Materials and opening systems play a significant role in defining the aesthetics of a space and how occupants move through it. For new homes, designers work with homeowners to define project goals, explore ways to improve the functionality of a living space and find the solutions to challenges that inevitably arise in boundary pushing designs.
For example, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces with large spans of transparent glass can support open and inspirational designs, maximizing access to natural daylight and visual connection to the surrounding landscape. Sliding doors, and other flexible opening solutions, allow wider-than-average openings without requiring the large horizontal footprints of traditional swing doors. However, in the past, these systems may have represented a weak point in home design.
When sliding doors incorporate impact-resistant glass panels and a proven framing platform, they can help achieve both performance and design goals simultaneously. These opening solutions can even be made large enough to be considered operable sliding glass walls.
How have sliding glass doors improved over the years?
Previously, the design capabilities of sliding glass doors were limited to widths and heights of traditional swing doors. Even at this size, these opening solutions were able to save usable living space by eliminating swing arcs. However, industry-leading manufacturers have been able to increase the size, strength and durability of these systems to transform them from standard opening dimensions to full sliding glass walls.
The key to expanding size to sliding glass wall proportions is in using high-quality materials that are precision engineered into full opening systems. For instance, Vista Multi Slide™ from Euro-Wall uses impact-rated glass and engineered framing components that are certified to ASTM and TAS standards for wind loads, cyclic loads, large missile impact and forced entry. This system can also guard against water and air infiltration.
As a result, it meets and/or exceeds the criteria for both Texas Department of Insurance and Florida Product Approvals, so it can be used Miami-Dade County and other High Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ) even as a full sliding glass wall.
The benefits of sliding glass walls and doors in luxury home design
Sliding glass doors can offer a wide range of residential design possibilities. These flexible openings can help designers blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living by providing large spans of glass within strong but narrow perimeter frames. This was a key feature in the Sunset Lane residence in Holmes Beach, Fla. With impact-rated glass and a sturdy, energy-efficient design, the sliding glass walls foster a strong connection to the beach while contributing to a modern home aesthetic. They open the home’s interior to the expansive porches off the ground and second story floors, essentially creating more living space for the occupants.
Likewise, sliding glass doors can support improved accessibility for homeowners. For example, Euro-Wall’s Vista Multi Slide features an EZ Glide roller system to ensure effortless operation and can accommodate automatic openers. In fact, this sliding glass door system was specified to support the accessibility needs of an injured U.S. Army veteran who requires a mobility device to get around. Featuring large panels, this door system is easy to operate despite providing a full sliding glass wall aesthetic. In this way, Vista Muti Slide not only allows a more accessible floorplan but also maximizes the amount of usable living space available.
In both projects, the homeowners can enjoy larger-than-life openings without having to sacrifice usable living space.
Sliding glass walls expand potential home design possibilities
Sliding glass doors can be made larger than ever before. Manufacturers like Euro-Wall allow building professionals to push the boundaries of luxury home design by offering sliding glass door systems that can include up to eight panels per system. Vista Multi Slide offers panel heights up to 168 inches and widths up to 84 inches to span full walls with transparent glass.
Building professionals can explore how sliding glass doors maximize usable living space without compromising a superior design aesthetic by visiting Euro-Wall’s For Pros hub.