What You Need to Consider When Buying a New Glass Entrance

One increasingly popular architectural feature is the custom glass entrance. They work as alternatives to the traditional wooden or metal doors found in most homes. And by installing automatic glass doors in a commercial space, you can expect easier traffic flow and improved customer perception. Glass room dividers and sliding glass doors are suitable for all types of settings, from banquet halls to your shower. There may be many reasons for choosing a clear or sand-blasted glass entrance. Let’s find out what are the different door styles you can consider before glass entrance installation.

The 6 Different Door Styles for Your Glass Entrance

In general, there are six different styles. To help you choose the best one, here’s an introduction to each type:

1. Hinged Single Doors

This is one of the most traditional options, where the door frame is attached with a swivelling hinge on one side. They can be framed or frameless. The other side can be swung from the wall to open or close the door. There are different types of hinges as well, such as inward opening hinged doors, outward opening doors or both.

If you have a narrow opening, with little allowance to install folding or stacked doors, hinged doors can help maximize that space.

2. Bi-Fold Doors

Like hinged ones, bi-fold doors can also be framed or frameless. Two or more hinged panels are folded to make these entrances and can be pushed to one or both sides.

These doors are used to create the impression of a much larger space, as there are no structural posts to block the wall opening. They can be opened inwards or outwards depending on your existing space, much like single-hinged and French doors. Bi-fold doors offer the flexibility to choose whether to open them fully or partially. You can even use one door panel as the single active door to enter or exit.

3. Sliding Doors

As the name suggests, sliding doors open sideways instead of inward or outward. These entrances can be glided alongside the framework of the house or another glass panel.

This type of glass entrance doesn’t require structural support within the opening and can be attached back into the wall or framework. Therefore, they work best when you want to create a seamless transition between the indoor and outdoor space to maximize the view.

4. French Doors

French doors are a pair of single-hinged doors installed in such a way that they open away from each other. Traditionally they have glass panels with frames made of timber and can be swung inwards but today there’s much more variety. They can be used both for exterior and interior doors and offer a much wider opening compared to single doors.

5. Pivot Doors

Pivot doors can be either singular or multiple. Their hinges are mounted at the top and bottom, and often at either a centred or off-centre position. They are usually heavier and much bigger than single-hinged or French glass entrances. This is because the weight-bearing point is more at the centre and can support both sides of the frame.

You need enough clear space both in front and behind the door if you want to install them in your home.

6. Stacking Doors

Despite their resemblance to sliding doors, these glass entrances consist of more moving panels. Two or more panels can be placed behind one fixed panel to help them slide. Stacking doors are similar to sliding doors in function as well. They offer a much larger opening since there are multiple panels involved.

Advantages of Glass Doors

The aesthetic appeal of glass, as well as the option of customization, makes it a great addition to your interiors. There are many benefits to glass doors, from enhanced views to improved ventilation and better natural light. They also help create an open floor plan by blurring the boundaries between in and outside.

Their advantages:

• With frameless glass doors, you get an unobstructed view.
• You can open one or more panels since they can be slid individually.
• Glass doesn’t rust or peel and is mostly resistant to chemicals.
• Glass entrances don’t expand from sunlight exposure.
• The aluminum panels used in glass doors are resistant to termites and other insects.
• Natural light can enter your room much better, saving you on your electric bills.

Disadvantages of Glass Doors

• Glass can break or crack, but tempered glass strengthens the product to a great extent.
• Their transparency impacts your privacy.

Glass doors function in many more ways than simply being the front door to a room. They help divide it without obstructing the view and make your small rooms appear bigger with their seamless transition. If you consider the factors outlined here, you’ll be able to better understand which product suits you. For more information, contact a glass door expert in your area.