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Remodeling Design Dilemma kids room

Don’t want patio door

5 years ago

We have sliding glass doors in a bedroom leading to our patio. We’d like to remove the doors so that we can make the room our autistic son’s room, but our house is 70s brick. If we cannot match the brick, what can we do for the exterior?

Featured Answer

Nancy R z5 Chicagoland

5 years ago

I was going to suggest converting it into windows, that has already been suggested. I would make the windows go all the way across and fill in the width of the sliding doors, if possible. Then you would only need to use the siding underneath the windows. I don't know what's going on on your patio, but you might be able to sort of hide the siding by putting something such as a large potting shed in front of it. And/or some potted plants.

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Comments (7)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
5 years ago
Just change the doors for windows and if you worry about him breaking the window there are safety glass options.
Side3
5 years ago
Are there any other windows in the room? You need at least one decent size for fire egress. That being said, on the exterior I would put vertical trim boards on either side of the opening and then run horizontal siding in between. If it’s a dark room and you have another window for egress on another wall, I would put a narrow window across the top for natural light.
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Thank you @Patricia Colwell that is what I needed. And I posted a pic of the space not sure if you are referring to entire space. This was the only pic I could get from someone elseks home, so please bear with me. My home is still to be built this year. Here is a clear one without the measurements. The patio doors are in the great room, the kitchen is to the right and the other area with windows is the kitchen nook. All 12 ft ceiling, so I need something fairly coordinated, but the nook will have blinds/drapes. I just do not want verticals for the patio doors. I am really not crazy about sheers either but would consider. I suppose if I do sheers they will need to be at the same height the side drapes will be. Not sure I can do anything that would sit at the top of the patio doors, unless they are solar shades but I don’t know if those would look good, either.
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chiflipper
5 years ago
Most municipalities require minimum 10% glass (for natural light) in each room. (A 10x10 bedroom requires 10 sq ft of glass.) ALL bedrooms must have an exit to the exterior (fire code). Some bedroom codes are very specific as to height of sill above floor. Start with your local codes first.
PRO
PPF.
5 years ago
If we cannot match the brick, what can we do for the exterior?

Use siding. If you are replacing with windows, I'd make them as wide as the opening.

This shows infill between columns to close in a porch, but the idea is the same.
jabsalom
Original Author
5 years ago
There’s a good size window I the room as well. I didn’t think to mention that. We just worry that he might decide to open the door and roam around. He decided to shove a whole package of hairpins down the sink recently, lol. We never know! I just can’t imagine a large patch of siding looking good when the entire rest of the house is brick. Also, even if we put a window, what do you do with the area underneath the window if you can’t match the brick?
Nancy R z5 Chicagoland
5 years ago
Oops in the above comment I meant potting bench not potting shed.

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