Your guide to buying folding and sliding glass doors

Open up the back of your house with folding or sliding glass doors.

Folding glass doors are a great investment. They link the house and garden and will bring more light into kitchen/dining areas. Here's what you need to know before you start:

Types of doors available

Choose from sliding doors, doors that just open out or folding/sliding styles. Folding or sliding is great as they really open up the back of your house, as there isn't anything blocking the view.

Planning permission

If your doors are a part of a small extension, your project may fall within permitted development rights. For bigger extensions, you'll require planning permission.

As a guide, you'll need permission to add 10% of the property size if you own a terrace and 15% to a detached house, but check with your council first.

Building regulations

You're required to seek approval if you do any structural work to your house.

The building regulation (Part L) deals with energy efficiency and renovations. Glass isn't very energy efficient and if your project has a negative impact on energy, it may not be allowed.

Conserve energy by using triple-glazed or high-performance double-glazing. If most of your windows are south facing.You can also make use of 'passive solar gain' - where the house uses heat from the sun to warm it up, lowering energy bills.

Construction period

Installation of custom-made doors will depend on manufacturer, but installation of a wall of doors can take as little as a few weeks.

Cost

A sliding glass panel that replaces either brick wall or an existing patio door starts from £1,000.

Where to buy

The Folding Sliding Door Company Tel: 0845 644 6630

Jeld_Wen Tel: 0845 1222890; As shown in photograph.

Sunflex Tel: 0845 612 5612

I-D-Systems Tel: 01603 408804

For more information about building regulations log onto http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/

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