Nearly 100 years ago, the phrase “location, location, location” appeared in print for the first time. Whether residential or commercial, when it comes to measuring a property’s desirability, this real estate mantra still rings true. And for homeowners who have found the perfect location, the next step is all about enjoying it with designs that create seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces. This is where knowledgeable building professionals come into play.
Designers, architects and other professionals can support this iconic approach to design by blurring the boundaries between the built environment and its surroundings. While there are many ways to seamlessly blend the indoors with the outdoors, folding glass doors remain a practical and popular choice for professional interior designers to make homeowners’ visions come to life.
Select, American-made folding glass doors allow massive openings to maximize the view—whether they are opened or closed. But that is not their only benefit for creating a seamless, well-connected design.
Folding glass doors maximize opening widths, functionality and aesthetics
Creating a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces can often involve large doors and windows to visually connect the two environments. However, larger, traditional doors require more space to operate since their swing arcs must be unobstructed to be used, which can significantly limit design options.
Folding glass doors sideline this issue. Their folding mechanisms overlap panel over panel to allow larger openings within smaller horizontal footprints. As a result, they have more potential to be used throughout the built environment. When built by industry-leading manufacturers, folding glass doors, like Euro-Wall’s Vista Fold™, allow a high level of customization to match nearly any design aesthetic.
Unlike traditional folding doors that open and stack to a fixed location, each segment on Vista Fold can open, close and move down the track. This allows for countless configuration options, double egress doors and the flexibility to effortlessly merge indoor and outdoor spaces. Further, Vista Fold’s aluminum frames support some of the largest panel sizes on the market, which give more options for creating the perfect opening solution. This door system can be configured in straight, segmented, radius, split height and 90° postless corner units for unparalleled design freedom.
The durability needed to push boundaries on ocean front design
While the look of a door is incredibly important, its ability to withstand the elements is critical. This is especially true of ocean front properties where high-salt, highly corrosive environments and the occasional hurricane or tropical storm can easily damage lesser quality folding glass doors.
In fact, durability was a key consideration for a luxury home on Anna-Maria Island, Fla., according to Jonathan Parks, principal architect for the project. Vista Fold has received Florida Product Approvals and meets the standards of Miami-Dade County and High Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ). This folding glass door solution allowed the team to maximize the view of the Gulf of Mexico without compromising their criteria for quality design.
Folding glass doors with high-strength hardware and components give designers and homeowners peace of mind that their homes will remain stunning for years to come.
Thermally broken folding glass doors let the views in and the weather out
In addition to withstanding harsh outdoor environments, it is important for folding glass doors to support comfortable and energy-efficient indoor living. The thermally broken Vista Fold system features a thermal barrier that effectively reduces heat transfer to help maintain comfortable indoor temperatures while minimizing energy consumption.
This thermal barrier coupled with minimal framing profiles allows homeowners in locations with extreme climates to enjoy their views year-round. These large-opening, folding glass door systems support designs that prioritize visual connection to the surrounding landscape without sacrificing a home’s ability to efficiently maintain a comfortable indoor environment.
Blur the boundaries with folding glass doors from Euro-Wall
Light-filled interiors that seamlessly transition to outdoor vistas are a leading design trend in the luxury home market. While designers and homeowners have many paths to achieve this aesthetic, folding glass doors blend beautiful design with functionality and durability.
Able to withstand the elements and integrate the surrounding area into a home’s design, the Vista Fold folding glass door system not only integrates a home’s surrounding landscape, but it can also meet a wide range of design aesthetics. It allows homeowners to enjoy their location whether they are indoors or out.
To learn more about how these American-made, European-inspired door systems can unlock luxurious designs, contact Euro-Wall today.
