More backdoor shenanigans (what do you think of these back door options?)

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Scam

Soldato
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Ok, just looking for some input here. Here is the rear of our dining room, with the original sash window that will be removed and replaced with a new back door. The existing horrid plasticky back door and windows you see on the right will be removed, and we will install a single new window roughly the shape and position of the one on the farthest right (We're making room for more cabinets in the kitchen). Aesthetically, the house is a Victorian/Edwardian terrace, the new kitchen will be dark green cabinetry with a white quartz worktop. And the dining room will be traditional. The look of the back windows will be crittal style, thin black metal-look frames as in keeping with the period. (Manufacturer is called Aluco if you want to get an idea)

Here's the back as it currently is;

PIs2fq8.jpg


The aperture of the window is 1005mm wide. We were all set (and have actually paid a deposit) on the Aluco windows and french doors in the below style (first pic), however they have now come back to us and said they cannot fit two doors in such a narrow aperture. We don't want the expense or aesthetics of widening the hole - as it wouldn't line up with the sash above and would just look wrong. We're not big people, small doors are fine (our new bathroom doors are 600mm :p) And we've done a lot to match the new front bay windows, and new loft sash windows with the originals.

Here's what we thought we were getting;
z172wDQ.png


Here's what they've mocked up for us instead, let's call it (option 1). We don't like this.
Xo8aFQr.png


We've asked them about doing this (option 2) instead but the aperture is so narrow it might just look off-centre rather than intentional? :confused:
4NoIjEa.png


Or, we are starting to swing to this (option 3) instead;
tGac7Lt.png


Thoughts? The height is 2555mm so for that reason (and usefulness of it) we definitely want an openable window above.

Just looking for opinions whilst we deliberate... :o
 
You're right about option 1, that is an eyesore. If 2 is not an option then definitely 3 over 1.
 
Option 3 over everything else, it needs the vertical line to match upstairs which option 1 lacks. 2 is too messy for the size of the opening and the original option is about 200mm too narrow to be realistic. The biggest door you can fit will improve inside/outside flow.
 
Honestly I think the 'black metal' look isnt going to suit the rest of the design aesthetic....

You've picked out a very modern door, which imo is more suited to a 'white rendered house' than a victorian yellow brick terrace, while having a non modern dining room and arguably a semi modern (not sure on cabinet style) at best kitchen.

Now I'm not suggesting you go for white plastic but I think you might be better served by looking at some more 'classic' door designs.
 
lsg1r said:
Now I'm not suggesting you go for white plastic but I think you might be better served by looking at some more 'classic' door designs.
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Steel windows and architecture

John Keleher relates the history of steel windows in British architecture
www.countrylife.co.uk www.countrylife.co.uk

Crittall began gaining popularity in the early 1900s, our house was built in 1902. They are a perfect match of timeless, modern, art-deco, industrial in my humble opinion. Many others clearly agree, they are very popular in London houses like ours. Offset against London brick they are lovely. Everyone's entitled to their opinion though :)
Steeps said:
Option 3 over everything else, it needs the vertical line to match upstairs which option 1 lacks.
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Great point regarding the vertical divider thanks!

EDIT: Another question. Would you bother with the window above the door? Could ruin the clean look, but our builder made the point that it'd be useful to have something you can leave open when not in the room. Having said that, the dining room will be opened up to the kitchen, and there's now a massive velux in the kitchen (and more windows across the back) so might not really be necessary? :confused:
 
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Scam said:

Steel windows and architecture

John Keleher relates the history of steel windows in British architecture
www.countrylife.co.uk www.countrylife.co.uk

Crittall began gaining popularity in the early 1900s, our house was built in 1902. They are a perfect match of timeless, modern, art-deco, industrial in my humble opinion. Many others clearly agree, they are very popular in London houses like ours. Offset against London brick they are lovely. Everyone's entitled to their opinion though :)
Click to expand...
You're thinking about it purely from the outside of the house... even the link you've given is showing houses that are externally rendered.

I was also considering the inside of the house based on how you said they're being decorated.

But it's your house at the end of the day so if it's the way you want to go, then go for it.
 
Option 3 is definitely the better option out of all of those but what's stopping the original idea (with two doors), lack of width/space?
 
lsg1r said:
You're thinking about it purely from the outside of the house... even the link you've given is showing houses that are externally rendered.
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Oh the link wasn’t the best I was just showing that they are of the period. They’re very popular (some might say common!) in Victorian houses.
visibleman said:
Option 3 is definitely the better option out of all of those but what's stopping the original idea (with two doors), lack of width/space?
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I think the manufacturer won’t make them that narrow? Or maybe it’s a health and safety thing, no external door under 600mm or something?

We’ve been looking at it again and realised although option 3 looks great, it means we’d have a door that is 1m wide! If you actuallly hold a tape measure up to your door and imagine swinging that open it seems quite ridiculous. And would look even more silly on our small house which is only 4.5 or 4.8m wide (I forget which)

For that reason I think we’re leaning towards option 2. Hilariously we just drew it out on the wall :D It gives an actual door width of 750mm which is a standard door size so that’s good. Hmm.
 
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Option 2 IMO. It would be odd opening a door and then stepping into an open drain.
 
I thought people might like to see the results of this thread. We had the new back door, kitchen windows and bathroom sash fitted on Monday. It was complete chaos with 6 window fitters and two of our builders working. Good job I didn't have any meetings whilst I was WFH!

Reminder of the before;
Scam said:
PIs2fq8.jpg
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And here's the after;

10Jtg3I.jpg


Very chuffed indeed. The drain and the pipework outside (on the right) still needs to be moved but, and the pointing/brickwork etc. done (amongst a million other things). Personally I think it looks very smart, just what we intended! :)
 
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