How to Minimise Maintenance and Maximise the Benefits of Exterior Glass Doors

Glass doors can really change the ambience of a room – especially exterior glass doors which welcome in natural light. Rethinking the glass panes in your current exterior doors can reinvent the feel of your home and allow you take advantage of features such as reduced maintenance, solar control properties and increased security.

It’s important to know what to consider when planning the installation of new exterior glass doors to ensure that you take advantage of every opportunity available to you.

Exterior Glass Door Styles

Here are a few exterior glass door style options to consider:
• Not only aesthetically pleasing, bi-fold doors (which are similar to traditional shower doors) are ideal for use in cramped spaces and for use as dividing features in larger areas, especially indoors, however the main benefit is the creation of space and bringing “the outdoors in” when these doors are open.
• French doors (two doors comprised of multiple small panes of glass) are always en vogue. They present the opportunity to create the feeling of space and increase flow. The multiple panes can include different glass styles or tints – this is entirely dependent on your personal taste and the décor of the room.
• Sliding doors are convenient when looking to create a seamless pathway between interior and exterior spaces. The large panes allow for maximum light and slide away easily into a compact space.

Exterior Glass Door Considerations

Frosted and tinted glass: When it comes to privacy, frosting can be very useful to keep out prying eyes without decreasing natural light flow. Perfect for bathrooms and nurseries, frosted glass can be one shade or decorated with elaborate designs.
Tinted glass is also a great way for improving privacy while also providing solar control.

Self-cleaning glass: One of the most rewarding materials for use in your exterior glass doors and windows is self-cleaning glass. Using only the power of nature, your exterior glass doors can be kept cleaner and clearer with less effort on your part. The glass is treated with a special coating to react with UV rays and break down the accumulated dirt (photocatalytic stage). Once the grit and grime, is loosened, it is washed away by rain. The hydrophilic nature of the glass encourages the rain to sheet down the glass, therefore reducing streaking and providing a clearer view.

Double glazed glass: Using double glazed glass for your exterior glass doors presents a multitude of benefits. An effective way of keeping out excess noise, increasing insulation and strengthening the structure against breakage. Choosing self-cleaning glass as the exterior pane of glass will also help to reduce maintenance.

Glass Door Installation

When it comes to installing new exterior glass doors, the first few things to consider are light, security and privacy. A large window pane would allow for increased light, but may allow those on the outside too much of a view.

Tints and glazing can still allow for light to break through, while double glazing exterior glass doors increase security. A combination of glass and wood panels make for a cosier feel, improving privacy and security.

When considering a new frame for glass door installation, don’t just think about matching the rest of your fittings, but also the strength of steel (for heavier doors), the minimal maintenance of PVC (for glass doors), the benefits of lightweight aluminium (especially for large sliding doors) and so on.

There are also many ways to convert old wooden doors to allow for more light transference. Depending on your needs and what you have at your disposal, you could convert a stable door (often referred to as Dutch style) or a multi-panel wooden door into a customised work of art. Converting a wooden door into an exterior glass door is not only resourceful, but can be a fun project for a weekend handyman (or handywoman). But remember to measure twice and cut once, before firing up the old jigsaw!

Should you sacrifice light for security, opt for climate and noise control or enjoy the benefit of self-cleaning glass? It’s entirely up to you.
Now that you know what to keep in mind when making exterior glass door decisions, you can make an informed decision on what you want.