Bricking up a doorway...

[Deesus]

Apologies if I don't explain this too well.

At the side of our house we have an external door & next to is a floor to ceiling window. The frame of the door/window is very old, rotten in places and needs replacing.

As we never use this door I'd rather we got rid of it altogether - I'm thinking this would be better for retaining heat, etc?

What I'm basically asking is what options do I have. I wouldn't want to brick it up completely as the window does let lots of light in which I like so I'm guessing the options are a) have it replaced with a large window (frosted?) or b) could we brick it up using glass blocks/bricks?

We are complete DIY novices so would get a professional in to do the work no matter what we decide.

Any advice, comments, ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Ponders]

replacing with a window would be your best bet, I think. you won't be getting much light from the bottom half of the window, so you could build up full width to whatever sill height your other windows are - if there is a standard height;if not, just choose one! Then have glass up to the top of the space.

[Deesus]

Ah hadn't thought of that ponders. Stupid question but would I need a builder or a glazier to do that? Or both?

(when I said novice i meant it

[Ponders]

a builder should be able to supply & fit a window for you

see if you can get some personal recommendations from friends/family - that's usually safer than just picking one out of the phone book

[oldenoughtowearpurple]

if you brick it up will you have enough safe routes out of the house in case of a fire?

might be cheaper to just replace the door with a decent quality new one - Ponders' excellent idea will mean a bit of new plaster which will mean a bit of painting.

[fanjobiscuit]

What about converting the door + window to a feature French window that could be kept locked ?
Uses all the available opening so not much in the way of building work or plastering plus you don't lose a doorway.

[Deesus]

We've got a front door and back patio door so assume that's ok? The floor plan of our house is a bit odd really - the side door door is on the opposite side of the house to where our drive way is and just leads to the back garden (but it's still easier/quicker to go out of the back door iyswim).

We need to repaint the whole house anyway - plan on doing that last after all other jobs are sorted.

Thanks v much for your help btw - tis much appreciated!

[Deesus]

Oh that does look nice - it would be locked all the time though as door is never used. But I like how it would let lots of light in.