Opening styles – doors
Entrance doors
Tend to be single doors, usually inward opening. New building regulations will probably require a mobility sill and to be of a minimum width (to accommodate wheelchairs etc).
Because of privacy and visibility issues, entrance doors are rarely fully glazed and often are half-boarded or with a small fixed window at the top. For buildings with porches, there might also need to be fixed glazed side lights etc.
Stable doors
Can be for either front or back doors.
Advantages
- Offers ventilation
- Sociable
- Security – offers a physical barrier while allowing occupants to speak to visitors
Disadvantages
- More expensive than regular entrance doors
- Less airtight than regular entrance doors
Back doors
Tend to be single doors opening inwards into (typically) a kitchen or utility room Back doors may not need a mobility threshold and tend to be either fully glazed or half glazed as privacy issues tend to be less important (ie the back door is less likely to be overlooked)
French doors (double)
Double doors that usually open outwards onto a garden or patio. Usually fully glazed to get the benefit of light into house and view outside.
Advantages
- Can be locked from outside and has handles on outside of door
- Can be inward or outward opening
Disadvantages
- Total maximum opening width about 2400 mm X 2400 mm*
Lift & slide
Usually open onto a garden/ patio. Options for one pane or both panes sliding. Can go in a wider gap/ opening than a French door .
Advantages
- Larger (uninterrupted) panes of glass
- Maximum individual door leaf size up to 2500 mm X 2500 mm*
- Very simple and easy to operate
Disadvantages
- Only supplied with an internal handle
Balcony tilt & turn door
Essentially this is a very large window that can be used as an inward-opening door in certain situations (eg for a ‘juliet balcony’). Available as a single or double door.
Advantages
- Good levels of airtightness
- Less expensive than a door
Disadvantages
- Only open inwards
*Please note: For Part Q and Secured By Design items, there may be size restrictions. Please get in touch to discuss.