Glass doors and windows open the home to the outdoors, fostering a connection with the surrounds, capturing views and helping to maintain an ambient interior temperature – particularly when double glazing or triple glazing is specified.

How to choose glass doors and windows

The best way to start is to consider the overall architectural intentions of the house – is it modern or traditional? Is it coastal or urban? What is the outdoor setting; are there expansive gardens or grounds, or a busy road? How will they be used and how often? For doors, what space is available for different styles of door in the room?

By considering these questions, the best style of windows and doors for the home becomes clearer. Speaking to your architect or designer early on is a good idea as they may be able to narrow down the best options even further based on the best materials for the site and project, and the most effective styles for the budget.

Double glazed vs. triple glazed glass: what’s the best option?

Double glazed glass is made up of two panes of glass with argon gas between; triple glazing is the same except it is made up of three panels of glass. The air or gas between the panes of glass acts in a similar way to insulation panels in a wall, stopping heat from escaping and increasing the internal temperature. When the inside of a pane of glass in double or triple glazed windows is coated with a ‘Low E’ coating, double glazed windows become more effective as that coating is designed to reflect heat back into the room.

Double glazed windows and doors are now the standard choices for most buildings in New Zealand (surpassing what used to be the norm – single glazed windows), but when is it best to choose triple glazed instead? Triple glazed windows perform much better than double glazed windows simply because of the additional pane of glass, increasing thermal efficiency and the glass’ effectiveness as a sound barrier.

In general, triple glazing is the best choice in climates that are very cold or those that have more extreme temperature variations.

Window privacy films, tinted glass and frosted glass windows

While there’s almost always the need for windows, sometimes the need for privacy can render areas of glazing an inconvenience – particularly if neighbours are close by or the area in question is located in a busy area with high foot traffic. In these situations, some creativity can be needed. The best solution will differ depending on the complexities of each context; however, window films are a great option for privacy – with most allowing for the option to specify how much light will still enter the building. Tinted glass is another option, as well as frosted glass – a popular option for bathroom windows. Graphic glass is another option, albeit one generally preferred for commercial settings and used for logos and branding or advertisements. In some cases, graphic window glass films can be textured to create an additional level of interest.

What is safety glass and when should it be used?

Safety glass is a specially formulated glass that is less likely to shatter or break and cause injury. Safety glass undergoes various treatments to increase its strength. If it does break, it is designed to break into pieces with blunt edges that won’t cause injury. There are two main types of safety glass: toughened and laminated – with laminated safety glass designed to hold together if broken, with pieces sticking to an internal plastic layer.

Safety glass is ideal for windows or doors – particularly those low to the ground such as sliding glass doors – in the home. If it does break, the risk of injury is much lower than with standard glass. Laminated safety glass in particular is also much more difficult to break, which is a sought-after benefit in terms of security.