To have french doors but no window in a kitchen

[73Sunglasslover]

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

What about one with a window on top.

We have only French doors in the kitchen, no window. They tilt as well so don't have to have them fully open for ventilation/smells when cooking. I rarely do this tbh though as the extractor hood works well enough. Not in the UK though and these kind of doors/windows are pretty standard here, don't know if they are an option in the UK.
I do love them tbh, the light and access to garden is great

I had doors like that in my dining room - no opening windows, so I had to open the door if I wanted fresh air. I had lots of cats walking in...

I wouldn't do it again if I could avoid it, and DEFINITELY not in a kitchen. You cannot do without decent ventilation in a kitchen! Even the extractor fan can't keep up when I have a couple of saucepans going at once. If it's in an extension, can you have a Velux window in the roof at all?

Surely french doors are a window?! Just a window combined with a door?

I've just googled and apparently they're called tilt and turn windows/doors

Here is some info
www.doubleglazing-pro.co.uk/tilt-and-turn-windows-and-doors/

I just have doors. It's absolutely fine.

I do have windows that open in my kitchen, but I can't reach to open them without a stool, so I just open the door if I need to get air in/cooking smells out. It's never been a problem.

We have French doors in the kitchen and there're narrow windows on each side which don't open.

I wish they did, it's fine to have the doors open but if it's raining in Summer the floor gets wet or if it's windy I worry they'll be blown and damaged as they open outwards onto the patio.

It's a new build though but at some point I'd like them replaced with opening windows.

@Scottishlass123

Unfortunately there's not enough height for these.

@givememarmite

These sound interesting. Do they open up completely or is there a bar left between the windows even when they are both open? In a narrow space like our I fear that if there's a bar left it will feel tight to walk through them.

We have bifolds and velux I long for a window- both are not great in wet weather! I think a pp mentioned they had non opening windows in their french doors can you get windows in yours that will open - you won't regret it!

The kitchen won't actually be in the extension - the lounge will be meaning the kitchen can move into the new lounge. So no velux unfortunately. There is just the 1200 space for the door/window and nothing else.

@mommybear1
We would if we could but the space if too narrow unfortunately.

Yabu.
My living room has French doors and I think I've only opened them twice. The dc's run dirt into the house if they're open, bugs fly in and they're too big to open on a rainy or blustery day. I'd love a small window on the side.

I’m another who just has french doors and no windows. It’s fine. I just open the door a little if I need a bit of ventilation but lovely in summer to have them both open wide. It doesn’t bother me not having a window above the sink as I have a dishwasher anyway so never really have to wash up much.

We have an extractor fan that we use a lot so don't really open the door. Possibly it is because it's a fairly large space (kitchen diner) and also has 2 doors leading off it (hallway and utility) so there doesn't seem to be a need for ventilation. Also DH believes opening a window is not the besr way to get rid of steam as you create a temperature difference and more condensation! I guess it is a lifestyle thing but I reckon you could compromise with a good extractor.

Sorry if this has been mentioned. I have lived in flats with trickle vents. I don't know if you can have them in doors but might be an option for a bit of airflow.

We have a window in the kitchen and a door to the garden.
We never open the window because it’s easier to open the door (the window is over the sink and therefore more difficult to open)

I really can’t see the issue there.

Yes trickle vents can be included in doors I think. Indeed our builder mentioned that they might have to be to meet building regs.

You can get stable-style patio doors as described where the top half opens like a normal half-door or tilts as per diagram.

I only have a door and hate it. Wouldn’t move to a house with this set up again.

@73Sunglasslover ours open up completely with no bar in the middle. Not sure how wide they are but can check in the morning (am in bed already and too lazy to go back downstairs!)

@HeyNotInMyName

Thanks! That's really useful info! Do you have a way of having the door just open a little? Do you have an overhang on the roof over the door? We're told that can do wonders in terms of preventing every bit of rain coming in if you've the doors open.

No. We just open the door when we cook Something that is a bit too smoky/the extractor can’t cope with.
And then close the door again.
I’ve never had any issue with the rain coming in. I mean how often do you see your windows wet with rain when it’s raining? Unless it’s windy, we really see that. Same with the door.

Seriously, until I read this thread, I’ve never even considered this could be an issue because we’ve never seen one?

@HeyNotInMyName

I think our houses must be quite different designs as I would say that when it rains, 90% of the time our windows will be wet. I'm thinking maybe your roof has a large overhang which is protective?

My kitchen has patio doors out to garden and no window and the only thing annoying about it is having no window ledge to quickly cool the kids dinner :)