10 Questions You Should to Know about glass swing door

“What could be so confusing about buying a glass shower door,” the couple said to me after I commented, there’s more to purchasing a shower door than meets the eye.

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And to prove my point, here’s a few key features of shower doors you’ll ignore at your own risk:

• What’s the makeup of the glass?
• What’s the height of the glass shower door?
• How will your door operate (swinging, sliding, walk in)?
• Will the shape of the glass door ‘play well’ with the shape of the shower pan?
• How clear (or obscure) will the glass be?
• What hardware or frame finish is best?
• What design of the door will make it simple to get in if my mobility declines?’

Glass shower doors ARE NOT as simple as they appear at first glance. Buying the wrong door can make your life a pain in the rear for years to come. Plus, they’re often not a ‘cheap date’ either.

So, how can you make sure you make the right choice the first time?

One big step you can take for mankind (or at least for your home) is to understand glass shower doors. It’s to be in on the industry secrets few remodeling salespeople or CSR’s – (Customer Service Reps) walking the aisles of your favorite home center are likely to tell you about (or even know for that matter).

So, without further delay let’s look at 10 secrets nobody tells you about glass shower doors.

Secret #1 – Glass doors DO NOT block out all the water – or the water spots which come with them…unless you know this secret

If you’re like most people, you assume a glass shower door blocks all water from penetrating the glass shower door.

And although you’d think this was true – in reality hard water deposits (and spots) CAN penetrate the glass, then become impossible to get out.

And if your water isn’t as pure as you’d like, the way to combat against spots becoming embedded in your glass shower door is to buy a glass shower door coated with glass surface protection.

It’s like RainX for your glass shower door.

Secret #2 – If you’re buying a sliding (or bypass) glass shower door, the height of the shower glass IS NOT what you should pay attention to.

If you grew up being called ‘stretch,’ or people annoyingly asking you, “What’s the weather like up there,” you know being tall can be a curse!

And when it comes to buying barn-door style sliding or bypass glass shower doors although you may be paying attention to the height of the shower glass (so you won’t get wacked in the head while entering) it’s actually NOT what you should focus on.

No, the key stat tall people need to know is how much distance is under the rail of a sliding glass shower door (which is lower than the glass door itself).

Knowing this measurement will prevent you from getting knocked senseless when you’re in your haze getting into the shower in the morning.

The Ultimate Glass Door Shower Guide

A clear guide to making the best bath or shower glass shower door choice

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Secret #3 – Pivoting shower doors DO NOT swing in all the way…. on purpose.

If you’d like a pivoting glass shower door because it gives you more width (for your – unfortunately, expanding waistline) to get in, you’re not alone.

And while you may (and should) pay attention to how far out the door will swing (so it won’t bump into your toilet, vanity, or partner), what many people don’t consider is how far the door will swing in.

And most people are surprised to learn shower doors do not swing in as far as they swing out for one important reason. That reason is safety. You never want a situation where the swing of the door will trap a person whose mobility isn’t good on the inside of the shower (unless it’s your mother-in-law, but that’s another story).

Secret #4 – Curved glass shower doors WILL break the bank unless they’re made in standard sizes

Curved glass shower doors will increase space inside the shower (especially bowed sliding glass doors) and add style far beyond what a standard square or rectangular shaped door can accomplish.

However, before you get your heart set on curved glass – be aware if you’re looking to order custom curved and bent glass you better be living in an income bracket where cost IS NOT an issue (or you’re SURE your lottery ticket is the winning number this time!). Because custom curved and bent glass will send you back A LOT of pretty pennies!

However, if you want curved glass (for the style, or space it creates) and don’t have an Elon Musk budget, look for curved glass shower doors which are made (in volume) with standard shower pans, like you’ll see in the shower door below.

Curved is not out of the question IF you’re getting standard curved glass made in volume.

The Ultimate Glass Door Shower Guide

A clear guide to making the best bath or shower glass shower door choice

Get the Guide

Secret #5 – The glass isn’t as clear – unless it’s ‘ultra-clear.’  

