Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Dividing doors ... for and against?
We've just dragged the original dividing doors for our front room out of the cellar and are wondering whether to put them up again.
I've seen a few posts on here from people who have got rid of theirs and would be really interested in why - do they get in the way, block light etc?
Any thoughts very welcome as it will cost us a bit to sort it out (they weight a ton and we'll need to get someone in to rehang them). Ta.
I've seen a few posts on here from people who have got rid of theirs and would be really interested in why - do they get in the way, block light etc?
Any thoughts very welcome as it will cost us a bit to sort it out (they weight a ton and we'll need to get someone in to rehang them). Ta.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by GillianM on
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On a bit of a tangent, we're getting doors hung this week by the guy from the locksmiths next to the railway bridge, so will let you know if I can recommend him, later in the week!
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Permalink Reply by Cml on
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Got rid of ours as they were horrible, ugly and - given that they had lots of glass panels in - a menace for little ones buzzing round the house.
Very much doubt they were original doors - the whole doorway looked like it was fitted by an ape, c.1971.
Advantages: we now have one big lounge, and it's a lot lighter and more spacious. Plus less places for the mice/cockroaches to hide.
Disadvantages: can no longer lock yourself in the back room to work away from distractions in the front.
CONCLUSION: If you have a nice, sleek life and a house which is not full of toddlers and clutter, put 'em back in. If not, back to the cellar until you have.
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Permalink Reply by Stuart on
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After several years of having them as a headboard in our bedroom, we decided to have them hung when the kids came along, partly to restrict their access (!) and also because (as they're original) we couldn't bear to throw them out. Advantages: lots of character; can seal off the two rooms so tv can be on in one room and the back room can be used for other activities. Disadvantages: they take up quite a lot of room even when folded right back (indeed, we can't use the door into the back room from the hall). And there's not much noise prevention between the 2 rooms with them on anyway.
Conclusion: I love them 60% of the time, and 40% of the time, particularly when I'm cursing not having a bigger living area (!), would love to get rid of them (and the arch/wall on which they're hung). Emotionally, I don't think I ever could.
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Permalink Reply by Old-Age-Emporium(OAE) on
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The world of the Victorian house dweller is divided sharply between those who have dividing doors and those who have communicating doors. When, after our first six months, we discovered and excavated ours from what seemed a solid wall but was really a thick sandwich of plasterboard-battens-acoustic tiling etc, they were so well behaved and laid back after twenty years of entombment that, like Bushy's, I just let them hang and fold back so long as they didn't disturb anyone. Then, since they were no longer dividers, I made the mistake of referring to them as communicating doors and, you know, the buggers haven't shut up since - nattering away over my head as I try to watch a bit of TV or read the paper. So Alison, be strict with your pair. After decades in the cellar they'll probably get ideas above their station. Divide and rule.
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Permalink Reply by Alison P on
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Amazing OAE, they just plastered over them!! I shall be strict, though in truth it is him indoors who is keenest on their reinstatement; I'm rather nervous.
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Yes Alison. While our predecessor (c.1960-1987) lived with his wife, both Ukrainian, in the back extension - kitchen, back lounge, scullery/shower/WC - the rest of the house was in bedsits, four above plus the two main receptions. That might seem like a mere eight residents, except that all those rooms were twin-bedded - so a total of 14 perhaps throughout the 60's, 70's, 80's.
I'd say your doors should add to the house's original features. Good luck.
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Thanks both. Food for thought.
Afraid we don't fall into the nice sleek life category (sigh, I wish ...!).
Bushy - was it easy to hang them? We still have the original hinges on the doors, but the holes in the surround are long gone.
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I didn't hang them myself but know a man who can (local, cheap). From memory, we also still had the hinges and I can't imagine it's a big deal to do the surround holes. We also had to get him to add door handles and bolts on top (to secure when closed). Let me know if you want details of our handy-man who fitted them. I think it was an hour's work max.
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Hi Bushy, great - yes can I have details? Have sent you a friend request.
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Permalink Reply by Steve Hatch on
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Hi Alison
Coming at it from a different perspective, I can confidently say that any lovingly restored original feature in these great old houses definately adds value, and future saleability to your home.
I take great delight in seeing peoples eyes light up when they realise the original communicating doors are in place. IMO the financial outlay to have them re-hung could be considered a future investment.
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They look lovely in our house where they still hang, and fold neately against the walls which is where ours live 99.9% of the time.
Pro's, look great, mean you can seperate the rooms if you need to, say for lots of house guests, or to save on heating bills in the winter etc..
Cons, makes putting shelves in the nook by the chimney on the opening side a bit of a pain - that's why we don't have shelves up on that side. They also take a lot of space when swinging open, so need to clear the way for moving them.
You could roughly plot this out with a bit of string first, to see if this will work (get some string the length of the door's width, pin it to where the hinges will be, and swing it around to see if it will hit any big bits of furniture or shelves that you may already have up in the nook).
When open, they do not block any light whatsoever.
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