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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have french doors but no window in a kitchen

80 replies

73Sunglasslover · 17/10/2019 20:19

We are planning an extension in an awkward space which will double the size of our kitchen.

Would it be silly to have french doors from the kitchen into the garden but no window to the outside? Would this bother you if it were the only ventilation (other than extractor) in the room?

YABU - it's a bad idea
YANBU - it's an OK compromise

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Pandaintheporridge · 17/10/2019 20:21

Well some kitchens are interior with no windows at all. I've had a door to the garden that also had a small window above it, is that a possibility?

Original poster
73Sunglasslover · 17/10/2019 20:23

Thanks Panda! It's a relatively new build house so unfortunately the ceiling is not tall enough to put an opening window above the door - we did look into that as it would have been a great design if it were possible.

OP posts:
superram · 17/10/2019 20:24

Could you have skylights, we do have a small window but it wouldn’t be a great loss without it.

flissity · 17/10/2019 20:24

Immediately thought how about something g like this? So you can open the top like a window

To have french doors but no window in a kitchen
Mookins14 · 17/10/2019 20:24

I lived with a sitting room that had no windows other than French doors and it was a nuisance that I couldn't air or cool the room unless I was home (and in the room because of rats). You can get French windows that allow a panel to be opened independently so I'd try to get one of those.

BendingSpoons · 17/10/2019 20:26

We have two sets of french doors in our kitchen diner but no window. I never actually thought about it before. We can open the door if needed, although rarely do to be honest.

Decadoma · 17/10/2019 20:26

Mines like that! It is fine, only issue is if cooking and gets smelly or steamy, have to chuck dog through the house so he doesnt run off lol

Original poster
73Sunglasslover · 17/10/2019 20:28

@BendingSpoons

It's really useful to hear from someone who actually has this - thanks! My fear is that you might just want a bit of ventilation rather than a big door open. Do you have some sort of restrictor or something which means you can just get a bit of ventilation without the door banging or being wide open?

OP posts:
Original poster
73Sunglasslover · 17/10/2019 20:29

@Decadoma

Thanks! Yes I can see that's a pain! But I'm allergic to animals so we'll never have one and won't have that issue!

OP posts:
Original poster
73Sunglasslover · 17/10/2019 20:31

@Mookins14

Thank you! What do you mean by a panel that opens independently?

OP posts:
Fallenmadonnawiththebigboobies · 17/10/2019 20:31

If you can get a bi-fold door in the space you can just slide it open a bit (if that makes sense) so no banging doors.

ToodlesnOOdleSAR · 17/10/2019 20:33

I'd happily give my kitchen window away for a bigger space and patio doors instead! Go for it, it sounds great.

Freddiefox · 17/10/2019 20:34

Mine tilt so you can open them along the top so they sort of become horizontal to let air in without opening the door

Countrylifeornot · 17/10/2019 20:34

What will your sink look onto? I find a kitchen feels very unbalanced if the sink isn't below a window.

Lunafortheloveogod · 17/10/2019 20:34

What about an extractor fan? That’s always been what I’ve had in tiny windowless kitchens.. helps not massively but if it’s positioned right it would help steam.

I wouldn’t leave the doors open often in the winter.. you might not have a cat but I have a cf of a cat who would come in to see if he could have a bit of whatever smells nice Blush. Also bugs.. I know they can get in windows but a cracked window only allows small moths.. the door would let the bastards the size of birds in.

Pandaintheporridge · 17/10/2019 20:34

Like that?

To have french doors but no window in a kitchen
Outsomnia · 17/10/2019 20:35

I have french doors to the back with side panel windows that open. They are great.

Google it and you'll see lots of designs!

RavenLG · 17/10/2019 20:35

If he worried about not being able to have the window open when cooking tbh, smell and steam/damp wise

cwg1 · 17/10/2019 20:37

Didn't they used to be known as French windows?

icantfind · 17/10/2019 20:39

Do you have small children? We have drench doors and a window and in the summer I couldn’t open the doors as my 18mo was straight outside.

Original poster
73Sunglasslover · 17/10/2019 20:43

My kids are 10 and 12 so that's not a problem. The width is only 1200 so unfortunately not wide enough for double doors plus a side panel with opener. We could have a single door with a side panel that opens but I prefer french doors. Obviously a bit ambivalent though hence the asking for advice! Thank you all for your thoughts. It's really helpful.

OP posts:
Chunkers · 17/10/2019 20:44

I had that, and for the most part it was fine, but when cooking anything particularly steamy or steak for example, it was a PITA. I also has a single door in the room, so that was the only way to ventilate the room. I did live in a particularly cold and windy/rainy part of the country, so that didn’t help.

notso · 17/10/2019 20:44

We have no window or door in the kitchen, it has an opening on to an extension with bifolds and a traffic door.
We've got a really good extractor and do far haven't had any issues with smells or steam.

scottishlass123 · 17/10/2019 20:50

When we renovated our first house we only had French door and I regretted it. When you needed fresh air due to cooking, condensation or when it was hot you always had to open the French doors,.this was a nightmare when it was raining as the floor would get wet, or the baby would get into the garden when you didnt want them to and I was always afraid of rodents entering the house. So my advice.would be get a window even if it is a slim line one. It is so much more practical. Good luck with the renovation.

Solasum · 17/10/2019 20:52

Think the ones that split in half would be called stable doors?