Wait... what? Garage doors in the what? It's true, folks. For those wanting to easily alternate between eating in a conditioned environment and eating al fresco, the simple choice just might be a garage door in this unlikely location. Just take a look at these four stylish examples and see what you think:
That first one up top is so appealing with its open garage door and all-around windows that the work space has invaded kitchen territory. Nice big work table there, isn't it?
Second is perhaps the best-known kitchen with a garage door: it's the Novogratz'! The third example shows just how great such a door could make indoor-outdoor living. And the fourth exemplifies how a large opening can really expand a small space.
What do you think? Would you like this unconventional door-type in your kitchen?
Related: Indoor-Outdoor Kitchens
(Images: original sourse unknown via Canty Shanty, Sixx Design, Coastal Living, New York Magazine)
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In Phoenix, there are a lot hip coffee bars and restaurants with big garage doors that open to the patio. It's fantastic during the cooler months, for the atmosphere and also the breeze. But, I think it's a little weird in a home. I suppose if you had a huge house and lived somewhere like LA, it would be cool. I'd take French doors over a garage door :)
I think I wish I lived somewhere where the weather and bugs allowed this... :)
in the northeastern US I would be concerned about bugs. In the evening there are tons of mosquitoes, funny beetles, etc. that come out in the late afternoon. The house would be crawling with insects if there were a giant opening like this. I guess maybe morning or mid-day wouldn't be too bad... but still. Seems a screened opening is a must in the northeast. I could totally see this working in LA where bugs aren't so much of an issue.
There's a bar in Cambridge, MA - "Miracle of Science Bar and Grill" That has garage doors in the dining area that just brings in energy when it's open in the summer. Along with it's periodic table menu on the wall, I love going there during the summers.
It looks good, but it doesn't have any insulation, so the kitchen is bound to get too hot in summer and too cold in winter. But I'm German. We are very keen on insulation (not surprising, given our winters and the cost of fuel and electricity).
I've looked for energy efficient garage doors like these, and couldn't find any. Energy efficient door that open to a wide expanse are very pricey (about than 1K/linear foot).
I think I like it. Like it is said above though, it must be primarily for nice climates year round.
The reason these examples are attractive is that the doors are all glass.
Pretty much any all glass door is attractive and succeeds in making a space feel larger and more airy.
In the right climate and the right home type, these would be fabulous.
Here in Pittsburgh, it seems like all the restaurants have garage doors. As soon as the weather gets above 40 on a regular basis, the garage doors go up.
I've never seen it in the South, though, although it's probably too hot down there to do it during the summer.
In upstate NY, you'll notice some people use their garages as living space. They've installed screens across the door space, and just raise the garage door to open up to the outside. (Just Google "garage door screen panels" to see examples.) With our bugs and humidity, it's probably a comfortable environment, if not exactly aesthetic (if the garage interior hasn't been upgraded).