Minimum width for a 2-wing window/terrace door?

We have two patio doors, each double-leaf and two meters wide. 4 meters of windows on 8 meters of wall width - enough light comes in.

At the time, it was a comparatively (in comparison) cost-effective solution compared to the sliding/tilt-and-slide door.

We can live quite well with it; you can also easily get out through each leaf.
The phrasing means: I regret a little in hindsight about my choice back then.

Today, I would execute at least one of these two doors as a sliding/tilt-and-slide door. Or glass across the entire width using a sliding/tilt-and-slide door.
If necessary, I would have also installed a large window (floor-to-ceiling) and a smaller sliding-tilt-and-slide door.
At the time of planning, the living habits in the house had not yet developed.
We wanted to keep it "affordable" to go out to the terrace on the left or right. It has turned out in hindsight: not necessary.... one habitually always uses only one side.

The indoor space required for opening the leaves is - in my view - a significant disadvantage (especially in a small house).

In summer, when all doors are open, the leaves must also be blocked by a stopper, otherwise they might close or slam shut uncontrollably.

Regards Thorsten

We have a lift-and-slide door and I would choose it again. Simply just good, because you never have a door blocking the way. But well, our window element is 2.70 meters wide and the sliding door can be opened almost halfway. We have a passage that is over one meter wide. Simply wonderful

Hello everyone,

interesting discussion.
Can you roughly tell me the cost difference compared to a door with 2 wings and a sliding/lift door?

Also, I would like a seamless entry, meaning a frame flush with the ground. Is that problematic with rainwater or similar? What is the cost difference here compared to the version with a frame you have to step over?

Thanks!!

Of course only in individual cases and not representative.

The SH door (one) would have cost me an additional 2000 euros compared to an already visible surcharge for the double-leaf door without a middle stile. Roughly speaking: Double the price for SH compared to the double-leaf. It scared me at the time. Especially since I had two of them installed.

Considering the cost of a house: I was an idiot back then. I would pay the surcharge for an SH door immediately today and take one. Much better. Much more practical. Especially since I would very probably only take one + a window, it wouldn’t have come close to double.

PS: Our terrace doors have an almost completely ground-level entry. The lower frame is about 5 mm above finished floor level. Solutions that reduce this to 0 mm do exist, expect significant additional costs in the area of +1000 and more. There are also almost frameless windows at the bottom.....additional surcharge.

Best regards Thorsten

PS: Rainwater. There are many factors involved here, including how high your house is raised and, as mentioned, much more. Properly designed and executed, there are indeed solutions that are completely level with the ground and do not pose a risk to the building structure from rain/showers.

Drainage in front of the doors or additional drainage along the house (besides the splash guard) is mostly necessary here (with costs for pipes/excavation in the plans). In individual cases, only the good architect/planner working on the specific project can help further. Because when it comes to details, it goes deeply into the "nitty-gritty." However, such things are naturally not cheap. Especially these matters must be planned and carried out absolutely perfectly so that everything works correctly and permanently later on.

Good evening,

Can you roughly tell me the cost difference between a door with 2 sashes and a lift-and-slide door?

From 2.01 x 2.135 without bars to a lift/slide door approx. €1,000.00; although I would always recommend you go for a pure sliding element. It lasts longer than the warranty periods

Additionally, I would like a step-free entrance, i.e. a flush frame. Is that problematic with rainwater or similar? What is the cost difference here compared to the version with a frame you have to step over?

You can have the entrance/exit lowered for an extra charge; I wouldn’t completely waive it in your position, otherwise you can never fully open a window even in light rain. Aside from the fact that the necessary drainage must be considered outside - usually on the terrace. Rather unattractive for "eye people"

Rhenish greetings from the road