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Flooring Design Dilemma Before & After

Flooring for in front of french door/ soon to be sliding door??

5 years ago

I have a weird french door in my living room. I plan on replacing it with a sliding glass door this summer. I want to get carpet in my living room but I do not want carpet in front of the sliding glass door. Would it be weird to put a piece of laminate the length of the door and about 3 feet out from the door and then have carpet the rest of the living room? Has anyone done this? Before pic attached. If I choose not to do this I will be getting all laminate

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Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design

5 years ago

Why the switch to sliders?

Laminate is actually a worse choice in front of an exterior door. Laminate does not hold up well to water (even the moisture resistant ones.) Some people put a tile portion in front, but IMO that always looks chopping and cheap.

Either do all carpet and use a rug in front, or maybe consider another flooring material for the living room.

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Comments (8)

PRO
Designs by Rikki
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
This would be fine. I have a 5' x 5' area of laminate that I put down in front of my front door and carpet in the rest of the living room. Put transition molding around to transition from the carpet to the laminate. I would suggest using a laminate that is moisture/ water resistant so that it wears better. If you have pets (especially dogs) get one that will be scratch resistant so their nails don't mar the floor. Home Depot has one called Life Proof that is scratch resistant and wont assorb moisture for up to 24 hrs.
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PRO
HomeDecorAZ
5 years ago
Same questions as above: Why switch to sliders?

If there's room in the budget, we'd recommend wood look tiles which are water and stain resistant, durable and can go with just about any interior décor style you can imagine.
PRO
Designs by Rikki
5 years ago
Sina is correct regarding basic laminate. Cheap laminate won't hold up. You have to get the better quality. I used a moisture resistant and scratch resistant laminate at my front entry and it is holding up nicely. The upgraded laminate is still cheaper than I high end wood floor. the 5'x5' area that I did cost me around $100. That included the flooring and the transition strips. The flooring already had the padding on it. If you buy flooring without the pad/ backing you will have to buy it separately. I got my flooring at Home Depot on sale at 50% off as it was special order that someone didn't pick up. Shop around for deals and specials like open box or special orders that weren't picked up. If you are a member of Sams, BJs, or Costco, a lot of times I have found clearance laminate deals.
PRO
Designs by Rikki
5 years ago
I like french doors. A better idea instead of sliders is to put a double leaf french door instead of the single leaf.
PRO
Door Corner
5 years ago
Love the French doors, but we agree that tile would be a better option as well. Good luck!
thinkdesignlive
5 years ago
Switching to sliders will let in a tad more light and will allow a screen and not impede furniture on the side walls. There are solution dyed nylon carpets that are better for cleaning. I’d go with spending more money on better carpet, periodically cleaning over an inset hard surface change.
SJ McCarthy
5 years ago
Tile is the most appropriate floor in front of sliding glass doors. Laminate will work if you live in a DRY area (no chance of mud or sloppy shoes going in/out) then laminate will work. But it looks best if you do an 'inset' (like a 4ft x 6ft area) infront of the doors - not a line or wall of laminate. And if you do this, you are going to have an area rug/entrance mat on the laminate/tile anyways...which is something you can do on carpet as well.

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