Knocking through wall, putting in bespoke doors?

Moonraker71

I'll preface this by saying I know zero about DIY and this is my first house, having always lived in flats. I'm moving into a 2 up/2 down Victorian mid terrace with a typical downstairs layout - living room, dining room behind, kitchen behind that. The kitchen, however, has been extended out to the back and also to the side. This means that the dining room is almost effectively an internal room now, because the window that previously overlooked the side return is now a doorway into the kitchen (no door though) so the only light coming into the room is from the window at the back of the kitchen, 14 feet away. It is really very dark.

What would be the best way to counteract this without compromising the feel of the house? What I want to avoid is having a completely open-plan house from front to back. So I'm thinking of putting a set of double, glazed doors in between the living room and dining room so I still have the option of 'shutting off' the two rooms. In fact, I imagine they would remain closed 90% off the time. My questions are:

1) Would this actually solve the problem of letting in enough light?
2) Is this an expensive job? (I know it's all relative but I have a budget of around £1,500 all in and haven't a clue if this is adequate)
3) Would the joinery need to be bespoke? I'd rather save up for longer and make a really nice job of it than put in something off-the-peg but not 'in keeping' with the rest of the house, which has all the original fireplaces, sash windows, etc.

Sorry if these are dumb newbie questions, all new to me I'm afraid. Thanks for any advice!

Ant555

Ive been toying with the idea of having a multifold 'room divider' fitted rather than standard doors.

I just got this link of google so its not necessarily a rec for the company but would this type of thing work in your house? Some of them are glazed so should let light through to the next space.

http://www.directdoors.com/internal-doors/internal-folding-doors/multifold/

That web site has dimensions so if you can measure the opening and the height then you might be able to do a quick cost calculation.

My big issue is that I don't want a track along the floor so would need a version that 'hangs' from a track at the top but I haven't yet stumbled across the correct combination of looks and price!

hope this helps.

PS - ive been 'researching' for ages and have bookmarked a load of links to this type of door so if you are interested then i'll share.

Moonraker71

Thanks Ant, that is interesting. Some definite possibilities in there. I'm like you though I think, in that I don't want a track along the floor as I want the carpet to be seamless between both rooms.

Still at the very early stages of research, so yes would definitely be interested in your links if you'd be kind enough to share!

Furts

You may already have done this excercise, so apologies if this is the case.

The cheapest option is to use standard, catalogue, Jeldwen or Premdor glazed doors. These can be purchased through any builders merchants.

Pick the door you like, maximise the size for light transmittance, get a price and work your opening and lintel to suit.

There are other national suppliers to builders merchants such as XL joinery and there is JB Kind.

Be wary of internet sourcing - there is some rubbish being sold to consumers that would be rejected by tradesmen and building sites.

Bespoke joinery is great, but comes at a price.

Moonraker71

Thanks Furts, that is brilliant, I'd not heard of any of those and have already spotted several possibilities from Jeldwen alone.

Also, Ant555 if you're still watching, here's a page of bi-fold doors with no bottom track required - so thanks again Furts!

http://www.jeld-wen.co.uk/products/interior-doors/products/#/3/2269/~/~/~/~/~/~/15548

Ant555

Thanks for the link - very interesting

Heres one of my saved links from the 'doesn't require a bottom track' section.

This link specifically states does not require a bottom track
http://www.kaybeedoors.co.uk/doors/internal-doors/folding-doors-internal/nuvu-roomfold-oak-internal-folding-doors-24-per-door.html

I bought a new (used) car with the money I had set aside for the doors as my old one was showing signs of expiring but i'm still 'looking' at doors!