Ideas to create 'vestibule' in new house purchase?

prosaver

getmore4less wrote: »

I think the issue for the OP with the add on porch is that the front door is already a stick out porch design on the house, it may not look right.

so does he already have a vestibule .
i like it in bare wood tho

Barclayloan_query

prosaver wrote: »

so does he already have a vestibule .
i like it in bare wood tho

If they're sliding doors I think that's just what I'm looking for! As per the floorplan on my first post the sticky out bit is there, I just need the 'barrier' but I want it to look like a house, not a zoo! Where was that pic from please?

TBagpuss

What about an American style screen door, immediately inside the current door? It doesn't completely solve the problem but it does allow you to see where the cats are before fully opening the door, so you can reduce the chances of them getting out.

prosaver

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=french+doors+inside&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwii3OHkyY3UAhUlC8AKHf5gCxkQ_AUICigB&biw=1280&bih=670#imgrc=URxXUotU6pdmjM:
i just googled imaged it
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Satin-Finished-Glass-Single-sliding-Pocket-Interior-Internal-Door-System-Set-/262915535760

Barclayloan_query

I think the sliding french doors posted by prosaver are the best solution so far, although I'd like a more modern look to the doors themselves. As they slide over the static panels next to them there's no issues with blocking access to the stairs when I'm home and the 'gap' is open as the doors are flush against the panels. Also as they're a pair of doors, when it's left open it'll seem less claustrophobic than a single doorway gap.

Thanks to everybody for their input, once I'm in the house I'll get a joiner/builder round and ask them if they can recreate something similar!

penguingirl

I like the sliding doors posted. How about removing your lounge door (and the bit of wall around it) making it more open plan-ish with the stairs? Would then mean that if you put in sliding doors it wouldn't feel too crowded.

You have my sympathy with the cat- mine escaped out an upstairs window this morning which we'd forgotten we opened last night. Thankfully we have a cloakroom/internal porch and it makes life so much easier if there is someone at the door, you have bags of shopping etc as it makes an 'airlock' type system.

Barclayloan_query

penguingirl wrote: »

I like the sliding doors posted. How about removing your lounge door (and the bit of wall around it) making it more open plan-ish with the stairs? Would then mean that if you put in sliding doors it wouldn't feel too crowded.

You have my sympathy with the cat- mine escaped out an upstairs window this morning which we'd forgotten we opened last night. Thankfully we have a cloakroom/internal porch and it makes life so much easier if there is someone at the door, you have bags of shopping etc as it makes an 'airlock' type system.

That's a great idea to remove the living room door and the small wall that juts off the stairs - I think I'm going to go with a sliding system similar to prosaver's pic and then if it does feel a little claustrophobic see about removing the small wall/lounge door.

EachPenny

Barclayloan_query wrote: »

getmore4less - I'm wondering whether there'd be any planning/building regulations to consider on glass doors... considering the doors would essentially be at the bottom of the stairs.

There are regulations on using glass in certain positions, but even if the regulations don't strictly require it you should consider using safer types of glass if there is a risk of falling onto (or walking into) the doors.

Barclayloan_query wrote: »

That's a great idea to remove the living room door and the small wall that juts off the stairs

The only problem with this is it takes away your ability to shut the lounge door to keep the heat in and prevent draughts - in order to heat the lounge you will also be heating the hallway, stairs, landing and any upstairs rooms with the doors open.

If you already leave the lounge door open to let the cats have the run of the house then this may not be an issue, but if you ever find yourself shutting the lounge door because it feels a little chilly then it may be best to keep it. Bear in mind that there is often a foot or so of wall above the doorway which also plays an important part in stopping the heat just rushing upstairs. Obviously some houses do have stairs leading directly off a lounge, but the size (and therefore heat output) of the radiators may have been designed to cope with this.