You don’t need to be a superhero (like Ultra Lord from The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron) to ‘see’ the clear advantages of ultra-clear glass shower doors.

This is because what many people don’t like about glass shower doors is the greenish hue of the glass.

And if you’re building a custom home – where everything is top of the line, you might as well make sure your glass shower door also maintains this high standard.

And one way to do that is with ultra-clear glass. Ultra-clear glass is similar to comparing a crystal goblet to a standard drinking cup. Since iron (which is a component of glass) is (largely) removed from ultra-clear glass it’s essentially colorless – unlike a standard glass shower door (with its greenish hue).

Secret #6 – If you’re buying a shower with a round, NEO angle, or funky shape, buy the shower pan AND the glass door from the same place.

Since you need to install the shower pan earlier in the bath remodeling or new home building process, it’s tempting to go out and buy the base, then worry later about the door. And while this strategy won’t bite you in the butt if you’re building a square or rectangular shaped shower – it can be a B-I-G mistake for a round, curved, or NEO angle shower.

You see shaped shower pans are not built to ‘universal’ standards (it’s like your cell and other electronic devices where they change the connections, so you HAVE TO buy the same manufacturer’s parts to go with it. It’s a pet peeve of mine I’ll bet a few of you out there share!).

So, when you buy a NEO angle or round shower pan you’re ‘locked into’ buying the glass shower door from the same manufacturer (whether you like their glass shower doors or not) so the glass and base will work together.

To make a smart ‘combined selection’ I’d recommend for a unique shower shape shop for the glass shower door at the same time you buy the shower pan to make sure you actually like the glass door (and how it operates) before you get ‘stuck with it’ because you have no other options.

The Ultimate Glass Door Shower Guide

A clear guide to making the best bath or shower glass shower door choice

Get the Guide

Secret #7 – An ‘invisible’ glass door product can save you from a bloody accident.

I hate to go ‘gloom and doom’ on you, but if you’ve ever seen the aftermath of a shower door which exploded you’ll know it’s not a pretty site.

Broken glass and naked bodies DO NOT go together like peanut butter and cherry jelly!

So, how can you make sure (in the unlikely occurrence) that your glass shower door shatters it won’t become a bloody experience for you or a family member?

The way to do this is to make sure you’re getting a glass shower door equipped with a ‘safety coating’ so glass pieces won’t break onto you if the door were to shatter. Check out the video below to see how this works.

Secret #8 – In the words of Satchel Paige (the first African American pitcher in the major leagues), “It’s not what you know, it’s what you know that just ain’t so!”

Has your spouse or significant ‘utter’ said to you, “You’re not wearing that shirt with those pants are you?”

If this has happened to you, you may not be the ‘fashion-plate’ you thought you were!

And when it comes to ‘fashion’ choices in bathrooms (and glass shower doors), while they don’t change as quickly as clothing trends, they certainly DO NOT stay the same either.

And when you’re choosing glass shower door hardware or frame finishes things ARE different than they were years ago.

Don’t get suckered into buying a ‘bright brass’ shower door or ‘oil rubbed bronze’ fixtures because they’re ‘on sale.’

In today’s market, when it comes to hardware – remember that ‘matte (finish that is) is where it’s at.

Consider up-to-date looks like matte black sliding shower doors or matte brass bypass doors.

Before buying a new shower door which is behind the times, get input from a shower designer because as Satchel Paige (the first African American pitcher in the major leagues once said), “It’s not what you know, it’s what you know that just ain’t so.”

Don’t live in a ‘fashion time warp’ by choosing the wrong finish or style for your shower door.

The Ultimate Glass Door Shower Guide

A clear guide to making the best bath or shower glass shower door choice

Get the Guide

Secret #9 – Understand your door IS part of a safe entry.

You spent a ton of time researching (then buying) the perfect barrier free shower pan.

Then your builder or remodeler showed up with a glass shower door with a track at the bottom. You looked at it and thought, “How the heck (Ok, not the exact word you used, but this is a family-friendly blog) am I going to roll over this shower door track if I need a wheelchair down the road?”

The design of the glass shower door is essential to a safe and barrier free entry.

