FenTiger

Long term I'd like to change our front door into a stable door. Two reasons: 1) the top half is open and dogs can't enter the house, i.e. cleaning inside house, 2) top half closed and dogs can come in or out anytime.
Would we need to find someone to make a custom built stable door?

Jack_Russells4ever

Nick, I also like stable type doors because of my dogs. I plan to install them both inside and out also because I can open all the interior doors and windows and draw cool air in after dark through the house when needed. I have not seen them at builders merchants but probably they can be ordered or a custom shop can make them quite easily.

FenTiger

For our house definitely the front door and kitchen door.
Might add one for the access to garage/cellar to draw cool air to flow into the main living area.

Peter_in_Hungary

A dog flap would probably be a (much) cheaper solution. Getting a stale door to fit an existing frame will be difficult, probably a new frame will be needed as well. UPVC stables doors are available but as with wooden type usually it is the top that opens separately so it is either top open or all open. I've not seen one where either top or bottom open independently (problems with the mid door seal make this difficult).
For ventilation the best is 2 open windows at opposite sides of the house for max air flow (depending upon the wind 10 - 20 mins. or less will give a complete air change in the house) or one window open for reduced flow. Tilt opening windows are very good for ventilation.

Expatrick

You're right about tilting windows, we have these now and they are great for ventilation!

FenTiger

Our new windows and balcony doors can be tilted. Once the new window and doors are added we should be able to take advantage of the air flow from the cooler side of the house. Our bedrooms are east facing, kitchen and lounge west facing.
Probably best for us to see how things go with the new doors and window for lounge and kitchen.
I'm not keen on dog flaps. Good point about an effective seal when both halves are shut.

Jack_Russells4ever

I wish I could install different windows but my old house is a registered historic house in my village and it is not allowed to change the exterior doors or windows to PVC . Any replacement must be wood and exactly like the original or very similar if replacing them all. The house is one of the Danu Swabian ones with the long covered porches. I am not allowed to do anything that changes the style of the house like adding a room on the front . On the inside I can do anything I like. Sadly previous owners removed the original type doors and installed modern pressed wood ones that are tacky looking and removed the old wooden floors and installed cheap laminate flooring. They also removed 2 chimneys that were for wood heat if the Hungaian gas supply gets shut down this year I will have to have new ones installed or freeze.

FenTiger

Not sure if four doors here are pressed wood. Closing them quietly is impossible! The sound of those doors reverberates around the house. Probably because of the tiled floor and wall, i.e. W.C. The other doors have two frosted sections. Again can't be closed quietly.

Sachina

I live in a traditional Hungarian village house where because everything is wonky, I can't replace doors and windows with PVC or ready made wooden ones. Some Slovakian/English friends of mine have just introduced me to a local carpenter who specialises in refurbishing and refitting the original doors and windows. When he came to give me a quote he said that he can refurbish and refit all but one of my windows in the kitchen and living room but will have to make new (tilting) windows for the bathroom and kitchen. All the windows will be double glazed. I've arranged to have the work done at the beginning of June.

Jack_Russells4ever

Some of my windows now have double glazing but all of my windows really need to be replaced and I hope to do them and the doors in a couple years. My project this year is landscaping my garden behind my barn with new trees and privacy hedge.I am halfway done with my plant installation project. I am getting another bunch of plants this week and a couple Magnolia trees. My focus this year is my garden landscape. They say if you always have projects you will live longer. By that saying I could live to be 100.