In the architectural and home improvement world, the cold weather season brings unique challenges to maintaining comfort, energy efficiency, and stunning views. Homeowners often seek solutions that not only keep the elements at bay but also allow them to enjoy a seamless connection to the outdoors without compromising warmth. NanaWall opening glass doors are engineered to withstand the harshest winter conditions, offering advanced thermal performance, weather resistance, energy efficiency, and even condensation build-up. These design-forward systems ensure that even during the chilliest months, winter-ready homes stay cozy and functional while preserving that highly coveted indoor-outdoor feel.
Bracing for the Cold Weather Season with Opening Glass Doors
Key Challenges to Consider for Winter-Ready Homes
As winter approaches, homeowners face challenges that can impact comfort, energy costs, and overall enjoyment of their space. One major concern is thermal efficiency as poor insulation can let in drafts and allow warm air to escape and significantly increase heating costs. Weather resistance is another issue to consider. Traditional and outdated windows and doors often struggle with water or ice infiltration during heavy snow or rain. Another common concern is condensation build-up on glass, which can obscure views and potentially damage frames or interior finishes over time. NanaWall opening glass doors address these concerns with advanced energy efficiency and performance against inclement weather for winter-ready homes.
This wood framed system was installed at an impressive 10,600-foot elevation!
Selecting the Ideal Glazing Options for Operable Glass Doors
NanaWall systems are offered with double and triple glazing options depending on your thermal performance needs. Glazing refers to the layers of glass that make up the frame’s infill. The spaces between each panel of glass can be filled with air or argon gas to improve thermal performance and insulation. Low E coatings further enhance energy savings by reflecting heat back into the room while allowing natural light to pass through, creating a warm and bright interior. By selecting the ideal glazing option, homeowners can effectively manage indoor temperatures, cut down on heating costs, and enjoy uninterrupted views regardless of weather.
To learn more about energy efficiency in winter-ready homes read our Homeowner’s Guide to Energy Efficiency in Retractable Glass Walls!
Achieving Advanced Performance Against the Elements
NanaWall systems are designed with advanced weather seals to protect interiors from the elements and inclement temperatures. In addition, systems can be paired with weather-performing, water-rated sills without compromising ease of operation or barely-there thresholds. NanaWall opening glass doors have been independently tested for air, water, structural, and forced entry at accredited labs with excellent results. This translates into protected interiors that are free from intrusive wind and water during harsh weather conditions. In snow heavy environments, these systems offer low maintenance and durability to maintain comfortable and protected interiors even with snow piled against the glass.
Addressing Condensation in Cold Weather Environments
Condensation is a common and normal occurrence in most glass surfaces. When indoor humid air, often during cold weather, comes in contact with glass, it creates a foggy veil of condensation that turns into water droplets. This constant water buildup around the frame can lead to rot and compromise the structural longevity of wooden windows and nearby furniture. Fenestration specified with Low E coatings like NanaWall operable glass doors helps maintain consistently warm interiors during cold and rainy weather, which is a proven way to minimize condensation buildup on glass. A year-round solution that works similarly in the summer to keep interiors cool and fresh.
To learn about condensation read our comprehensive blog Opening Glass Walls: What is Condensation and How to Avoid It!
Design Inspiration from Real-Life Applications
Lakeside Cabin for Year-Round Family Entertainment
There’s something uniquely charming about winter cabins nestled within the woodland. Bordering a beautiful lake in Wisconsin, this four-season retreat offers a family of outdoor enthusiasts the ideal space to come together and enjoy the beauty of lakeside living year-round. The rustic-styled home offers contemporary comforts and opens the primary living areas to the lake with a five-panel, double-glazed folding glass door. According to the homeowners, the NanaWall system ensures energy efficiency while still having as much exposure to the outside as possible. During warmer months, the family enjoys entertaining with a folding glass patio door that “endures high traffic situations while evoking simple, elegant style.”
Contemporary Home Offers Stunning Woodland Views
Offering a magnificent display of changing seasons, Methow Valley was the perfect location to build a permanent home for a pair of homeowners seeking to elevate their indoor-outdoor lifestyle. The resulting contemporary home features a stunning modern design inspired by its natural surroundings and energy-efficient opening glass doors to continuously enjoy the outdoors regardless of weather. Centered between the courtyard and veranda, the open concept living areas seamlessly spill to the outdoors via a set of NanaWall aluminum clad systems, featuring low-maintenance aluminum cladding on the outside and the elegant beauty of premium wood on the inside.
Whimsical Greenhouse Cottage for Stargazing
Nestled within the woodland, and adjacent to one of Ontario’s many lakes, this striking contemporary cottage offers the ideal four-season retreat to immerse and reconnect with nature. The energy-conscious cottage features a tiny house with an all-glass greenhouse extension that offers optimal views of the landscape. Creating an expansive 13-foot-wide opening, a NanaWall weather-performing system merges the main living quarters and greenhouse into one expanded indoor-outdoor living space. In the winter, when the triple-glazed doors are kept closed and the greenhouse transforms into a mudroom, a swing door offers quick transitions while keeping interiors warm and comfortable.
He Shed She Shed, A His and Hers ADU
A couple in Needham, Massachusetts transformed their once empty lawn into a light-filled multifunctional ADU with functional aluminum clad folding glass doors. On one side, a spacious garage and workspace stores the husband’s vintage car collection while the other offers an art studio for the wife. The art studio opens to a spacious deck perfect for lounging or entertaining and is easily accessible via two energy-efficient systems in an imaginative open corner configuration. This clad system incorporates rear ventilation and clip-on technology between the aluminum and quadruple laminated wood to allow the two materials to expand and contract without restraint. During snowy winters, the systems maintain interiors comfortable, achieving a functional, year-round space.
Final Thoughts
Choosing NanaWall opening glass doors for a winter-ready home delivers functionality, energy savings, and contemporary aesthetics, making them the ideal solution for year-round indoor-outdoor living. With an array of weather-performing components and customizable glazing options, these systems offer the ideal design solution for residential spaces seeking year-round comfort and function. NanaWall systems provide superior thermal insulation, weather resistance, and ease of operation, allowing homeowners to stay connected to the outdoors without compromising warmth or efficiency. Whether braving winter’s chill or enjoying summer’s warmth, NanaWall opening glass doors enhance comfort, durability, and beauty in every season.
Discover how NanaWall opening glass doors perform in cold weather environments in our extensive project inspiration gallery!