Stuck in the en suite

[kappadelta]

I got stuck in the en suite again today!! If my bedroom door is left open then the en suite door won't open as the bedroom door is behind it.

It's a new build and I've been in about 18 months. Is this a health and safety risk? Could I approach the builders to ask them for a solution?

Thanks for any advice

That is poor design. Could one of the doors be rehung to open on the opposite side or out instead of in ?

Sure, you can complain about bad planning. Downside is that you will be laughing stock for a while but, you should, you can't take that risk if you have children, especially when they are of an age that need to be supervised all the time.

Thanks for your reply Orange.
The en suite door can't open inwards as there is not enough room and it can't be rehung the other way as it would still have the same problem.
The bedroom door can't open out as it would open onto stairs and if it was rehung to open the other way the problem would still be there.
One door needs to be closed for the other to open and vice versa if you see what I mean?

Could one of them be changed for a sliding door, like this? www.eclisse.co.uk/Why

Could one have a sliding door? It is a fire risk getting trapped in any part of a building.

Someone had a thread on here recently about loo doors in limited space (in a hallway I think) and there were some v helpful suggestions and links to doors with hinges in the middle, that fold rather than open out. That might solve your problem, perhaps?

When I was a kid you could get concentina doors

I think that a sliding door might work. Another problem with the doors is that the mortise latch scrapes the bedroom door when the en suite door is opened.

Mortice

When I was a kid you could get concentina doors www.argos.co.uk/m/static/Product/partNumber/7014288.htm?CMPID=GS001&_$ja=cgid:7915114007%7Ctsid:41259%7Ccid:162024407%7Clid:46590034367%7Cnw:g%7Ccrid:27988944647%7Crnd:8483463943150802652%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:1o1

Take the door off the ensuite?

Pico - I think a sliding door would be the best option.

Hearts - I would hate for anyone to be subjected to viewing me on the loo :-)

When we lived in a house with an (minuscule!) en-suite, it had a sort of sliding half-folding door due to space constraints. There will be solutions for your situation.

I was thinking of approaching the builder for rectification. Do you think this would be cheeky?

no not cheeky go for it.

I don't think it would be cheeky - shame you've left it so long though! Are they an established builder, member of NHBC?

mous - thanks I will get on it. I hate contacting their customer services they are so rude!

aj - yes they are and we still have 8.5 years left on the NHBC warranty.

Not at all cheeky, it is a design flaw and a genuine risk. Don't just ask, make it clear that you expect them to resolve this.

We have a door that folds in the middle, works well in a small space and doesn't need a track.

If it's a new build have all your neighbours got the same problem?

Raising - there are 2 other houses which are the same as ours and I believe they will have the same problem.

The cheapest solution probably what the builder will suggest would be a self closing door fitting on the bedroom door

A bi-fold door for the bathroom? It is hinged in the middle, so doesn't swing wide when opening.