Article Written By: Kathryn Dawson
Building a pool house, a conservatory or an orangery is amongst the most exciting things that a home owner can do. Each promises an improvement in lifestyle, the arrival of a place for relaxation and calm, even a place where domestic bliss can be rediscovered. But the whole project must begin at the designing stage, where most of the decisions are made. Increasingly, a preference for bifold doors, as opposed to regular patio or French doors, is being observed, not just because of their practical qualities but the style that such a feature can add to the finished building overall. It is nothing strange to see sliding doors used in these kind of leisure focused buildings. For ventilation purposes alone, swimming pool enclosures have long made use of large double doors and, in more recent decades, door systems that comprised several folding leaves. However, they are now becoming just as commonly used in buildings where ventilation of that scale is not a necessity. Today, to create dream orangeries or conservatories, prices are not so high as to put off those who really desire it. The great advantage of this type of door is two fold, offering both practical and stylish solutions to the issue of ventilation. Opening up such a vast space to allow free flowing fresh air means that the entire room can be freshened almost immediately. This is, of course, important for the likes of pool houses, where condensation and humidity are big concerns. However, it is also very convenient for conservatories, orangeries and garden rooms, when a party is taking place, for example. In such a case, the air can be kept fresh even with quite a crowd in attendance, while the garden is effectively opened up to guests, who can move effortlessly inside and outside with no bottlenecking at the doorway. In truth, there are a variety of choices when it comes to doors that are suitable for this purpose but the majority of these open in a limited way. While French doors, for example, will slide open, its design allows for only a short area to be opened up, perhaps as only as many as four door leaves. The conservatory alternative can slide open to a length of as many as nine leaves allowing a vast amount of access, air and sunlight through as well as more than enough room for a regiment of guests to move about and mingle unhindered. This room is made possible because of the innovative manner in which the door leaves fold away. The leaves are connected together on hinges, so a door leaf can bend flat against a neighbouring one, mimicking a concertina in affect. They can then by slid to the very end of the door way, perhaps as far as 5 metres, leaving a gaping mouth at the side of the extension, and effectively extending the room right into the garden itself. However, having the doors opened fully is not generally desired all year round, and so the orthodox door mechanism is also provided. In this mode, the other leaves usually bolted securely to the floor, while the central door can be opened and closed as normal. The doors, of course, can come in a vast variety of styles, so if the orangery is built with oak hardwood frames, the doorway can come in the same material and blend perfectly into the structure. The finishing, meanwhile, is also varied, with full length panes of glass or smaller squared panels available, and door handles and door knobs available with elaborate detail or simple metallic finishes. The choice is up to the home owner completely. For those looking to include this kind of feature in conservatories, prices can run into the thousands, though the actual figure will depend on the number of leaves that is requested as well as their size, frame type and the glass that is used. Just like the conservatory itself, bifold doors are an investment, and one that can last a considerable length of time, when treated correctly. Whether they are used to aid in the proper ventilation of swimming pool enclosures, or simply to add a feature to complement the needs of a garden room or orangery, sliding doors can make a practical and stylish difference.
This Article Has Been Published on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 and Read 246 Times