Creating an Indoor/Outdoor Living Space With Glass Wall Systems

One of the trends to come out of the Covid pandemic is the trend toward home living. The fact that people are spending much more time at home, both working and at leisure, is having an influence on living habits and living spaces. Our homes have become our office and our refuge. The popularity of the indoor/outdoor living trend has us rethinking how we enjoy our leisure space. Creating a flow between indoors and outdoors increases usable space, and more space means more opportunities to create experiences with our loved ones. By opening your home to the outdoors with a sliding wall system, you turn your landscape into an immersive element of your living space. This gives you greater connection to your outdoor living space and incredible views. A movable glass wall system completely surrounds you in natural light and fresh air. Opening your home to the outdoors creates an uplifting environment that research suggests can make you healthier, happier, and more inspired! This post will explore your options and the pros and cons of creating a seamless indoor/outdoor living and entertainment space in Alabama.

The Benefits of Glass Wall Systems

Patio doors give you an unobstructed view of your landscape and bringing sunlight into your home. A good set of patio doors separates your interior living space from the outdoors, a sliding glass wall system allows you to open your home up to let the fresh air in and creates a pass-through from your home’s interior to your outdoor living space. With a multi-slide glass wall system, you can have a second kitchen outside; you can cook and prep food inside and carry it directly to your outdoor dining area and when entertaining, have tables inside and outside your home. You can open up multi-slide patio doors to let the sunlight and summer breeze in. A multi-slide glass wall system allows you to create a larger open concept living area. Multi-slide patio doors blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living. You can have up to 10 panels that open from one side or from the middle and tuck into a wall pocket so the door seems to disappear into the wall. With modern glass systems, panels can be controlled manually or automatically. With the push of a button you can open up your living space to the outdoors. Another benefit is the tracks they use can be made straight, curved, or meet at a 90-degree corner. The biggest benefit; these types of doors provide a large viewable area and flood your home with natural light. They come in a range of styles.

There Are Some Drawbacks...

The biggest issue for many homeowners is the price. A multi-pane glass wall system starts at around $1,300 per linear foot. Depending on the size of the installation, it may require engineering, and the potential installation may require that a beam or other structural adjustments be included. One of the big issues when installing a larger system is that the track that the system uses to operate must be protected during installation and construction. If the track is damaged or bent, it can compromise the entire system. However, if you have the budget, installing a movable glass wall system is an investment that will enhance your family’s lifestyle for years into the future. The second biggest issue we talk about are insects and getting into your home and this is particularly an issue in Alabama and the Southeast. There are options! We love Phantom Screens as an option to let in fresh air and daylight while elevating and expanding your living space—and keeping the insects out.

Types of Glass Wall Systems

Sierra Pacific Windows & Doors offers a range of wall systems in many styles, finishes, and types. Your system is custom-designed to meet the precise needs of your space. The four major types of systems commonly used when designing a moving glass wall

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Bifold Glass Wall Systems

Bifold systems use a top hanging design that makes them easy to open and close. Sierra Pacific wall bifold systems come in a range of interior and exterior materials.

Multi-slide Glass Wall Systems

Sliding walls are limited to 60 square feet in size. That means that panel height can be up to 12 feet tall, or the width can go up to 8 feet. Sliding wall systems feature multiple panels that slide open and stack against each other.

Pocket Door Wall Systems

Pocket door sliding glass wall systems seem to disappear into the wall when opened. Multi-slide pocket glass wall systems come in a variety of sizes up to 56 feet wide. However, most are two, three, or four panels. Pocket sliding glass doors are often installed in multiple units with walls in-between. These types of systems can often be installed without the need for any engineering. Typical panels measure 30 or 36-inches wide and 80-inches in height. Pocket door solutions can be customized to fit very large, or very small passage sizes.

Pivot Door Systems

A pivot system uses a pivot hinge in the center of the top and bottom of the door. The top pivot is the top side of the pivot point and anchors the pivot door to the ceiling. Doors are pivoted open and can be lifted and slid on the track to one side to create an open flow between the indoors and outdoors. Pivot door systems are not the best choice for creating indoor/outdoor living space and flow.

Opening your wall and creating an indoor/outdoor living space with a sliding glass wall system is a great way to improve your quality of life, especially in the enjoyable spring & fall months in Alabama. As we are spending more time at home with our families, a functional outdoor entertaining space allows us to create cherished memories.

If you're considering a large glass window or door system for your home, give Toulmin Windows and Doors a call at (205) 579-9793. We can help talk you through the options and logistics with open air concepts. We are proud to be the top retailer of beautiful Sierra Pacific Windows and Doors in Alabama. Sierra Pacific offers a broad selection of sliding glass systems, glazing options, window styles, and the longest warranty in the business! If you would like to learn more or for an estimate, give us a call today! We’re located in Tuscaloosa, but serve the entire state of Alabama.