Closing in your terrace or patio area with glass panels could provide you with extra space to enjoy the peace and quiet, views and natural light all-year-round
Many people are reluctant to install glazing on their balconies and terraces as they think it will be an aluminium eyesore, will somehow shut off the area from the rest of the house, or precious outdoor space will be lost. Modern glazing solutions kick these worries into touch with their high-quality, highly resistant glass enclosure systems that require minimal supporting structures allowing the aluminium casement to go completely unnoticed, even when the doors are closed.
One such glazing system is the so-called glass curtain. It consists of a set of glass panels that slide along rails or horizontal ridges covering the whole of your terrace, no matter the size, allowing you to enjoy uninterrupted views with no loss of light and no unsightly frames. The stylish design also means that the glazing system blends in with the architecture of the house and doesn’t stand out like a sore afterthought.
Other advantages of these glass curtains are that they provide thermal and acoustic insulation, are easy to use, lightweight and glide open and closed silently. The panels also take up very little space when folded open. They can also be fitted with built-in security mechanisms such as key locking, making them ideal for homes, businesses, greenhouses and communal properties.
Glass curtains can be folding, which open fully, as mentioned above, or sliding, which is ideal when space is limited. Neither style has vertical panelling or anything to obstruct the view and both provide security and watertight protection from the wind and rain.
Another perfectly feasible option is to have a glass roof installed. You could opt for a retractable roof, providing an instant terrace option, or a fixed roof, which could be opened between 50% to 80%. Automated domotic systems are also available, as well as the choice of self-tinting or opaque glass. Having an interior awning is also a possibility.
To optimise both glass curtains and glass roofs, apply adhesive solar protection film to the glazing as it doesn’t require building work or any major upheaval. It reduces interior heat by up to 90%, saving a lot of energy and money on air-conditioning while providing a clear, undistorted view of the outside world.
