If you’re looking to give your home or business premises a subtle yet effective makeover, you can’t go wrong with upgrading your internal doors to glass doors.
Glass doors not only look sleek and elegant thanks to their minimal design, but they also allow light to spread throughout the building. Improving connections between spaces, reducing electricity bills, and creating a bright and spacious atmosphere all at the same time!
Internal glass doors can be used to replace most types of interior doors in a variety of rooms, from entrances and hallways to offices and entertainment areas, from lounges and kitchens to bedrooms and bathrooms – but which glass door type is the best for the space?
Here’s a quick guide to the different types of glass doors you can choose from to help you decide on the right internal doors for your residence or workplace.
Types of Glass for Doors
All glass doors should be made of safety glass, which goes through a tempering process of rapid heating and cooling to strengthen it. This toughened glass is harder to break, and if it does shatter, it will fall into granular pieces instead of shards with sharp edges.
This makes glass doors safe for use in most places as it reduces the risk of accidents and injuries – and is in fact a legal requirement for compliance with building regulations.
For enhanced safety, laminated glass is another option, featuring two panes of glass sealed together with a polymer interlayer. This holds the panes in place even if they break so the door doesn’t fall apart – and each pane can also be toughened to improve shatter resistance.
This is an even better upgrade if you would prefer a glass door with insulation properties, which can reduce heat transfer and noise transmission between rooms.
Additionally, there are different types of glass finish that can affect the aesthetic and function of your doors, which include:
- Clear glass – Total clarity for improved visibility and light transmission between spaces.
- Frosted glass – A clouded satin glass that provides visual privacy without blocking light.
- Tinted glass – Clear glass with a translucent coloured tint, such as bronze or dark grey.
- Textured glass – Clear or frosted glass with a texture, such as a rippled or patterned effect.
Glass doors can also be customised by applying decorative films to the glass or opting for unique hardware, as handles, knobs, locks, hinges, and other fittings can elevate the look.
Types of Interior Doors
Not only are there different types of glass that can be used in doors, but also a wide range of door types that can be made with glass, each offering a unique appearance and benefits.
Here are some of the most popular internal door types found throughout homes and businesses that can be enhanced by choosing toughened glass versions:
1) Panel Doors
The classic panel door is typically made entirely of wood, but replacing the panel sections with panes of glass can dramatically enhance the level of sophistication.
These traditional hinged doors can incorporate glass inserts like decorative windows in any glass finish you like, whether that’s clear, satin, tinted, or patterned.
2) French Doors
French doors are another staple when it comes to elegant door styles – usually a set of double doors featuring panes of glass set within wooden or metal frames.
These can be full-panel glass doors within an outer frame or the more easily recognisable continental look, with multiple smaller panes divided by black or white banding.
3) Sliding Doors
As their name suggests, sliding doors slide open rather than swinging open like a conventional hinged door – moving sideways along a track and sitting flush against a wall.
Slimline glass sliding doors are ideal for smaller layouts where there’s less space for a door to swing open and closed, making them a practical solution for creating wider openings.
4) Pocket Doors
Also known as cavity wall doors, pocket doors are a type of sliding door that opens by sliding the panel into a cavity or pocket within the wall, so it doesn’t take up space outside it.
This is great for tight spaces, as the door moves sideways but is hidden inside the wall when open – however, it does require more construction work to install a cavity door.
5) Barn Doors
Sometimes called ‘lift and slide’ doors, barn doors are the more rustic version of a top-mounted sliding door, featuring a slab door hung from a top rail that it slides along.
These can be single or double doors, as seen in the timber barns they’re inspired by, and will form a strong statement feature in any room – especially when using stylish glass.
6) Bi-fold Doors
A perhaps less common alternative to the many versions of sliding doors is the bi-fold door, also called an accordion door due to the way it opens by folding up like an accordion.
These are often used like traditional paper or wooden screens as room dividers, but the hinged panels can be replaced with framed glass for a modern look and improved light flow.
7) Double Doors
For sizeable doorways, it can be difficult to fill the opening with one large door safely – but double doors will add a new level of grandeur as the entrance to social areas.
They can be hinged or sliding, opening gracefully from the centre, with glass panels maintaining an airy open-plan feeling that complements both classic and contemporary interiors.
Which interior glass doors are best for your home or business?
When choosing the right glass door for a specific space, you need to consider factors such as the size and shape of the doorway, the type of glass and hardware that would suit the interior style, and the opening method that suits the layout and function.
For example, a sliding door may be better in a compact home, while double doors are more suitable when entering larger areas, such as an open-plan commercial space.
Similarly, clear glass is perfectly fine for dividing living rooms and dining areas, but a greater level of privacy will be needed for office meeting rooms or bedrooms and bathrooms, making frosted glass with acoustic properties a better choice.
You’ll also need to consider whether the installation method is simple enough to DIY or if you’ll need to hire a professional to design and fit your custom door.
When it comes to tailoring glass doors to meet the needs of your space precisely, it can be beneficial to design your door from scratch – creating a bespoke solution by ordering the parts and building your own, including cut-to-size toughened glass from a specialist supplier.
With careful planning and proper maintenance, your interior glass doors will transform your home or business, providing style and convenience for years to come.