Family room facing lake
Help to maximize lake view
by
Diane
+11
Our newly purchased lake home has a beautiful lakefront, but the wall that faces the lake currently has two small windows 3 foot wide by 4 foot tall, and a 5 foot wide patio door that impede the view. Any suggestions with door and/or window replacements to maximize the view, while providing access to the outdoor deck. Ideally we'd like to leave the doors open to get the breezes, but we will need to have a screen to prevent bugs from entering. The picture shows part of the wall now, it does not show another window which is to the left of the patio door. Do we install a series of french doors, a big slider, or several patio doors -- we are stumped !
You can know buy floor to ceiling folding door systems that would take up your whole wall. Not remembering the name of the company but you can google it.
They can open part ways or completely to open your whole home to the outside.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj_vrfagPXTAhXJhFQKHZn8C6QQjB0IBg&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hedgehogaluminium.com%2Fproduct-types%2Faluminium-french-doors%2Fs1137%2F&psig=AFQjCNF-ocwHuy45G9ezs7MHGOXz25ozeg&ust=1495044445199369
Assuming the window on the left is the same or similar to the window on the right, I would consider removing both windows and replacing them with wider windows. Your door is nice and already allows for a nice view. With wider windows, you should have more light as well as a much better view. You could also consider making the windows taller (going down to the floor like the doors do)...but keep your furniture placement in mind if you do that. It will take away some usable wall space from the room.
Their are many options for sliders and they offer two advantages over your current doors; they do not have the large casings down the middle which obstruct view and are easily fitted with screens which are very unobtrusive. I agree with others that widening windows would be desireable and also lengthening them to match door profile...you could also change the windows to doors and have three doors. Professional advice critical to make sure headers are sufficient for additional load.
Do NOT even think about French doors in Fla. They only work well in Cali. where screens aren't needed as much.
Best option is sliders made for views. They're called "scenic" sliding doors and they "stack" as you open them wider, until they nest in farthest parts of the lake-facing wall. Here's an example: http://www.marvin.com/marvin/doors/scenic
Water views are sooo wonderful! Congratulations on getting yours opened up!
We bought a lake house recently and the open family room/kitchen face the lake. We have absolutely wonderful floor to ceiling doors/windows. They are sliders - the two center ones. The ones on either side are non-moving. There are sliding screens on the two sliding doors (lots of mosquitos to contend with). We leave the doors open most of the time we are there as they provide a wonderful breeze. I highly recommend sliders - they provide such a wonderful lake view!
If you have a deck or patio, you could make them screened in and then you would be protected from bugs and have an open view if you put in floor to ceiling windows or sliding doors. I would make sure whatever I put in would be safe for the storms that come through your area. Enjoy the view that God created!
I'm so jealous! Your lake home is beautiful. I'd check the foundation and structure of your home before investing in new doors and windows. But, I would look into larger floor to ceiling windows and an oversized slider door. I would like to see lighter walls, white woodwork, and definitely neutral fabric furniture. It's a great opportunity for you to make this YOUR lake retreat. What colors do you like, what design style comforts you? Got magazine inspiration? Go for it. Enjoy.
you could put in slider doors that open up the entire length of the back area - they either fold or they slide into the pockets on the doors- they could remove the small window and make all that a viewable area
Hi,
See if it is possible for you to have a Sliding set of doors across your room!