Invite the outside in
Flood your extension with natural light with sliding doors from Idsystems
This east London side return extension has transformed the way the owners use the house, creating a new connection between house and garden, thanks in part to a set of sliding doors.
Prior to the renovation the house was a typical terraced property in the capital, with larger rooms at the front of the house leading through to smaller, boxy rooms at the back that featured a cramped kitchen and access to the garden via a door to the side.
For the owners and their growing family, the space of the home’s central hub and the transition from inside to outside was becoming increasingly important.
Having lived in the house for a number of years the owners undertook a complete renovation and remodel. This included a side-return extension that enabled a stunning open-plan kitchen to be created, while across the rear of the space a set of THEEDGE2.0 sliding doors from Idsystems created a brand new connection between the house and garden.
“The plan for the extension was to bring two major factors into the home,” say the owners, Anna and Andrew. “First, as much light as possible, and second to invite the outside inside to really maximise the space that we have.”
When closed, the large sliding doors across the back of the house provide an almost uninterrupted view out, while drawing light into the kitchen — thanks to the narrow 20mm frames between the panels. When the doors are opened up, the completely flush finish of the track extends the living space out on to the patio, acting almost like an extra room of the house.
The owners say that opting for sliding doors provided the best use of space, because the doors allowed for the large panes of glass and minimal frame to get the clearest possible outlook, and when the doors are open they minimise the amount of space lost on the outer deck.
“The extension has hugely changed the way we live in the house. We realised very early on in our renovation journey that the side entrance to the garden was a real barrier to us using the garden to its best. Having the extension done now, we already see how it has transformed our life — we can just walk out to the patio freely and naturally.”