Putting a door on a 1930's terraced house with arched porch?
Discussion
Wonder if theres anyone on here that might have done the same?
We have a 1930s end of terrace house and the front door in an arched porch area, pretty typical affair really.
The problem with it is the front door area is cold in the winter as the door is the original one and drafty. Also the bedroom above the porch is colder even with some insulation put down. Finally the living room wall backs onto the porch area and its single brick so again cold.
My solution for this was to look into have a extra door added in the arched area, but my god the cost! Its almost 4 times the cost of reglazing practically the entire house!
Now after calling a few companies we've go quotes down to about £1500. They say its due to the bending needed for the archway.
Is this cost about right or am I having my leg lifted?
We have a 1930s end of terrace house and the front door in an arched porch area, pretty typical affair really.
The problem with it is the front door area is cold in the winter as the door is the original one and drafty. Also the bedroom above the porch is colder even with some insulation put down. Finally the living room wall backs onto the porch area and its single brick so again cold.
My solution for this was to look into have a extra door added in the arched area, but my god the cost! Its almost 4 times the cost of reglazing practically the entire house!
Now after calling a few companies we've go quotes down to about £1500. They say its due to the bending needed for the archway.
Is this cost about right or am I having my leg lifted?
Pheo said:
wouldn't you be better off with a new fornt door, or refurbishing the original one with draft seals?
It would stop the draft via the door, but not stop the other issues as the porch would still be open.The other nice thing about putting a door on the porch is we get an extra bit of space for coats and shoes, but the main benefits are sorting the other issues listed.
But for the money they want I could fit a replacement door and probably insulate the wall that backs onto the living room and add insulation to the ceiling and have a decent lump left over!
Not my house but this is the type of porch Im referring too:
http://gallery.nen.gov.uk/assets/0803/0000/0233/im...
As the can see the front door is set back from the front of the house.
http://gallery.nen.gov.uk/assets/0803/0000/0233/im...
As the can see the front door is set back from the front of the house.
I've got exactly the same style house but the previous owners put a double storm door in. Keeps the wind and rain out and so keeps the drafts from entering the house. Its best of both worlds as it does the above and also keeps the convenience of a porch for parcels and shoes.
Also means with nice weather you just open both doors and they dissappear into the recess.
Also means with nice weather you just open both doors and they dissappear into the recess.
Craikeybaby said:
A few houses around me have done this and it looks crap imho.
I would also suggest a new front door and adding insulation, unless you have a really long porch there won't really be that much of the front room wall which backs onto the porch.
Insluation has been added to the room above. I was thinking of adding more on the outside but the inner window frame would be partially hidden by the extra material used, so that's out sadly.I would also suggest a new front door and adding insulation, unless you have a really long porch there won't really be that much of the front room wall which backs onto the porch.
remedy said:
I've got exactly the same style house but the previous owners put a double storm door in. Keeps the wind and rain out and so keeps the drafts from entering the house. Its best of both worlds as it does the above and also keeps the convenience of a porch for parcels and shoes.
Also means with nice weather you just open both doors and they dissappear into the recess.
Also means with nice weather you just open both doors and they dissappear into the recess.
remedy said:
I've got exactly the same style house but the previous owners put a double storm door in. Keeps the wind and rain out and so keeps the drafts from entering the house. Its best of both worlds as it does the above and also keeps the convenience of a porch for parcels and shoes.
Also means with nice weather you just open both doors and they dissappear into the recess.
Storm doors? Do you mean double doors, like French doors or whatever they are called?Also means with nice weather you just open both doors and they dissappear into the recess.
Esseesse said:
Don't do it. Filling the arch on this style of house spoils them IMO.
Get a new door to replace the old one. I imagine the ceiling of the porch area is flat? Get it insulated with celotex and re-plastered, or add celotex under the floorboards of the room above.
I do like the look as it stands to be fair. Most other house have gone for an extra door and they don't look terrible and theres a few that still have wooden doors which look pretty old too.Get a new door to replace the old one. I imagine the ceiling of the porch area is flat? Get it insulated with celotex and re-plastered, or add celotex under the floorboards of the room above.
For the cost of the door, vs re doing the tiled floor, adding some sort of insulation on the wall which is shared by the living room and upgrading the existing door IS the cheaper option. I have already secured another 1930s wooden door for nothing that I was going to look into having it fitted professionally with the idea of adding in draft exclusion too.
Just wanted to know that the prices being quoted are really correct.
remedy said:
PHOTOS
Aha, I like that personally.Now to weigh up whats best.
Redo tile flooring in porch area.
Somehow insulate the foot or so single brick wall using some kind of exterior insulation.
Draft proof existing front door.
OR
Add door to porch at a much higher cost, but gaining a bit of space to store coats etc.
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