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Dutch Doors: Double-Duty Entryways
Today's stylish Dutch doors offer light, breeze, and two levels of security
Dutch doors — those doors that are divided horizontally, with separate panels for the top and bottom — originated in the Netherlands in the 17th century and were designed to keep animals out of farmhouse entries, while allowing light and air to filter through the open top. They eventually became common in both farmhouse and non-farmhouse kitchens. Popularity waned for several decades, but the style has seen a resurgence, as they are quite useful today!
In additional to entries and kitchens, Dutch doors are great for offices, nurseries, play rooms — and in workshops, where customers can get close to enough to talk to people working without actually gaining access to the work area. They are great for keeping pets and kids inside without sacrificing light and airflow. And they have certainly grown out of their country associations; now they coordinate well with most home styles. (For those concerned about bug management, roll-down/retractable screens are available for Dutch doors from most screen manufacturers.)
In additional to entries and kitchens, Dutch doors are great for offices, nurseries, play rooms — and in workshops, where customers can get close to enough to talk to people working without actually gaining access to the work area. They are great for keeping pets and kids inside without sacrificing light and airflow. And they have certainly grown out of their country associations; now they coordinate well with most home styles. (For those concerned about bug management, roll-down/retractable screens are available for Dutch doors from most screen manufacturers.)
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A regular doorknob is often installed on the bottom half of Dutch doors in residential applications. For barn doors, interior doors (including kitchen, playrooms, kids rooms, etc.) finger latches, hooks and eyes or other latch mechanisms may be sufficient.
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| This Dutch door entry has been a popular image in Houzz for sometime, with good reason. Here's a view from inside looking out ... |
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| ... and from outside looking in, with Dutch door in full effect! |
by Amy Lambert Lee
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Dutch doors are particularly great for kids' rooms. Of course, as the kiddos get older (and more curious/adventurous) the Dutch door situation won't fool them, but keep those infants and toddlers in check with a safety door that doesn't have to look or feel temporary.
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I've said Dutch doors are appropriate in modern settings, but the long farmhouse history may make that difficult to imagine. Well, DeForest Architect did the work for us: This very clean, modern Dutch-door-as-entry is seamless with its environment. And the high-gloss paint finish is a great touch.
Most of the examples we've seen have been wood, but this is a great image of a steel Dutch door.
Most of the examples we've seen have been wood, but this is a great image of a steel Dutch door.
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by annie diamond
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| If you have more of a modern bungalow thing going on, you're in luck. The four-over-one top door speaks to bungalows and carriage houses of decades past while the solid single panel bottom, simple hardware and high-gloss black paint say modern. The contrast with the white casings and bright plantings make for a lovely composition. |
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Here's another example of high contrast paint making a splash. I love the chartreuse Dutch door as it pairs with the French gray shingles and bright white casings. The unexpected color makes the already-interesting door design even more special.
Naturally, with such an atypical door, unique hardware is in order. Dutch doors require additional hinges, although they can be regular hinges — nothing fancy needed here, unless you're so inclined. A vertical bolt or latch installed on the top door connects the upper and lower portions, allowing them to be opened as a single door when desired. Check out Baldwin Hardware for some good options.
While a standard slide bolt will work, a quadrant latch made specifically for Dutch doors is most appropriate. E.R. Butler in New York has some of the most beautiful hardware on the market, including Dutch door quadrants.
Naturally, with such an atypical door, unique hardware is in order. Dutch doors require additional hinges, although they can be regular hinges — nothing fancy needed here, unless you're so inclined. A vertical bolt or latch installed on the top door connects the upper and lower portions, allowing them to be opened as a single door when desired. Check out Baldwin Hardware for some good options.
While a standard slide bolt will work, a quadrant latch made specifically for Dutch doors is most appropriate. E.R. Butler in New York has some of the most beautiful hardware on the market, including Dutch door quadrants.
| Unique treatments such as leaded, seeded, colored or frosted glass will bring in a little more pizazz. |
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Dutch doors don't have to be relegated to the home: Employing them in a greenhouse is a fantastic idea.
More: See an Austin Sculptor's Artful Screen Doors
7 Ways to Make the Front Entry Matter Again
10 Extraordinary Door Designs
More: See an Austin Sculptor's Artful Screen Doors
7 Ways to Make the Front Entry Matter Again
10 Extraordinary Door Designs
Ideabook updated on Dec. 19, 2011.
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I've always been a sucker for Dutch doors in any setting!