5 Ways People Are Going Bolder With Glass
Higher-performing panes and a desire for light-flooded contemporary spaces are bringing glass to more areas of the home
Residential glass, pros say, has undergone something of a transformation in recent years. While the norm was once limited to just traditional windows, homeowners and home design pros today are opting for a wider approach, incorporating the latest versions in window walls, room partitions and more. We talked to glass pros about how the most popular glass styles and applications are being used. Here are five ways they say people are using glass now and how you can get in on the latest design choices at home.
In wellness-centric areas of the home like the kitchen, this connection to nature and light is especially in demand. Pros say they’ve seen more folding window walls, glass doors and larger windows joining indoor and outdoor spaces.
“I would attribute it to people looking for a simpler lifestyle,” says marketing manager Cathy Leonard of Windsor Windows & Doors in Iowa. “A clean, uncluttered, less messy lifestyle.”
Is a Kitchen Designed for Wellness the Key to a Healthier You?
“I would attribute it to people looking for a simpler lifestyle,” says marketing manager Cathy Leonard of Windsor Windows & Doors in Iowa. “A clean, uncluttered, less messy lifestyle.”
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2. Embracing Contemporary Style
Wider windowpanes, larger window openings and an uptick in interior glass features align with the rising popularity of contemporary architectural styles, the pros say. Homeowners and designers seem to be gravitating toward cleaner lines and a more open feel. Grant Crookston of Glass Crafters of Utah says he’s seeing floor-to-ceiling windows and uninterrupted sightlines more often.
Wider windowpanes, larger window openings and an uptick in interior glass features align with the rising popularity of contemporary architectural styles, the pros say. Homeowners and designers seem to be gravitating toward cleaner lines and a more open feel. Grant Crookston of Glass Crafters of Utah says he’s seeing floor-to-ceiling windows and uninterrupted sightlines more often.
“They’re demanding more width and more height and really pushing the extremes that way,” Leonard says. “We’ve seen a huge trend for contemporary architecture, and I think those larger sizes just go along with that style of design, but also the increased natural light is something that people are looking for and expanding their natural view.”
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3. Eliminating the Frames
More minimal frames or windows without grids allow for that wide-open feeling to be even more immersive. Fixed windows (ones that don’t open) can accommodate larger panes of glass.
More minimal frames or windows without grids allow for that wide-open feeling to be even more immersive. Fixed windows (ones that don’t open) can accommodate larger panes of glass.
Industrial-style black window frames are big sellers, and pros like White and Leonard only see that trend growing. Other dark colors of sashes and frames, such as dark gray, have grown in popularity recently too, they say. Matte frame finishes also have seen a spike.
“The hardware along with the contemporary architectural style has become more sleek and streamlined as well,” Leonard says.
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“The hardware along with the contemporary architectural style has become more sleek and streamlined as well,” Leonard says.
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4. Getting Creative With Interior Glass
Statement-making glass features are showing up beyond the exterior windows in the form of room dividers, doors and railings too. An industrial-style dividing wall like this one, for example, allows the bedroom to have its own designated space without lessening its overall openness. Frameless showers, which Crookston says now make up a large chunk of his installation business, achieve a similarly enclosed but airy effect.
Statement-making glass features are showing up beyond the exterior windows in the form of room dividers, doors and railings too. An industrial-style dividing wall like this one, for example, allows the bedroom to have its own designated space without lessening its overall openness. Frameless showers, which Crookston says now make up a large chunk of his installation business, achieve a similarly enclosed but airy effect.
5. Opting for Greener, More Efficient Options
Another reason glass may be seeing such a surge is technological advancements in glass performance and efficiency. Improved insulation and weatherproofing in recent years have allowed homeowners and designers in cooler climates to incorporate more glass as well.
“Savvier homeowners are also very aware that they can get more energy-efficient glass to meet the needs of the climate they live in, improving comfort and reducing energy costs,” White says.
Another reason glass may be seeing such a surge is technological advancements in glass performance and efficiency. Improved insulation and weatherproofing in recent years have allowed homeowners and designers in cooler climates to incorporate more glass as well.
“Savvier homeowners are also very aware that they can get more energy-efficient glass to meet the needs of the climate they live in, improving comfort and reducing energy costs,” White says.
Existing glass can be upgraded or expanded with glazing, and treatments like gas filling allow for better thermal performance, according to Bill Tindell, Windsor’s director of product development. Other relatively new developments, such as electrochromic glazing, can even help control light and heat levels by creating an opaque shading effect on the glass.
“When we talk about contemporary architecture, people don’t want all these window treatments on their windows, so [they want] something that would address that requirement,” Tindell says.
Tell us: Have you upgraded the glass in your home? Share your projects in the Comments.
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“When we talk about contemporary architecture, people don’t want all these window treatments on their windows, so [they want] something that would address that requirement,” Tindell says.
Tell us: Have you upgraded the glass in your home? Share your projects in the Comments.
More on Houzz
How to Install Energy-Efficient Windows
Houzz TV: See What It’s Like to Live in a Glass House
See more glass wall inspiration photos
Find a pro for your home project
Shop for home products
Of all the factors driving homeowners and design pros to go all-in on glass, a desire for more natural light and an airier overall atmosphere seems to be among the most important. Pros report more designs and requests that call for as many windows as possible to keep homes as bright as possible.
“Improved daylighting enhances the occupants’ mood, lets in more natural light and has many other benefits to the residents,” says Andrea White, director of architectural sales at Sierra Pacific Windows in California. “The type of homes we often work with have gorgeous views and indoor and outdoor living areas, so more glass allows the owners to take advantage of their beautiful landscape and environment.”