Family Home Improvement in West London

Sue and Terry Streets have lived in Stanmore, West London with their two children since 1995. They're no strangers to home renovations, and have carried out several improvement projects over the years. What was once a garage is now their study; they've built a garden cabin which doubles as a games room for social events; and they added a third storey to their property for extra space.

More recently, the couple completed a kitchen extension, with the help of Origin Aluminium Bi-fold Doors.

Sue and Terry's existing kitchen and dining room was separated by a wall, which they knocked down to create an open-plan kitchen dining area. They also decided to make the room bigger by pushing the external wall out by a metre, ultimately creating a large, open-plan, relaxed and sociable space.

The Streets saw bi-fold doors as an essential part of the renovation in order to allow enough natural light in all year round and to maximise on their beautiful garden views. They chose Origin Bi-fold Doors in a striking 5 door (5+0) configuration with a weathered threshold and face drainage, to ensure their home stayed weathertight in cooler, wetter months. They were particularly impressed by the Origin Bi-fold Door’s slim sightlines, which enhanced the design aesthetic and ensured minimal obstruction of the view into their garden. They got their doors on a ‘your lead time, not ours promise’, meaning they didn’t have to wait very long at all for their bi-folds to arrive.

"We love our garden, and put a lot of work into it. So, we wanted to be able to enjoy it from inside the house too, throughout the day. Our new bifolds let us do this."

Functionality, security and safety were also important factors when it came to choosing Origin: the Streets were pleased with Origin's finger-safe gaskets, designed to protect fingers, big or small. Their doors feature a multi-point locking system with magnum barrel and Type 253/280 Hafi Stainless Steel Handle.

“We have a lot of young nieces and nephews, who love to run about, in and out of the garden." said Terry. "With the finger-safe gaskets, we don’t have to worry about their fingers getting caught in the bi-fold doors, which takes a huge weight off everyone’s shoulders!"

The couple's slate grey doors (7015), chosen from the Origin Colour Guide, complements the new kitchen's interior colour scheme, and provides a modern, minimalist look that is ideal for all seasons. In summer, the family frequently host big social events, with the doors opened wide so guests can sit inside or out without ever feeling separated. And in winter, the doors are closed tight, protected from the elements, effectively insulating the heat of the home due to the polyamide thermal break built into the aluminium profile.

They also fitted thermally efficient Origin Windows, which perfectly complement the doors  with an internal and external flush casement - really bringing out the room's modern feel.