so easily removed

Glass panel above the door would be called a borrowed light

 

[the snooper]

As others have said

Make floor same as house

Door open out for clearance

Door open in use rising butt hinges so easily removed

Glass panel above the door would be called a borrowed light

that's only on an internal door where it actually does borrow light

 

[I'm getting on a bit]

that's only on an internal door where it actually does borrow light

True, but easier to describe when getting a quote