“extra” exterior doors: architect/usability -vs- envelope/security
Doors are great because they let you walk though a wall 🙂 for access/traffic flow. But they are negatives because they are a poor envelope, they are a lot higher cost (upfront AND maintenance) versus no door, and there is a minor security element, too.
Question: Our architect has several doors we’re wondering if we can get buy without. We’re happy with the architect, TBC, and these doors *DO* seem like the default design choices. Would we miss them?
attached is cartoon version of the structure:
#1 – master bed to deck. We’re pretty confident we are great without this.
#2 – garage to deck. The door seems “logical” but we’re ~75% sure we don’t want it. The mudroom adds just a few more steps to the traffic path this enables, And there is a walkway on the right side of the structure – so if you just need to get from street to deck/yard there is no need to pass through the garage.
#3 – less sure about this one. The garage will be insulated but only heated optionally. The firewall between the garage & main house will be insulated like the exterior walls, as will the ceiling – so this door doesn’t cost as much energy-wise. This door seems like something that might see occasional use, mainly to access the mudroom I suppose. Although “everything” is on the “view” side, so there isn’t any huge need here. But it’s yet another door to ensure is locked.
A few other notes: the house has a basement which will be the “shop”, so garage won’t see that kind of active use. There are NO utilities in the garage. There is no carpet between entry & mudroom (likely minimal wood, too – stone, tile, etc). Overall we hope to build “near” passivhaus standards (we don’t need the plaque, have an odd shape lot dictating a bit of a more complex exterior shape, and have a somewhat challenging combination of cold winters, hot summers, and poor sun exposure until afternoon.
This is a pretty abstract question given all the devils are in the details of the actual layout & our use … but hoping for some advice from folks who have had to make choices on door access & lived to be happy or regret it.
Thanks!
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Replies
I think I would pick 2 of the 3 in the garage
Only thought on the bedroom is do you want people walking in the bedroom from the deck?
Remember that doors take up the space that you need to open them, 3 doors is 27 square feet out of your garage just so you can open the door, no less walk to them.
I might pick 3 of the 4 on the deck.
I mean all the doors have a purpose, but how will you actually use the spaces?
It is nice to get something out of the garage from the front yard without opening the overhead, nice if you store deck furniture in the garage to access from the garage, nice to use the mudroom from the deck in the rain, or to let the dog out. Nice to open the bedroom door on a spring day. But are you going to do all these things?
neutral_grey,
I'd suggest dividing the decision between which you think are unnecessary, and those that might reflect just your lifestyle, and future owners might want.
When a house near me was designed for a client from Asia who wanted the kitchen to be completely separated from the rest of the living spaces, the builder insisted on framing in an opening - which did end up being put in a few years later when it sold.
I'd be tempted to do that with the door from your main bedroom onto the deck.
neutral_grey,
my opinion - drop the two exterior doors from the garage, and put in an internet connected overhead garage door to open and close it with your phone. save the wall space in the garage for storage/shelving. any house that i have seen with an unsheltered, exterior door from the garage requires a lot of maintenance (jambs & trim sucks up water and paint peels).
i'd keep the mud room door to the deck, but could be convinced to drop it. And put the money toward a bigger door or more windows from the living space toward the deck/view.
on the bedroom, i find it awkward to be able to see into a bedroom from the main part of the deck (assuming you would put a glass door there). With out current house (similar in basic layout to yours), we extended the deck along the back of the master to make a small deck/balcony. This provides views and deck access from the master, while maintaining privacy from the main part of the deck.
I agree with Malcolm - if you drop the door between the master and deck, frame it out with a header and studs for a 36" door in case someone (or you) in the future wants that door. Same for the mudroom door if you drop it.
And take pictures or video of the framing so you can pass on to future owners. I video'd our entire home after framing/plumbing/electrical and have referred back to it several times within the first couple of years. I should have taken the video more slowly, there were a couple shots i went too fast to see details.