Folding glass doors allow residential and commercial designers to blend interior and exterior spaces seamlessly. These opening solutions feature an ingenious folding mechanism that maximizes space-efficiency. Select manufacturers offer these systems with sleek aluminum frames to minimize sightlines and maximize views. With these features, folding glass doors can offer uninterrupted vistas and effortless transitions between spaces.
Understanding folding glass doors, including the answers to the following commonly asked questions, can help project teams unlock breathtaking perspectives and inspirational visions.
What’s the difference between folding glass doors and bi-fold patio doors?
Folding glass doors can also be called accordion glass doors and bi-fold patio doors. No matter their name, folding glass doors feature panels that fold together on either side of the frame. This allows them to create massive opening widths without requiring the space needed for larger-than-average swing arc trajectories.
Because folding glass doors can be specified with transparent glass held within strong but slender frames, they can provide nearly unobstructed views to the surrounding environment even when fully closed. As a result, folding glass doors like Vista Fold™ from Euro-Wall can help create unique and forward-thinking designs.
Where is the best place to use a folding glass door?
In residential projects, folding glass doors can be used to open kitchens and living rooms into outdoor entertaining spaces like patios and pools. In these applications, they expand these rooms to maximize living space to better accommodate gatherings of friends and family. They can also be used to broaden opening options for bedrooms with balconies or anywhere else that would benefit from increased access to daylight, large but space-efficient openings and contemporary design aesthetics.
For commercial applications, folding glass door solutions can create sleek and modern storefronts that are welcoming and inviting. They can be incorporated into cafes and retail spaces to evoke the feeling of European design. When specifiers choose folding glass doors from Euro-Wall, they can achieve this timeless aesthetic with products that are manufactured in America.
Can folding glass doors withstand hurricanes and tropical storms?
Not all folding glass doors provide the same performance capabilities. But folding glass doors from industry-leading manufacturers meet Florida Product Approvals and the requirements of Miami-Dade County. These certifications mean these American-made folding glass door systems from Euro-Wall meet the most stringent requirements of building envelope design in the country.
Available as an impact-rated system, Vista Fold™ from Euro-Wall is approved to be used throughout the state of Florida, including in projects located within High Velocity Wind and Hurricane Zones (HVHZ). Vista Fold™ features some of the largest panels currently on the market, so designers can achieve uninterrupted views without compromising the protection needed for areas that experience extreme weather.
How large can a folding glass door system be?
Euro-Wall’s folding glass door systems can be up to 168 inches tall and include panels as wide as 52 inches. Architects, homeowners and builders can combine panels to create incredibly large openings along exterior and interior walls. And because these folding glass doors can be specified as thermally broken systems, they can maximize opening widths while supporting a comfortable indoor temperature when closed.
These questions and answers just scratch the surface of how folding glass doors can benefit a wide range of project types.
Want to know how folding glass doors can elevate your next project? Contact our For You Crew for a custom consultation today!