When thinking about a roll in or age in place shower, make sure the shower door is not the forgotten (red-haired stepchild) part of the process.

Secret #10 – A glass shower door can be for everybody – even your furry friends!

Oh, the things we won’t do, or the money we won’t spend, on our ‘furry friends.’

And why shouldn’t we love the heck out of our furry friends? They certainly don’t complain like the rest of our family! A few treats and some play time, and they keep on lovin’ you.

So – if you’re in the process of designing a shower for your dog, why not also get a glass shower door designed specifically for them as well. After all, they deserve it… no matter what Kristi Noem thinks!

For more glass swing doorinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

So, do you understand more about glass shower doors and how to make a smart purchase? Can I (and my team) help you sift through options?

I know there’s more to understanding glass shower doors than meets the eye. However, I hope this article has helped you gain insights on the best glass shower door for your job.

However, if you need more help (or pricing) with a glass shower door, shower base, shower wall surrounds, or niches our Shower Specialists would love to help.

Call 877-668- or request a Free Design Consultation.

And if you’re looking for a contractor to assist with your project, ask for a referral to one in our dealer network. And lastly, if you’re looking for an Akron or Cleveland shower remodeling contractor call 216-531-.

Thanks for reading!

Mike

If you’re looking to buy new patio doors, you probably have some questions. You want to make sure you’re buying the right doors for your home and your budget.

In this article, we’re sharing our answers to the top 10 questions about patio doors that we’re asked by homeowners buying new patio doors in the Morrisville, NC area.

1. What affects the cost of a patio door?

Not surprisingly, this is one of the most common questions about patio doors that we are asked.

Four main factors can affect the cost of a new patio door:

Size: Generally, larger doors tend to cost more because they require more material to make and more labor to install.

Glass: Glass is the main factor in the cost of a patio door. The more glass a door includes, and the more ornate the glass, the more expensive a door will be, generally speaking.

Low-E and other energy-efficient glass options will also cost more than less energy-efficient glass. But, keep in mind that you may wind up spending more if you go with low-energy options. That’s because, over time, you will spend more on doors that have poor energy efficiency. You can read this article for more guidance about buying energy-efficient doors.

Security features: Security is an important feature of exterior doors. The standard lock on most patio doors is a double-bore lock. This has two holes; one for a handle set, and one for a deadbolt. If you want additional security, at a slightly higher price, you can invest in a multipoint lock system.

2. Should I get a hinged or sliding/gliding patio?

When considering adding or replacing a patio door, this is one of the first decisions you’ll need to make. You should know that sliding and gliding are interchangeable terms for the same type of door.

A hinged door may be a single door that swings in or out.

Or, it may refer to a double-hinged door, like a French door.

Alternatively, you may choose a sliding door, which operates on a track. This is at minimum a double door, but you may also have additional panels added.

However, you may also choose a stack and slide option, where multiple sliding doors can stack into each other to create a large door opening.

There are a few key factors in deciding which option is right for you. As a rule, sliding doors can be made larger. If your vision includes ample indoor/outdoor living space, then this may be the option that best meets your needs.

Sliding doors can also offer a bit more flexibility because they don’t require clearance. Alternatively, if you opt for a hinged door, then you’ll need to be certain that you have adequate clearance on both sides of the door to allow it to open without bumping into furniture.

3. If I choose a double door, will both doors operate?

If you do opt for a double door, then you’ll need to also decide whether you want both doors to be operable, or if you want one to remain stationary.  A stationary door is one that cannot ever be opened. It may be better thought of as a window that mirrors the look of your operable door.

Whether you choose a hinged or sliding door, if you have more than one door, you’ll need to make this decision.

In our humble estimation, we can’t think of a compelling reason to choose a stationary door.

Keep in mind that you can choose to have a passive door in addition to your door that operates. A passive door is affixed to the astragal (the hardware between two doors that seals the gap between them when they are closed). But, a passive door can be opened by unlatching a lock, usually at the top of the door.

Given the practicality of having the option to open both doors (such as if you’re moving large furniture or appliances), we usually recommend that people choose an operable or passive door over a stationary door.

