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Nothing brings the outside indoors like glass doors. They create an instant portal to the great outdoors. And with sliding glass doors that are also stackable/foldable, you can maximize your indoor and outdoor spaces while increasing your entertainment options. Below are some of the ways these versatile glass doors are being used today.
Natural Light/Energy Efficiency
There’s an abundance of natural light. Image: teng99/Getty Images
Sliding doors have extra large panes of glass and, according to Mark Liston, President of Glass Doctor, a Neighborly Company, when the doors are shut, they function like floor-to-ceiling windows that allow enormous amounts of natural light to enter. “This makes your home feel grander and more inviting,” Liston explains. However, he recommends getting UV-blocking glass to prevent sunlight from heating up the house or causing any upholstery to fade.
“Glass isn’t an effective insulator, but modern window technology allows sliding doors to grant you those stunning views without forcing your utility bills up,” Liston says. “Look for composite gaskets, double-pane glass and other features designed for energy efficiency.”
View/Versatility
It’s easy to keep an eye on the kids or just enjoy the scenery. Image: Caiaimage Martin Barraud/Getty Images
“Sliding glass doors come in many sizes and configurations,” Liston explains. The possibilities are endless, so these doors and windows can be used in various spaces in the home, including the dining room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living room and cabana.
Sliding glass doors also allow you to take full advantage of a fantastic view. “If your home overlooks a beautiful garden, or if you just want to keep an eye on your children playing in the yard, these large glass panes provide excellent views of the outside,” Liston says.
Space Saving
The perfect view to enjoy the sunset. Image: Astronaut Images/Getty Images
“Because they glide open, sliding glass doors help you maximize your square footage,” Liston explains. As a result, you can place furniture close to either side of the door and these items don’t have to be moved to open or close the doors.
Combine Indoor/Outdoor Living
Instantly transform your living and entertaining space. Image: Astronaut Images/Getty Images
When the weather is warm, these doors allow you to increase your entertaining space. “Host parties where some guests are indoors and others are outside without feeling too separate from one another,” Liston says. Add fire pits and you can entertain outdoors even when the temperature drops.
Stylish
Sliding and stackable glass doors fit any home aesthetic. Image: tulcarion/Getty Images
“The streamlined look of a sliding glass door adds an elegant aesthetic to any home,” Liston says. “It melds well with most architectural styles, especially modern designs, and offers unsurpassed functionality and practical use.”
Resale Value
Increase your entertaining options. Image: ShutterWorx/Getty Images
Are these sliding, stacking doors popular with homebuyers looking for a new home? It may depend on the market. “In southern California, indoor/outdoor living has always been a selling point,” says Sandra Miller, principal broker and licensed partner at Engel & Völkers in Santa Monica. “While the garage door trend was popular, it has been replaced by sliding walls of doors,” she says. “These are easier to manipulate for the user as compared to the rollup doors and, with a much cleaner design, they also look better.”
In markets where indoor/outdoor living is a selling point, Miller believes that the presence of a sliding wall of glass doors will probably increase resale value.
Practical and functional. Image: Martin Barraud/Getty Images
Patrick Garrett, broker/realtor at H&H Realty in Trussville, AL, is also located in a warm-weather climate. “I only see these style of doors in high-end luxury homes. In most cases, the doors are opening up to a pool area, a nice serene view of the ocean or a peaceful view of the mountains,” he says. “So, in the right home with the right views, they would definitely appeal to homebuyers.”