What You Need to Know About Residential Glass Doors

Residential glass doors can be used inside the home if you want to add some style to an entryway of a room that doesn't need much privacy, such as an office or dining room. These doors are also often used for the entryway to a patio or other outside space or to an attached sunroom. When you're thinking of having new residential glass doors installed or replacing the glass doors you have currently, note a few factors about the glass and the doors themselves so you know what to discuss with your contractor.

Toughened or laminated glass

In most areas, building codes dictate that residential glass doors  be made of some type of toughened glass, laminated glass or security glass; these types of reinforced glass won't shatter into dangerous shards when broken. When choosing which type of toughened glass you want for your home's doors, note that chips and cracks in doors can't be fixed very easily. In most cases, an entire pane needs to be completely replaced when it's even slightly damaged. This is why it's good to choose something very thick and extra tough, even beyond what is legally required in your home if you're worried about kids running into the glass, damage from nearby furniture and any other extra risks to your doors.

Frame

The frame of a glass door is very important, as a larger and thicker frame will help disperse the weight of the door. If you're choosing very thick, toughened glass, as mentioned above, opt for a larger wood frame that will make opening and closing the door easier.

A patio door's frame can also cut down on the amount of sunlight that gets through; you may want sunlight in the home, but too much can make your interior space feel hot and stuffy! Opt for a size of frame that allow sufficient light into the home's interior but which helps tone down that sunlight as well.

Pet doors

If you want a pet door installed in your glass door, you might ask your installer if a hole should be cut in the door before it's delivered and hung. Toughened or laminated glass may require special tools to cut it, so not all pet door installers will be able to create an opening in a thick glass door. Your glass door installer may be better capable of cutting a hole in the glass the size you need, and then a pet door installer can install the actual door over that opening.