uPVC Door in Leatherhead

As you would have guessed, patio doors are exactly what the name suggests. They mainly act as a means by which you can access your patio from inside your house. As a result, they’re mostly fitted at the rear of your home which leads out to the garden and ultimately, the patio. In recent times, it’s mostly unlikely to see patio doors installed in homes without patios or homes with deckings instead. Generally, patio doors feature large floor to ceiling windows that are able to offer a wide open view of your garden as well as patio. In short, these characteristics are what mainly makes them unique from other normal exterior doors.

There are different types of patio doors which you can choose from and all with their own unique installation costs.

• Sliding Doors

Due to their space saving qualities, this type of sliding door are a popular choice amongst homeowners. As the name suggests, they basically slide across panels rather than opening in or out. This style also comprises the most significant windows which gives you a wider and clearer view of your garden while also allowing more natural light into the house.

• French Doors

Offering a standard design with two different panels with each able to swing wide open on its own, the French door is a conventional style door popular amongst traditionalists. French doors are generally stylish and very energy efficient, however they tend to consume more space within your home. It comes with several designs and a variety of colours to choose from.

• Bifold Doors

Bifold doors are the ideal choice if you want a more modern style for your home. These doors almost folds itself whether open or closed. Generally, they move along a track similar to sliding doors, but each panel folds when open. Here, you’re still offered the floor to ceiling wide open windows which further makes the overall effect even more special.

A French door simply means a door style which features two sections that pivots on hinges installed on the door framing’s opposite sides, which opens and closes at the centre. Glass panels are used to make each door’s section covering the middle of the door ( either individual panels that are muntins framed or a single panel of glass). When open, the whole doorway is an open space with no post at the middle. French doors are popular for a number of reasons. Not only do they bring a particular level of charm, class and elegance to your home, but also allow natural light into a room and create a wide opening unlike a sliding patio door. They’re mostly installed at the rear of a home so as to allow for a direct walkway exiting the house and straight into the garden, thereby making your garden even a lot more closer to your home.

There are 3 main types of patio doors which includes the following:

• External or French patio doors

As the name suggests, they’re the French door that leads outside mostly into the garden. Generally when opened, the two door swings outwards, but there are some that can open inwards. They mostly possess a number of large glass panels which enable natural light to brighten up your home.

• Interior

This basically means fitting double French doors between two rooms in a house. This is very similar to the external ones with two doors and also made up of glass panels.

• Sliding

They are very similar to both the external and interior designs but rather than the two doors swinging open, they slide apart to create a great amount of space to walk into the garden. This is the classic charm that sliding French doors provide.

Doors can be bought in a range of materials, such as wood, aluminium or uPVC. There are also more modern composite doors which use a variety of different materials for toughness and durability. Doors are also available in glass reinforced plastic (GRP), and engineered timber.

So you’ve decided to add some new French doors for your home? If yes, then you’re likely going to be concerned about whether or not you’ll require a planning permission to get started.

Properties are compelled to meet certain requirements and have proper permission in place in order to be in line with the regulations. Overall, you’re going to need planning permission in the following situations:

• If you want to construct something new.

• If you want to a make a major change to a building like an extension.

• If you want to change the use of your building such as converting it from residential to commercial.

Getting a new door or replacing an existing one doesn’t usually require a planning permission as it’s one of the less complicated improvements you can make to a home. As a result, this kind of improvement is normally covered by permitted development rights especially when you’re not constructing an extension for which to use the French door. However in the events whereby a permission is needed, it will most likely going to be granted if the proposed changes does not have an impact on the primary elevations of the house which is usually the front of the building.

It’s also important to note that permitted development can be limited by local authorities. These limitations include buildings in a conservation area, listed buildings, and if you happen to reside in an area of immense aesthetic appeal or other designated areas like National Parks. If such situation before you change your French doors, it’s important to consult your local authority before proceeding.