Door on Parlour floor
Hi Lara (Iz26), how did it go with your door/window off the deck? We are doing the exact same thing: changed one of the parlour windows into a door off the kitchen. I bought a 1900s old wood door with color blocked stained glass windows (see pic attached). I also bought an exterior door from Lowes, full window but with security (but also lets the light pour through the stained glass). But now comes the difficult part ~finding a matching transom window above it! I am thinking a double pane glass vinyl window that tilts inwards (like basement style). The vinyl would match the vinyl of the other window in the kitchen. My contractor was suggesting we need two windows (just like the doors below though), but i’m not sure it’s necessary…
radgirl
in Brownstoner Renovation 10 years and 8 months ago
7
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7 replies
lz26 | 10 years and 9 months ago
We are renovating a brownstone and replacing a window with a door on our palour floor which will lead to a deck. We would like something that does not clash with the historic details of the house, such as a metal casement door — but are open to suggestions Anyone done this and have any suggestions? Thanks so much.
bedstuyreno | 10 years and 9 months ago
I did the exact same thing on my parlor floor. Although, my home has very original detail remaining, I went with a glass door with a metal casement. I’m very happy with the look. You can see the post here on Brownstoner from a few weeks ago: http://brownstoner.staging.wpengine.com/blog/2014/09/bed-stuy-reno-completed-kitchen/
chemosphere | 10 years and 9 months ago
I need one of these too! Bedstuyreno, where’d you get the door? Did you consider an iron frame door or some such, as additional protection? Not necessary?
bedstuyreno | 10 years and 9 months ago
My contractor installed the door. The door is framed. We haven’t had any server weather yet, so not sure if I’ll need additional protection down the line.
nalusurf | 10 years and 9 months ago
Ours is very similar to bedstuyreno’s. Parlor floor rear has become the kitchen with a deck off the back. Of the 3 original windows on the rear wall one remained, the center became the door and the third (in the kitchen) I removed and shortened to about 42″ off the floor. The reason for this is the kitchen area is small ant the sink and dishwasher had to go along this exterior wall and I did not want to see the back of appliances/base cabinets from the outside! For the door I went with a pre-hung fiberglass exterior door from Lowes and the transom above was custom made by my deck builder. I would have liked to have gone with a more expensive door but budget was an issue and this is a good, solid, basic exterior door. I am going to add a storm door just for more weather protection. The kitchen window was also custom made by my deck guy. To keep with original interior details as best as possible I carefully removed the window casings and re-installed around the door. For the shortened window the exterior brick wall was built up with original bricks from the old beam columns and I kept the original stone sill and just shortened the original casing to keep with the symmetry of the other two openings. Depending on your budget there are TONS of exterior door companies with varied styles to fit most any taste or desired period look. Good luck!
zhideng | 10 years and 9 months ago
I did the exact same thing as well recently. We turned the window closest to the kitchen into a door that leads out to a deck. We didn’t want to destroy any original detail so we kept the frame and put a door in its place. We had to remove the lower wood portion of the frame but the rest remained. We used an 8 foot door from Andersen and it just about was a perfect fit for the window opening width and height. There were some small gaps on the sides and my contractor had to adjust for about 6 inches of height but it was pretty much a perfect fit. Andersen has various stock sizes that might fit your needs and they do also offer custom sizing but the price goes up significantly. Here is kind of what my door looks like: http://www.andersenwindows.com/products/a-series-hinged-patio-door/ I got the 400 series instead of A series to save some money. The exterior of my door is white instead of wood. You can get them pre-finished with one of their stains or unfinished to match your wood trim(you can also paint of course).
lz26 | 10 years and 9 months ago
IS there any way you can post a photo of your door? I would love to see it! Thanks so much either way for your advise. All the best, Lara