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Woodworking Remodeling Design Dilemma

Remove Extra Patio Door

last year

last modified: last year

We have a wonderful addition that we use for our family room. We have a door that leads out to the patio (hiding on the right side of the photo) but then we also have these sliding doors that lead out to the side of the patio that never gets used. We are thinking about closing off those sliding doors so that we could make a feature wall with a fireplace and bookshelves. Is this a good idea? Where would I look to have someone do this kind of work to remove the patio door, re-frame, drywall, and re-side the outside of the house? Any tips/suggestions welcome!

What it looks like now with the patio sliders (ignore the mess please!)

Vision of what the space could be

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Comments (4)

kandrewspa
last year
It looks like you have enough window area on the other wall that you won't miss those patio doors. You need a GC. Were you planning on residing your whole house or just patching the hole? It's very difficult to match new to existing siding.
Sammie J
last year
I like the idea in concept. A question - how much space do you have between the wall and the closet? That would limit the depth of bookcase you could put there. Also, you'll have to figure something out with the ducts/vent, so that will add expense to the project. Where do you plan to move the tv?

It would be far more easy to put in fireplace without the bookcases.
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PRO
Beth H. :
last year
Great idea.

Fireplace is an extra cost. you may just want to do an electric one.

get some quotes from a few GC's or exterior house finishers to find out what you'll have to spend.

Removal of door, framing of the opening (keeping proper support since it is an exterior wall) insulation, drywall, interior finishing, exterior siding(? can it be matched?) Paint, and any electrical that may have to be moved or added to for the wall unit/fireplace adition. And of coursse the cost of having a unit custom built,
Lisa Hoeynck
Original Author
last year
Thank you everyone! These are all amazing thoughts so far! I have considered that we may have to move that vent next to the closet. Or, I have toyed with doing lower, shallower cabinets (we probably have 16" from the wall to the closet) with floating shelves above that could still accommodate the vent where it is.

I also think doing an electric fireplace will be the way to go. I plan to (hopefully) put a frame TV above the fireplace.

Our siding is a taupe/beige color from the early 2000s. I know we have some extra pieces but I'm not sure how much.

I would love to find lovely examples of a focal fireplace without bookcases in case that is an easier way to go. Or at least that could be phase 1.

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