The Wall Street Journal states that many new homes are “using the wide, retractable doors to divide rooms or create gates to the outdoors.” This trend is growing rapidly, and homeowners and coming up with creative ideas to use these in their homes. Here are a few of the benifits:
Instant Natural Light
Using a garage door for something other than keeping the cars safe is all about the glass. You can adapt a garage doorframe to utilize glass doors. That turns a closed off “wall” into a floor-to-ceiling window that allows for natural light to pour in. Right out of the gate, you’re going to be saving in energy bills as you keep the light switches off and the heating down. According to This Old House, a glass door with double-pane insulated glass can greatly increase energy efficiency.
The Industrial Modern
Within the home design category of “modern,” there are several sub-genres. The Industrial Modern look incorporates exposed elements such as bricks and piping. It’s also the perfect fit for glass garage doors using a powder-coat finish on an aluminum frame. This is a perfect feature for a loft or warehouse space that is looking for a special way to open onto a balcony or deck. Clopay Door has seen an increase in demand for these industrial doors as they let in a great deal of natural light and make a room feel bigger.
A Frosted Approach
Just because you’re embracing the glass garage door concept as a feature for your home doesn’t mean you have to be totally exposed. A glass garage door can be frosted or tinted to match allow for light but keep things inside private. This works great when the door is used on an open vista side of a home like on a beach.
The Ultimate Open Concept
The open concept design is what every buyer clamors for. Just watch Property Brothers or any other HGTV show and you’ll see a lack interior walls as the open concept plan remains popular. The placement of a garage door promotes the ultimate open concept. Once the door is raised, there is great flow between the outdoors and inside. Designers are also placing these doors deep in the interior of a living space to separate the rooms. Closed off, there is privacy. Open and it’s the perfect entertaining atmosphere.
Roll Up or Slide Open
The most popular use for interior garage doors would be the same type of functionality, as you would find on your garage. The doors can easily roll up and down. However, you’ll find that many of these doors use sleek tracks and systems that become a seamless feature of the home decor. You could also replace a garage door with a glass door that is permanent. In other words, great window but no opening.
Will this trend continue? Only time will tell.