What Is a Dutch Door?

Custom elements are some of the best features you can add to your home. Luxurious homes are rarely one-size-fits-all, and every detail should be customised to the owner’s tastes and preferences. After all, the more personalised elements you have, the more comfortable you will feel in your living space.

Convenience and comfort are not reserved only for the extremely wealthy. Today, any homeowner has alternatives to the standard, builder-grade house elements. In this post, we examine a lesser-known but unique addition to your house, the Dutch door.

A Brief History of the Dutch Door

A Dutch door is a double-hung door that can open only at the top or like a regular door when the two parts are connected. It originally appeared in Dutch farmhouses to keep the animals outside and the little children inside. A Dutch door acts like a baby gate, keeping your toddlers or pets where you want them.

Dutch immigrants popularised this concept overseas when they migrated in large numbers, and the term is still used today for this door type.

Other Terms for Dutch Doors

Dutch doors are known and used in other parts of the world, although they might have different names. In Ireland, it’s called a half-door, while the Brits refer to it as a stable door.

Are Dutch Doors Safe?

Double-hung doors have more weaknesses than single-panel doors, but a high-quality Dutch door will withstand any force. They have built-in deadbolts at the top and bottom of each panel and a traditional locking doorknob. The bolts can be pulled back as you need to open either panel.

The Pros and Cons of Dutch Doors

Here are some pros and cons of installing a Dutch door in your home.

Pros

• They allow fresh air and sunlight inside while preventing debris from entering your home.
• They let you interact with visitors like delivery persons without worrying about escaping or aggressive pets.
• A Dutch door acts like a baby gate while you ventilate your room.

Cons

• Dutch doors may require more maintenance because they have more moving parts.
• They only work as intended and provide security when both parts are locked.

The Dollars Are in the Details

The cost of a Dutch door depends on several different factors. The price will increase if you want custom wood, safety glass, specialised locks or other advanced features. In general, you can expect to pay between $500 to $1,000 per door.

Is A Dutch Door Right for You?

You can opt for a Dutch door if you have kids or pets or if you simply like the farmhouse charm and practical features of it. They are sturdy, stylish, charming, and safe. Dutch doors can be enhanced with more features like glass panes, safety glass and custom locks.

Valley Windows specialises in custom timber and aluminium windows and doors that will fit any architectural style. Contact us today for all your custom windows and doors in Melbourne and the surrounding areas.

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