Glass doors in some form are one of the most widely used architectural features used in buildings and renovations. Apart from opening the interior of your home to the outside world, glass doors tend to enhance your views while also improving ventilation and natural light entering your home. And all this is done while being transparent however they could also be showstoppers with their unique designs and their ability to blur out the line between indoors and out. To understand better here is a list of types of glass doors and the glass door benefits that you get.
What Are Glass Doors?
Despite being a wonderful statement piece for your home these glass doors are just doors that are made out of glass. Available with a range of different types and different mechanisms such as sliding glass doors to hinged to even pivot and bi-fold there are tons of glass doors out there. You can also choose from framed glass doors or frameless glass door options while adding a bit of color, style, and extra function to your doors.
Why Install Glass Doors?
Installing glass doors in your home could bring in a lot of improvements both practically and aesthetically. Most types of glass doors usually go beyond the interior design trends to provide a contemporary, classic, and timeless finish. However, their looks are just a part of the story. Installing glass doors tends to allow your home to get lots of natural daylight while also providing a more spacious feel inside. All of this is possible while accessing your garden and further outdoor views.
8 Types of Glass Doors
So what are the most commonly found types of glass doors out there? Well, there are multiple glass doors and each of them has its own unique properties. To understand which one is the best suited for your house you might want to take a look at all the various types of glass door styles.
1. Sliding Glass Doors
One of the most common types of glass doors where your outside views merge with the indoor areas and open horizontally is the sliding door. These glide effortlessly with glass panels on a track either above or below the frame. It is best used to create seamless living between both outdoor space and indoor home while maximizing views and daylight even when it is completely closed. They are one of the ideal architectural elements for living rooms even patios and balconies.
Benefits
- Could be recessed into the framework which increases the opening space
- Space could be saved by sliding along the wall rather than using hinges
- Could be either frameless or framed based on the budget and style you want.
2. French Glass Doors
As a pair of single-hinged doors, these French glass doors usually start from floor to ceiling in height. French doors are also a more elegant double-door variation that opens away from each other either outwards or inwards. Traditionally each of the doors has multiple glass panels but they could also be used indoors for partitioning rooms or as even external doors that open up into patios or balconies.
Benefits
- Could fill up a wider opening space
- Can open either outwards or inwards based on how much space you have
- Classic feel and look with quite an easy operation
3. Bi-Fold Glass Doors
The bigger glass doors as compared to single folding glass doors the bi-fold glass doors that are quite a popular option for homeowners who have got large properties. Maximizing the space like single-fold doors these bi-fold contain at least two or even six or more glass panels that are joined by hinges. They tend to fold back on the tracks to open up fully hence creating a completely open area room. One of the best applications of bi-fold glass doors is to use them in terraces gardens or even living spaces where you want to maximize the space you live in.
Benefits
- Could be facing either outwards or inwards based on the internal space availability
- A wow factor for any home be it with frameless or framed options
- Compact designs tend to create wider space
4. Pivot Glass Doors
A variation on the traditional hinged doors is the pivot glass doors. These are hinged centrally at both the top and bottom of the door rather than on the side of the doors. Installed as either single or multiple doors each of the glass panels in this type of door tends to move independently and hence points both inwards and outwards. A series of pivot doors could also seem similar to bi folding door when they are closed. Since they are designed to provide a dramatic entrance within your home they are best used in entryways or modern houses.
Benefits
- Weight-bearing hinges could be attached centrally instead of attaching it to the sides
- Panels could be angled to deflect any breeze that enters
- Could be a great option for wider non-standard openings.
5. Hinged Glass Doors
One of the most standard and traditional designs of the door is the hinged glass door. They have a swiveling hinge on one of the sides of the door frame which enables the other side of the door to swing open towards the wall. These doors could be easily opened either towards indoors or outdoors. These types of hinged doors are usually found in bathrooms or internal doors.
Benefits
- They do not require a lot of maintenance
- Maximizes the space when there is a narrow opening
- Could be frameless or framed based on the budget and taste of the customers.
6. Stacking Glass Doors
While looking quite similar to sliding doors these stacking glass doors have more of the moveable panels. Usually, when you add in two or more panels where each panel tends to collect and lock in with the next as they slide through the track behind the one in front, they are called to be stacking glass doors.
Benefits
- They have many benefits similar to those of sliding doors
- Additionally, since they have multiple panels they could accommodate even larger spaces
- It also allows how wide you want the glass panels to open up.
7. Frosted Glass Doors
Frosted glass doors have a frosted appearance and rough texture. This also provides a chance to get intricate designs on the glass. This process is quite famous since they were used for doors and windows or bars and public houses in the Victorian age to give them a royal look.
Benefits
- Improves energy efficiency with the panels holding in heat or by keeping it cool based on the weather
- Improved lighting without any privacy problems being invaded.
8. Frameless Glass Doors
Frameless glass doors are one of the most sturdiest and tempered glass doors that do not need any kind of metal support or frame material to be attacked to make it stable Although it is most commonly used in shower doors they could also be used for stairways, partitions, balconies, etc.
Benefits
- Views remain unobstructed since there is no frame to block your views
- Provides better lighting to your indoor space
- Increase the aesthetic value and also easy to clean
Why Choose Finepoint For Glass Doors?
With a huge range of types of glass doors at Finepoint, you could be spoilt for choice when it comes to your house’s renovation. This article also provides you with the different types of glass doors and their benefits you get which will help you make the right choice. So when the time is right you can just choose to talk to Finepoint and get more details about how you can get the best glass doors for your business or home. Especially with 30 years of experience, our knowledge and experience in creating the best for your home is second to none!
Conclusion
Well. Those were a few of the various types of glass doors and their benefits. Also do remember the appearance of your home is what creates the best impression regarding your space. But apart from the aesthetics, do not forget that these glass doors are also responsible for your security. Hence selecting the right glass doors for your home is very important.
FAQs
1. Which type of glass door is best for energy efficiency?
Sliding doors which are made of low E glass or triple glazing are one of the best doors for energy efficiency.
2. What are the maintenance requirements for glass doors?
There needs to be regular washing and drying of glass doors to ensure that there is better and long-term durability.
3. Can glass doors be customized to fit my specific needs?
Yes, glass doors are quite versatile and can be adjusted according to your needs.
4. Are glass doors safe for homes with children and pets?
If not installed properly, then the glass doors could be a risk for houses with children and pets. Also when small children run, they cannot view the glass due to its transparent nature hence increasing the risk of injuries.
5. How long does it take to install a glass door?
It hardly takes around 30 minutes to 1 hour to install a glass door based on the door you are choosing.
Author Bio
Anant Gajjar, Finepoint Glass Ltd CEO, has over 16 years of experience in the glazing industry as an entrepreneur and a structural engineer. He has completed his Master of Sciences (MSc) in Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Sciences (BSc in Civil Engineering) both in London and in India. Anant has a passion for travelling and creating meaningful connections worldwide.