Pro Installer June 2021 - Issue 99 | Page 14

News
14 | JUNE 2021

News

Read online at www . proinstaller . co . uk

POCKET DOORS – THE HOME PROJECT EXTENSION

Home improvement is on the rise in 2021 , with thousands of pounds expected to be spent on projects both big and small . David Newton of Brio explains why Pocket Doors can be a suitable extension for such projects and how to correctly choose and apply them .
Brio ’ s Pocket Door Kit
Brio , part of the Allegion family of brands , is a leading specialist in sliding and folding door hardware and has been shaping the spaces in which people live for over 50 years . Brio ’ s Pocket Slide 80 kit is a one-size-fits-all solution , designed to be easily adaptable to suit a range of door widths and heights and is the perfect fit for contemporary pocket door projects .
An eternity has seemingly passed since the pandemic struck , sidetracking plans and keeping many of us inside our homes in the process . Though , throughout this time , people have found solace in various activities , from getting fit and improving skills to spending more time on household jobs such as DIY and gardening .
If one thing ’ s for sure , plenty of homeowners have found themselves spending more time at home . And with most of that time being spent inside , it ’ s no surprise that those DIY projects have multiplied in their numbers and even evolved into larger scale home improvement projects .
In fact , according to 2020 reports , the average UK homeowner spent £ 4,035.70 on home renovations in the first lockdown alone . And on the 4th January 2021 , it was announced that the construction sector should continue to operate amidst the latest set of lockdown restrictions . This has been the ‘ green light ’ needed for this year ’ s home improvement projects , with predictions now showing households are expected to increase on last year ’ s spend , to a new average of £ 6,351 .
Creative Concepts
So , with home improvement spend increasing and creativity truly unleashed , what can we expect to see from these newfound projects ? Well , over the years , open plan spaces have often found themselves at the forefront of home improvement plans . Typically , the removal of partition walls in rooms has offered homeowners a larger , lighter , more social feel to their rooms , and is commonly effective in living room and kitchen spaces .
However , with the changes our modern homes are facing - think the requirements of hybrid workers and their home office spaces - are we likely to see a swing away from open plan living ? It could be that more people choose to opt for what ’ s known as a ‘ broken-plan ’ style - a new alternative to open-plan living . With this , adopters can reap the benefits of open plan spaces while still being able to create distinct areas or rooms that can
offer that additional privacy when necessary .
To make this style work , broken plan designs often make use of what we know as ‘ pocket doors ’, an aesthetic , yet functional alternative to knocking through walls - and a huge space-saver when compared to traditional hinged doors . Instead of opening outwards or inwards , internal pocket doors are designed to simply glide into a cavity that ’ s made into the adjacent wall . This gives users an option that ’ s hidden and doesn ’ t impede on access in smaller or tighter spaces , thus maximising floor space .
To find out more on Brio Pocket Slide 80 , visit : https :// briouk . com / blog / products / straight-slidingtop-hung / pocket-slide-80
Space-saving Potential
Pocket doors are growing in popularity and much of their growth can be linked to their space-saving credentials . In fact , pocket doors can create around 8 % more space in a room by reducing into their cavity walls and disappearing completely when open - creating that contemporary
, streamlined look that so many modern homeowners are searching for . However , their rise in popularity has previously left homeowners with a headache when choosing the correct hardware for their project . Today , there are different variations of pocket door kits , of which can be installed as a single door or in pairs ( known as bi-parting ). The choice is usually dependent on the size of the opening in question and it ’ s therefore key to ensure homeowners , and subsequently installers , are aware of those requirements beforehand .
Despite the several styles that are now readily available , homeowners no longer need panic over their selections . Specialists in door hardware now produce accommodating kits that are supplied in one standard size and that can be adapted on site to suit all panel sizes - making the entire process far easier than knocking through a wall .
Once installed , these pocket doors can offer great convenience and versatility in a range of rooms and spaces - think ensuite bathrooms , home offices and utility rooms . By widening the entry point for example , a finished pocket door can offer users increased ease of access with minimal effort required - particularly useful for elderly residents and wheelchair users , especially in those tighter space rooms such as bathrooms .
Perfect Timing
The many benefits a pocket door can offer , alongside their charming , aesthetic finish , is why we ’ ll likely see the continued adoption of ‘ broken-plan ’ styles in homes moving forward .
Pocket doors are a more practical option than the alternatives , and with their sleek , stylish finishes , it ’ s an option that ’ s becoming increasingly difficult for modern homeowners to ignore . Whether the living room , home office or bathroom , the pocket door is truly perfect for any home improvement project - and with more time being spent inside , has there ever been a better time to get started ?
www . allegion . com
Sources : https :// www . ons . gov . uk / economy / nationalaccounts / satelliteaccounts / bulletins / coronavirusandhowpeoplespenttheirtimeunderrestrictions / 28marchto26april2020 | https :// briouk . com / https :// www . allegion . co . uk / en / blogs / 2021 / brio _ pocket _ door . html | https :// www . money . co . uk / guides / renovation-nation | https :// briouk . com / blog / products / straight-sliding-top-hung / pocket-slide-80 / https :// assets . publishing . service . gov . uk / government / uploads / system / uploads / attachment _ data / file / 951441 / letter-business-secretary-to-construction-sector-january-2021 . pdf https :// www . atticstorage . co . uk / uploads / documents / Tips-For-Home-Movers-Improvers . pdf | https :// www . granddesignsmagazine . com / home-improvements / 149-a-guide-to-broken-plan-living-spaces