In today’s modern home design, creating a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces is more important than ever. But many homeowners struggle with achieving this balance. Traditional doors can sometimes feel like barriers, separating the home from the outdoor world rather than inviting it in. How do you maximize natural light, open up your living spaces, and enhance the flow between the interior and exterior? The answer lies in large format exterior doors—architectural elements that do more than just serve a functional purpose; they transform the way you experience your home. But with so many options, how do you choose the right type for your new home?
At AV Architects + Builders, we prioritize indoor-outdoor connection with our Vacation Style Living™ design philosophy. We’ve worked with renowned brands like Weathershield and NanaWall who create door systems that not only maximize natural light and enhance views but also offer durability and energy efficiency. With over 23 years of experience designing and building custom homes, we understand how to incorporate these stunning doors into your vision to create an inviting and stylish home that blends seamlessly with the outdoors.
In this article, we’ll explore the various types of large format exterior doors, with a focus on two standout brands: Weathershield and NanaWall. You’ll discover how options like bi-fold, multi-slide, and folding glass doors can transform your space, offering everything from expansive views to superior energy efficiency. Whether you’re building a new home or renovating your current one, we’ll guide you through the benefits of these doors and help you choose the perfect option to enhance the flow and beauty of your home.
Maximizing Indoor-Outdoor Connection: The Best Large Format Exterior Doors for Custom Homes
Weathershield Contemporary Collection: Exterior Doors for Every Style
Weathershield offers a range of high-performance doors designed to suit modern aesthetics and practical needs. Their Contemporary Collection includes several options, each designed to maximize the connection between your home and its surroundings. Below are five standout types of large format doors from Weathershield’s collection:
1. Bi-Fold Doors
Bi-fold doors offer an elegant and stylish solution for opening your home to the outdoors, creating a dramatic folding glass wall that maximizes your view and extends your living area seamlessly into the exterior. With narrow 3 ¼” stiles, these doors provide a modern, minimalist look, showcasing more exposed glass and enhancing the natural light in your home.
Available in configurations from 2 to 8 panels, bi-fold doors can accommodate openings over 24 feet wide and up to 10 feet tall, allowing for expansive, flexible spaces. Built with durable, low-maintenance extruded aluminum exteriors, they resist dents, scratches, and harsh weather. The hinged panels fold accordion-style along a fixed track, offering smooth operation and easy adjustment. With energy-efficient Zo-e-shield® glazing and ENERGY STAR® rated windows, these doors also provide excellent thermal performance, making them a functional and beautiful choice for those looking to integrate large, open spaces into their home.
The Solar House, Arlington, Virginia, AV Architects + Builders, Photography by Maxwell Mackenzie
2. Hinged Patio Doors
Hinged patio doors are an excellent option for those seeking a minimalist design that complements modern architecture. These doors are crafted to enhance your home’s view while providing a sleek, clean look. With narrow 3 ¼" stile and rail, the doors feature a contemporary aesthetic that is complemented by square interior profiles, making them a perfect fit for any modern or contemporary home.
Available in single or double-door configurations, these hinged patio doors can reach up to 10 feet in height. Built with low-maintenance, extruded aluminum exteriors, they are durable and resistant to weathering. The doors can swing either inward or outward, offering flexibility in design. Additionally, Zo-e-shield® glazing and ENERGY STAR® rated windows enhance energy efficiency, providing better thermal performance. Hinged patio doors combine elegance and practicality, making them a timeless choice for modern homes.
3. Multi-Slide Doors
Multi-slide doors are an excellent choice for homeowners looking to bring in natural light and fresh air while maintaining an unobstructed view of the outdoors. With the ability to span large openings, these doors are perfect for creating a seamless connection between your home and outdoor spaces. The slim-line frames maximize natural light, enhancing the warmth and inviting atmosphere of your living area.
Available in groupings of 2 to 10 panels, multi-slide doors can slide open or even be tucked away in a wall pocket for a clean, integrated look. Designed with durability in mind, they are made from rot-resistant materials that withstand harsh elements. The doors feature a four-roller system for smooth operation, even with heavier panels, and the rollers can be easily adjusted for improved ease of use. With energy-efficient Zo-e-shield® glazing and ENERGY STAR® rated windows, these doors offer both exceptional performance and energy savings, making them a smart and stylish choice for modern homes.