Note that none of these options changes the cost of the door.

4. Can you replace a sliding door with a hinge door, and visa versa? What about replacing a window with a patio door?

If you have the clearance space to allow for a hinged door, it is very easy to exchange a sliding door with a hinged door. The reverse is also true; it is not difficult to swap out a hinged door for a sliding door.

Replacing a window with either type of door usually means making a larger rough opening than what is currently there. Unless your window went down to the floor, this will require opening the sheetrock and adjusting the framing of the studs and plates around where the door will go.

Thus, we would say that it is certainly possible to turn a window into a door, but that it may cost more than just replacing a door with a door due to the increased labor requirement.

5. Is a steel door the strongest patio door?

Many of our customers believe that a steel door is the strongest option there is when it comes to patio doors.

But maybe Superman should have called himself the ‘Man of Fiberglass’ because Fiberglass is actually the most durable option you have for patio doors.

Because of how easily it is dinged and marred, we actually see that steel is the least durable option for a patio door.

6. What color sill/threshold should I get?

This is one of the questions about patio doors that no one thinks about until we call their attention to it.

Typically, customers want the sill, or the piece of the door that you step on when you cross the threshold, to match their handle set and hinges, if applicable. Thus, it’s important that you know what color sill you want when ordering your new patio door.

7. Do patio doors have tempered glass?

Yes!

The International Residential Code (IRC) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings is a comprehensive code that compiles all building requirements for residential homes into one convenient code. IRC sets certain building codes that specify where tempered glass should be installed in a home to prevent injury or death.

According to the IRC, “all glass panels in fixed, sliding, swinging, operable, or bifold doors should have tempered glass or laminated glass installed.”

This means that the glass elements of all patio doors, regardless of whether they operate, must be tempered.

So, you don’t need to worry about family members or pets injuring themselves if they accidentally run or fall into the glass by accident. Rest assured that the glass of your patio door will be tempered to prevent serious injury.

8. Do patio doors come in standard sizes?

There are a few ‘standard’ patio door widths for double doors, and these are 60″ or 72″ (5 or 6 feet across, respectively).

However, it’s important to know that, because of the high degree of customization available with patio doors, it’s very likely that the door you order may be a different size than the door you’re replacing.

That’s why it’s important to work with an installation team you trust, to ensure that you approve of how they plan to address this difference in size with moulding or siding.

9. How can I protect my privacy through my new patio door?

Patio doors are great for enjoying the view of your yard and letting natural light fill your home. But, patio doors with lots of glass may prevent a challenge when you want some privacy. Luckily, you have an array of options when it comes to getting the privacy you want from your new patio doors.

You can choose from a variety of obscured glass options to prevent others from being able to see into your home. However, this also means that you won’t have a clear view through the door or doors either.

If you want to be able to see out clearly, your best bet might be window coverings or blinds. We’re especially partial to blinds between the glass for patio doors. This option allows you to have a full-light door when you want one, but to lower the blinds and create privacy whenever you like. It’s an additional bonus that kids and pets can’t damage the internal blinds.

10. What’s the maintenance like on patio doors?

Patio doors are generally low maintenance, but there are some important things you should do to keep them operating well.

If you have a sliding patio door, you should ensure that the tracks stay clean and clear of debris. Though, if you have an Andersen patio door, you won’t have to worry about this. Their sliding tracks are engineered and raised to prevent debris buildup, which is a definite plus for busy homeowners who want fewer maintenance hassles.

On the other hand, if you have a hinged door, ensure that the hinges stay fixed with periodic tightening.

With any exterior door, you’ll want to monitor the weatherstripping and ensure that you replace it if it shows signs of excess wear (usually every 3-5 years).

And of course, you’ll want to be sure to clean the glass regularly, so that you can really enjoy that spectacular view!

Expert Door Installation Company Serving Morrisville, NC, and Surrounding Areas

You want to work with pros you can trust to answer all your questions about patio doors.

Let us know when you start looking to update your patio doors. Window Works Co. can’t wait to help you find the patio doors you’ll love!

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