Composite Doors And Conservatories Are Not The Only Way To Add Character To A Home - By: Kathryn Dawson

For those who think inside the box, the list of ways in which to introduce style into a home is fairly limited. Doors, for example, are seen as functional only and their design unimportant. But, when it comes to the front of the home, a composite or solid wood door can be impressive, in much the same way that conservatories can add grandeur.

While the composite front door is famed for adding that affordable extra character to a home, the options at the rear, sides and interior of a house are different. A conservatory will clearly add considerably to the sides or rear of a home, but bi fold doors are often used to open a kitchen or living room directly into the garden, and concertina doors are imaginatively used to divide spaces inside the home.

There is a temptation to believe that concertina and bi fold doors are basically the same, but this would be a mistake. Bi folds are used as an exterior door in residences, with the frame made of composite or upvc. The double glazed panes ensure that when the doors are closed, the elements remain outdoors. Most importantly, this type of door has leaves that are rigid with the entire width of each of the three or more set frames fold on a hinge.

The word concertina gives a very clear image of how the door by that name operates. The material is generally soft and it is usually used indoors. However, in commercial and industrial settings, the doors can be constructed of aluminium or some other hard material. The narrow slats then fold into each other, or in the case of soft canvas or plastic, squeeze into each other.

Their uses are generally to divide spaces temporarily, with schools and offices often using them to divide a classroom or meeting room, when the need arises. The door can then be pulled back to restore the larger sized room. However, their biggest advantage is that they neither open inwards nor outwards, thereby ensuring that no living space is lost or blocked by the door.

In the home, this type of doors can be coloured to match the designs of a room, mimicking a hard surfaced door that might otherwise be fitted. A small kitchen, for example, may have use of this style if the kitchen has no room to house a door inwards. But, while some home owners may be happier to remove a door completely, some amateur chefs may prefer a certain degree of privacy while at work. These doors can be white plastic or boast wood colours like pine, oak and mahogany.

In fact, these doors can be used almost anywhere. It is possible, for example, to install one within a conservatory, should it be desirable to divide the space within the extension. It might also be used as the entrance door to the conservatory from the home if space is at a premium, stretching across the doorway instead of opening inwards to use up area inside.

Adding to the style of a home can also be accomplished by amending a design of an existing feature. Just as part of the exterior wall of a living room might be replaced by a bi fold door, to open it up to the garden and add a new dimension, it is also possible to add bi fold doors to the side of a conservatory. It does depends on the specific design of the conservatory in question, of course, but the potential to open up the long side of an L shaped or T shaped model is there.

Such a feature serves to open up the conservatory in a way not traditionally associated with the structure, but in a way that adds to the character of it. The upvc frames of the bi fold doors complement the existing structure, while the fact that many conservatories boast brick and pillars and wall segments, makes the potential all the more wide ranging.

It is true that as an alternative to the costly solid wooden door, the composite front door provides a more affordable but suitably impressive version for the front of the home. Inside the home, concertina doors can provide a surprising wow effect, while the addition of bi fold doors can create an equally positive impression. So, the options are more than might seem obvious.

About the Author

Kathryn Dawson writes articles for Eurocell, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of UPVC conservatories, windows, composite front door, soffits, guttering and more. Their PVC-U products are available in a wide selection of colours and finishes. Find out about concertina doors today.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Kathryn--Dawson/78883

Additional Articles From - Home | Home & family | Home improvement