We love doors! As architects working on Cape Cod, we are inspired by the antique utilitarian sliding barn doors we see in barns across the cape and simple pine panel doors on old Cape Cod houses. We also love working with modern glazed doors with many exciting options to open up views.

Historic Dennis Village Cape - Antique Front Door & transom

Chatham Village Historic Renovation - new 3 panel slider

There is so much to the architectural design of a new space – from what is your program(ie a new commercial space, accessory dwelling unit, a new home design? To how many bedrooms, bathrooms, garage, ects) to your site, sun orientation, budget, schedule, regulatory boards (historic!)... the list goes on! Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in the those big picture items that we forget to take a minute to look at smaller details that can really make a space special. Today we’re choosing to focus on doors!

A few years ago your options could be a little limited, but we’re finding more and more options on the market and more builders and installers that are familiar and comfortable with these products. We love a classic reconstruction of a historic door type all the way to a modern profile bifold that fully opens up and connects the interior of a space to the exterior (or screen porch!). We love the way these components can really change the overall feel and use of the spaces!

Here are a couple of door types we’ve used on recent projects that we just love and we have a few projects in design and under construction using some pretty exciting products!

Exterior Sliding Barn door

Association to Preserve Cape Cod - Barn Door

This project has been featured on our blog and Instagram recently. We renovated a historic barn replacing an existing overhead garage door for new Marvin full light hinged doors and working sliding wood barn doors.

Association to Preserve Cape Cod Barn - 3 panel Marvin Door with Sliding barn doors open

A3 Architects Barn - Sliding Barn Door

A3 Architects Cape Cod Barn - sliding door open with Triple Glazed Mathews Brothers slider

Interior Sliding Barn doors

Barn doors really had a heyday a few years back and while the trend has faded some – we couldn’t help but see how this door type can be really functional in high traffic spaces that don’t need much privacy. One of our favorite uses for this door type is in a hallway where a washer and dryer is located. For clearance around a washer and dryer you need a fairly large opening. This normally calls for a double hinged door, but the swings of the door can be cumbersome opening up into a hallway – insert sliding barn door! This keeps the hallway clear, provides a way to visually tuck away the laundry closet, and possibly add a pop of color & texture to your space.

Brewster Renovation - Sliding Barn Door at hall laundry closet

Dennis Net Zero House - Sliding Barn Door at hall laundry closet

Another location that can be fun to use a sliding barn door is at a pantry – easy to slide open when your hands are full

Barnstable Village Historic Renovation - Sliding Barn Door at Pantry

Lincoln Net Zero House - Sliding Barn Door at Pantry

Bifolds

Bi-folding doors have really become more common in recent years. Builders are more comfortable with the installation and the options and sizes available are really exciting! This door type opens to the exterior and stacks to either the left or the right.

The pros: You get one large opening (which is amazing!) We have some truly gorgeous sites on Cape Cod and we love idea of truly connecting your interior spaces to the exterior!

Net Zero Dennis House Primary Bedroom1 & Roof Deck - Loewen Bifold Door open (with views of the Marsh)

The cons: (we hesitate to say the cons of the door… more like the things to be aware of): The doors do open up to the exterior and take up some space that might impeded your deck furniture layout and/or traffic flow. In high wind locations, these doors are not advised, and it is recommended that you provide an overhang/small roof to protect the door when opened.

Dennis Village House Dining Room - Loewen Bifold Door (door closed)

Dennis Village House Dining Room - Loewen Bifold Door (view from interior)

Dennis Village House Dining Room - Loewen Bifold Door (view from exterior)

With all of this being said – our favorite application for these doors is onto a screen porch. This truly connects the interior living space to your screen porch/three season’s room when open.

Net Zero Truro Main Living Space & Screen Porch beyond. Bifold door fully open

Sliders

Sliders are great on the Cape! As mentioned above, bifolds are amazing for their ability fully open and connect the interior spaces to the exterior, but the doors opening up to the outside is something to consider (especially with Cape Cod’s tricky weather!) When we have a site located in a high wind area, a slider is a great option! These doors are well tested for our area and with a 4 panel slider – you get the light and visual connect with a 6’-0” to 8’-0” opening on a typical slider (there are also custom options where the open space can get even larger!). There are so many different types of sliders available from the standard style, to lift & slide, to a stacking option.

Eastham near Net Zero House - main living space with 4 panel Andersen slider onto screen porch

Point of Rocks Fishing Shack - renovation & addition / main living space with views of Cape Cod Bay

Historic Dennis Village Cape renovation and addition / view of main living space and 4 panel slider

& the Front Doors

From the classic Cape Cod style to something a little more modern. We love when the front entrance of the house makes a statement — welcoming both the homeowners & guests into the space.