4. Next Gen Sliding Patio Doors
Next Gen sliding patio doors offer a streamlined, slimline design with exceptional performance, making them an ideal choice for those seeking a modern, sleek aesthetic. With narrow panel profiles, these doors maximize glass exposure, providing unobstructed views and enhancing the natural light in your home. Available in 2-panel, 2-panel with direct set, and 4-panel configurations, they come in sizes up to 5 feet wide and 10 feet high, offering flexibility to suit various spaces.
Built for durability, these doors feature extruded aluminum exteriors that resist dents and scratches, ensuring long-lasting performance with minimal maintenance. The sliding mechanism operates smoothly even with larger panels, providing easy use. Additionally, the low-profile sill enhances energy efficiency by allowing for a smooth floor transition, further improving the performance of your home. The Next Gen sliding patio doors combine modern style with functionality, offering a practical and energy-efficient solution for contemporary living.
5. Sliding Patio Doors
Weathershield’s sliding patio doors offer a modern and sleek solution for expanding your living space and seamlessly connecting the indoors with the outdoors. Their slim-line design with more exposed glass enhances the natural light in your home, creating an airy and open atmosphere. Available in 2-, 3-, or 4-panel configurations, these doors can be customized with matching sidelites and transoms, allowing for versatile design options.
Designed for low maintenance, these doors feature durable, clad exteriors that never require painting and resist rot or decay over time. They operate smoothly on a fixed track, enabling easy adjustments to the width of the opening. With energy-efficient glazing options that meet ENERGY STAR® requirements, Weathershield’s sliding patio doors provide superior thermal performance while adding a sleek and functional element to your home’s design.
NanaWall: Leading the Way in Large Format Exterior Doors
While many window and door companies are just starting to explore the world of large format doors, NanaWall has been a leader in this area for years. Specializing in high-quality glass wall systems, NanaWall offers a range of doors that can transform your home’s design, offering expansive views and superior performance. Here are three standout options from NanaWall's Glass Walls Collection:
1. Folding Glass Doors
NanaWall’s folding glass doors are designed to create wide, unobstructed openings that effortlessly connect your indoor and outdoor spaces. These doors are highly energy-efficient, keeping outdoor elements out while maintaining a comfortable indoor environment. They open and close with a single hand, providing ease of operation without compromising on durability. Built to withstand extreme weather conditions, these doors are suitable for various climates, offering flexibility and performance.
Perfect for modern homes or anyone looking to bring the outdoors inside, NanaWall’s folding glass doors offer a dramatic and functional solution to enhance your living space. With their combination of energy efficiency, convenience, and weather resistance, these doors provide a seamless integration between interior and exterior environments.
Backyard Retreat, McLean, Virginia, AV Architects + Builders
2. Sliding Glass Doors
NanaWall's sliding glass doors feature ultra-thin lines and narrow panel rails, creating a refined, minimalist design perfect for contemporary homes. These doors maximize natural light and provide expansive views, seamlessly bringing the outdoors inside while maintaining a sleek, architectural look.
Designed for smooth operation, the innovative roller system ensures effortless sliding, while the multipoint locking system provides added security. Combining architectural minimalism with high-end functionality, NanaWall's sliding glass doors offer both beauty and performance for modern living spaces.
3. Stacking Glass Doors
NanaWall's stacking glass doors offer unmatched flexibility and design freedom, allowing you to create virtually any shape or size of opening to suit your space. The panels can be customized to stack in various configurations, providing unobstructed views and adaptable layouts. These doors are perfect for large spaces that require flexibility, accommodating expansive openings to seamlessly connect your interior with the outdoors.
Built to withstand any climate, NanaWall's stacking glass doors offer excellent insulation and weatherproof performance, ensuring your home remains comfortable and protected. A versatile solution that combines both beauty and practicality, these doors are ideal for homeowners seeking a high-functioning, stylish addition to their living spaces.
Enhance Your Custom Home’s Flow with Large Format Exterior Doors
Choosing the right exterior doors for your custom home is an important decision that impacts both the design and functionality of your living space. Whether you prefer the flexibility of bi-fold doors, the clean lines of sliding patio doors, or the minimalist elegance of NanaWall’s folding glass systems, each option offers unique benefits that enhance the connection between your home and the outdoors.
Brands like Weathershield and NanaWall provide a variety of large format exterior doors designed to meet the needs of modern homes, combining style, energy efficiency, and durability. By selecting the right exterior doors for your space, you can create a seamless transition between your indoor and outdoor living areas, enhancing both the aesthetic and functionality of your home.
If you're ready to discuss the vision for your custom home, Schedule a Discovery Call with AV Architects + Builders today.
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