Every home could use more natural light, and sliding glass doors are one way to let it in. Their large frames with glass panes are visually appealing and allow more sunlight to enter a room, so you don’t have to keep the lights on as much during the day.
They’re also an excellent choice for framing beautiful views of the outdoors. However, sliding glass doors have some security flaws that you should consider.
Aesthetics
Sliding glass doors Toronto are an eye-catching addition to homes of all shapes, sizes, styles, and locations. They are versatile enough to fit into any design aesthetic, from mid-century modern to minimalist Scandinavian.
Unlike windows and hinged doors, sliding glass doors give you an unobstructed view of the outside world. They also offer a sense of openness, making rooms feel larger and less cluttered.
They’re also a great way to let natural light flood your home, linked to better energy levels, happier moods, and more restful sleep. The extra light will reduce your need to turn on artificial lights, which can save money on your electricity bill. In addition, it can help regulate circadian rhythms and prevent sleep problems. This is important for people suffering from depression, too.
Natural Light
Sliding glass doors provide plenty of natural light and an unobstructed view of your home’s surroundings. Whether it’s your backyard garden, beautiful trees or shrubbery, or the pavement and cityscape, sliding glass doors can make your outside world feel like a natural extension of your living space 365 days a year.
However, bare sliding glass doors can expose you to street lights at night and bright sunlight during the day, affecting your privacy and ability to get a good night’s sleep. Luckily, various window treatment options will allow you to control the light and privacy without impeding sliding door functionality.
Cellular shades, also known as honeycomb blinds, are an excellent option for sliding glass doors. They’re available in various fabrics, colors, and thicknesses to fine-tune light and privacy control.
Security
Sliding glass doors are one of the best ways to increase home security. They offer a better view of the outside landscape than hinged or French patio doors, making it easier to keep an eye on your kids and pets when they are outdoors.
Sliding patio doors are also a great way to bring in fresh air. They can be opened wide to let in a surge of air, which will cool your home and improve its overall look and feel.
Many sliding glass doors have a secure lock to prevent intruders from entering your home. They are also made from impact-resistant glass, which makes them more difficult to break. Some doors even feature a track lock to prevent thieves from lifting the door off of the ground.
Energy Efficiency
Sliding glass doors offer several energy efficiency benefits. They keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter thanks to their strong seals. They also allow a great deal of natural light into your space, reducing your dependence on electricity and helping you save on power bills.
The frame material you choose is also important regarding energy efficiency. Wood frames have the lowest embodied energy footprint, while steel and fiberglass have a greater one. Fiberglass, however, has a high insulating capacity thanks to its polyurethane foam core.
Sliding glass doors also make it easy to keep an eye on your children and pets while indoors. They do not require swing space, making them ideal for media rooms and bedrooms.
Flexibility
Sliding glass doors make it easy to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living spaces. This allows natural light to flow through the home, improving airflow and making the space feel larger.
They also offer a view of the outdoors, allowing your family to enjoy your backyard pool, the beauty of your landscape design, or the city skyline without ever leaving your house.
Another benefit is that sliding glass doors don’t need room to open and close, unlike hinged doors. This helps reduce the risk of doors being left open, allowing criminals to peek inside or accidentally opened by children or elderly family members who lose their balance and fall. You can also use auxiliary locking devices to further improve security.
