Open plan living is not for everyone, and lots of people like the traditional feel of separate rooms which hold different functions. One advantage of open plan living is the uninterrupted light, as natural light has the freedom to penetrate every corner of the room. So how do you put up walls, but keep the natural light penetration throughout?
Internal doors and windows create partitions between the spaces inside your home. Glass is a key component in modern architecture and comes with visual and practical advantages. Glass often creates a contemporary feel to your home, while allowing for lots of natural light to flow through. It can even be sympathetic to Georgian and Victorian terraces, as internal glass can often suit existing sash windows.
Separating internal spaces can create a big impact on the atmosphere within your home, so it’s good to think about how the space will work best for you. Do you want to see from one room to the other? Do you want to block out kitchen smells from the kitchen, to the lounge area?
We will run through some options below that will give you an idea of what is possible.
Why should I separate my rooms?
It’s completely dependent on the individual. Some clients love the idea of open plan living and wouldn’t think twice about keeping walls up, or putting new walls in. There are loads of reasons why you might choose to separate your internal spaces. If your kids are a bit older and want to watch TV in peace, a separate living room might be beneficial. Is you want to double up a dining room with a study, you would benefit from being able to close off from the world to keep the noise down. It all depends on how you intend to use the space, and what you are looking for from your new extension.
One of our clients opted to keep the original rear window of their house to maintain the character of the property, and get light into the notorious ‘middle room’ which can neglected when it comes to natural light penetration.
Types of separation
Door are an obvious choice, and are a great because they offer flexibility. You can temporarily close off and open up the spaces as often as you need to. Glass doors means you have visibility, but you can segregate noise.
Fixed pane windows offer a more permanent solution. Our project in Battersea features an internal window between the new kitchen and the rear reception room. This feature is a fantastic way to ensure the rear reception room maintains good light levels while blocking out any kitchen smells and sounds.
Are there benefits of internal windows or doors, even if I don’t need them?
Yes absolutely. Internal windows and doors have both practical and visual benefits. If you don’t necessarily need them, you still might want them for their aesthetically pleasing nature. Windows naturally create visual connections to spaces beyond; and provide privacy without the feeling of confinement. They create the same effect internally, along with doors which can aid the feeling of transparency and translucency. Additionally, if there are a large number of steps between the front of the house and the back, you may not want to create two access points and a glazed window opening may be the perfect way to bring light in and maintain a view through to the garden.
To talk more about how internal doors and windows may work for you, call us to find out more today on 0207 495 6561 or email hello@buildteam.com
