French doors advice

[mimsnet]

Hi everyone,

I'd be grateful if some of you could offer your opinions on the debate that's currently raging at our house...clearly we have too much time on our hands!

We're about to have french doors in our sitting room and are wondering if the windows at either side of the doors should open or not?

Our thinking is that windows likely wouldn't be open to let a slight breeze in, as we feel we'd just open the doors if it the weather's nice enough. Also, if we went for opening windows, this would add more frame, when ideally we want to maximise light?

However, would having opening windows in addition to the doors be useful?

Can't wait to hear all your thoughts!

I forgot to ask for them and I wish I hadn't.

We have a South facing house that gets very hot, but having the doors open when it's breezy is a pain.

how about louvred glass in the side windows. We had that in the tropics and loved them.

Definitely have side windows that open - if it were humid and stormy you couldn't open the doors without rain coming in. With windows you can get air without getting wet.

Thanks four and wow, I hadn't thought about the stormy/breezy point! I can see how they'd be useful.

Amarmai I like your style! That would add some interest

We have got an opening fanlight above our doors, which is great when you don't want the whole door open. Only suitable when you have a tall opening though.

Definitely have openers to the sides, for fresh air when it's breezy and slamming the doors shut, or raining.

Our older house had the windows and how we miss them now that we don't! Definitely must have! For so many reasons as other ppl have stated.

Thanks to everyone, what you've said is really helpful . I'll post some pictures when it's done!