About Me

Building an extension for my mother-in-law

I love my mother-in-law but I never planned on living with her permanently. I have been enjoying her living with us now that we have kids but I feel like we all need some extra space so I am getting a granny flat built at the back of our block. This should allow us to have some extra space to make sure everyone has the privacy that they need whilst we can still be a family. This block has some tip on the process of building a granny flat including how to choose a contractor and how to get the council approval for the build.

Search

Latest Posts

Tags

Building an extension for my mother-in-law

Don't Overlook These Features When Choosing Bi-fold Patio Doors

by Chloe Cooper

Bi-fold patio doors can be a great choice for your home; they allow you to open up the entire wall for easy access to the outside and for more air circulation inside the home. This is also good for entertaining as it allows for easier foot traffic in and out of the patio area. When you are ready to shop for bi-fold doors for your home, note a few features you don't want to overlook so you know you get the right choice and are happy with those doors for years to come.

Consider the locks

If you want bi-fold doors that don't interfere with the view even when closed, you may choose a very thin frame and small, lightweight knobs. However, you also want to consider the locks of the doors; sliding deadbolts that are pushed into the ceiling and floor can help keep the door in place when closed, but you need a frame that is thick enough to securely hold these deadbolts. A lightweight knob might also mean no room for a thick and sturdy lock. Be sure you balance the look of the door with the security you need when making your choice.

Shatter resistant glass

The fewer the door panels or sections, the larger each one can be so that you have less framing to block your view to the outside. However, this can mean bigger repair bills if the glass of one panel or door section is broken; if you live in an area prone to strong storms or somewhere other things may break the glass, keep this potential cost in mind. It may be a good choice to invest in thicker, shatter resistant panes for larger door panels to avoid this damage down the road.

Window tint

For bi-fold doors along a coastal region or in areas with lots of direct sunlight, you may want to consider a window tint or protective coating of some sort. This can help deflect UV rays off the doors so that your home doesn't become too warm and stuffy during summer months. This coating can then allow you to keep blinds or curtains in front of the doors open, so you still have a full view of the home's exterior without the interior getting overly warm. A metallic reflective tint can also help to block the view inside the home from the outside, so you maintain privacy even with large bi-fold patio doors.

Share