Sliding door help!

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Hello!
We are replacing our patio door to a sliding door and can’t decide if the handle should remain on the left side or more it to the right.

Eventually we’d like to make the fire place the focal point of the room. Revamping the fireplace to hold a picture frame TV and buying a new sectional to face that wall.

Then where the white cabinets are now (ikea) we’d like to do built in’s.

Our thought is if we change the door opening to the right we’d gain more space in the living room and it would be closer to the built ins. The light switch and vent we could move as well to accommodate the switch.

Featured Answer

Linda Dornan

4 years ago

Kelly, I’m really trying to understand how changing the opening would help your space. Unless you’re closing up half of the glass (the part that doesn’t open), then I don’t see how switching will add space. You still won’t be able to place anything in front of the door. It seems, to me, that you’re creating a lot of work (switching door, moving vent, moving wall switch) for no benefit. Maybe I’m just not getting your objective?

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Comments (11)

Kelly Loedeman
Original Author
4 years ago
The photos didn’t upload
dancingqueen7827
4 years ago
I think switching the handle to the other side is a great idea! The walkway in front of the future built ins will lead right to the door opening and you will be able place a large or deeper sectional in the living space. And if the sectional covers a portion of the slider then no big deal because that side of the slider will be stationary.
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dancingqueen7827
4 years ago
And yes the floor vent could definitely have to be relocated.
Fori
4 years ago
It's also unusual (I think?) to have it hinged in the middle. Are you replacing this with a slider?
Kelly Loedeman
Original Author
4 years ago
Yes! Replacing with a slider
Linda Dornan
4 years ago
That looks like a single-opening patio door, not a sliding door (based on the hinges). Switching to a sliding door will free up space since it won’t swing open into the room. It would also provide ventilation as it could be left open with the screen in place.
Linda Dornan
4 years ago
If you’re replacing with a sliding door, why would the vent or light switch have to be moved? They wouldn’t impede the door in any way.
Kelly Loedeman
Original Author
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
We would like to replace with a slider but move the handle and opening to the right side.
Kelly Loedeman
Original Author
4 years ago
Hi Linda,

By switching the door to a slider with an opening on the right side we are able to adjust the layout. The future goal is to make the fireplace the focal point of the room moving the couch to face the fire place.

We will have more space for the couch if we are to move it farther back even if it hits the window a bit it wouldnt be an issue.

There is less dead space, with the opening on the right plus the flow to the hallway would be better.
HU-489810002
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Yes, looks like it would be a better flow, the way it is now it cuts right through the center of the room. But you WILL need to move that floor vent, or everything will fall into it when going in and out the door, (my daughter's old house had that) and the electricals so it is not awkward. Great idea to me.