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How to Choose custom glass house?

14 Apr.,2024

Modern residential architectural design is characterized by a number of features. One such feature is the intentional, and often expansive, use of glass as a construction material.

Leveraging glass in this way serves a number of purposes. Strategically placing windows throughout a home serves to open a space and make it feel larger, which is especially helpful in small or narrow lots, while also allowing the homeowner to maximize the amount of natural light that the home receives.

At the same time, while a window is a barrier, it can be argued that it is less of a barrier than a solid wall might be. The result is that homes with extensive transparency can feel much more connected to the site that it is situated on, especially if these apertures open. A well-placed window can also serve to frame a view, such as a beautiful tree, landscape, etc.

One thing you may notice when you look at many modern homes is the fact that they often incorporate glass differently than homes built with other aesthetics in mind. In fact, modern houses often make use of floor-to-ceiling glass—not just standard “windows”—which amplifies all of the benefits discussed above even further.

To help inspire your own design aspirations, below we take a look at three custom homes that include floor-to-ceiling glass.

Stunning Modern Homes with Floor-to-Ceiling Glass

1. Waverley

The Waverley residence was designed and built with the specific intention of creating a space that felt connected to the outdoors, which was achieved by leveraging large expanses of glass throughout the home.

One of the most stunning features of the Waverley residence is a seamless 30 foot tall by 10 foot wide pane of glass that connects the 3 story stairwell to the outdoors. This glass was procured from the same manufacturers that make Apple store curtainwalls given its sheer size and elegant look without interruption.

On the ground floor, floor-to-ceiling windows and glass openings act to connect the interior space of the home with the yard. On the second floor, oversized windows overlook the landscape which gives the impression of living among the trees when inside of that volume (which happens to be an office). The result is a home that is very connected to its site, in which the site’s greatest assets are its trees.

2. Ridge Mountain

Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors play an important role in the Ridge Mountain residence, as a gateway between the home’s great room and its outdoor space. When they are closed, the inhabitant is able to enjoy the views from inside the home. When open, the patio essentially becomes an extension of their interior space.

At the same time, large glass windows are placed throughout the home in order to frame views for the inhabitants while also introducing unexpected richness and texture. For example, in the photos below you can see how windows allow the home to capture sunlight, which interacts with the stairwell in order to create interesting and beautiful visual effects.

3. 19th Street

The 19th Street residence likewise uses floor-to-ceiling glass in order to allow the inhabitants to extend their living space at will to include the backyard.

The living room, kitchen, and dining area of the home are situated in an L-shaped floor plan, with the kitchen acting as a pivot point for the entire space. In both the living area and dining area, however, floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors can be opened to essentially dissolve away this barrier.

Throughout the home, floor-to-ceiling glass is also incorporated in order to invite the outside world in at will, such as in the photo above.

Key Considerations

While leveraging floor-to-ceiling glass can be an excellent way of opening your home and connecting with the space around you, it should be carefully considered. In particular, privacy and energy use/solar gain can sometimes be a concern.

If your home is located in a densely packed area, for example, you will need to be careful about where you situate windows in order to protect your privacy. Likewise, if your home receives a lot of direct sunlight (as is common, for example, in the afternoon on the West Coast) extensive glass can cause the home to receive and retain quite a bit of heat.

These challenges are not necessarily a deterrent, however. A skilled architect will be able to account for such challenges and address them in the design process. Landscaping can, for example, create privacy even in a dense urban environment; and the smart use of overhangs can limit how much direct sunlight your space receives.

When purchasing a greenhouse, a gardener is faced with a few options in regard to the type of material the transparent panels are made from. Although all greenhouses are designed to allow sunlight to reach the plants, there can be a difference in the way a garden performs due to the materials that make up the greenhouse. Hobbyists looking to set up a greenhouse have essentially three choices when it comes to the greenhouse’s glazing options: single pane glass, double pane glass, or multi-wall polycarbonate. Each glazing option has its own advantages and disadvantages which means growers should examine each before making a final decision.

Single Pane Glass
The older-style single pane glass greenhouses with overlapping glass are less than desirable due to the fact that many of them are not adequately sealed. This can cause a series of problems including inefficiencies with heating and cooling and humidity/moisture problems. The good news is that most of the newer-style single pane glass greenhouses have full length glass panels and are sealed which solves many of the problems associated with the outdated, leaky designs. One great thing about single pane greenhouses is that they look fantastic. Single pane glass greenhouses are very aesthetically pleasing and will only cost a little more than a polycarbonate greenhouse. However, single pane greenhouses should probably be avoided by gardeners in northern climates. Single pane glass greenhouses are the least energy efficient type of greenhouse. In fact, a single pane greenhouse will have double or even triple the heating costs when compared to a double pane or multi-walled polycarbonate greenhouse. Single pane glass greenhouses allow for 92% light transmission. This can be an advantage or a disadvantage depending on your climate and the location of the greenhouse. Greenhouses should let in as much sun as possible, right? In some cases, a glass greenhouse can allow too much light to reach the plants which may create “hot-spots” and cause significant damage to the plants. The gardener may need to install a shade cloth in the greenhouse to rectify this problem. All in all, single pane glass greenhouses are a good choice for gardeners who will not be heating the greenhouse or who strongly desire an aesthetically pleasing greenhouse.

Double Pane Glass
Double pane glass greenhouses are the bee’s knees when it comes to greenhouses. Double pane glass greenhouses are designed to be the most energy efficient and offer gardeners half the heating costs associated with single pane glass greenhouses. In other words, gardeners can look at a double pane glass greenhouse as a long term investment that will pay for itself in the form of energy savings. Double pane glass can also include a special low-e reflective coating on the inner pane of glass which reflects heat and acts as an insulator. For a serious hobbyist searching for the nicest looking and most energy efficient greenhouse, a double pane glass greenhouse is for you. The only real disadvantage of a double pane glass greenhouse is the initial cost. Double pane glass greenhouses are by far the most expensive option but, again, when examining the long term energy savings, the increased initial cost of the greenhouse would be paid back over time.

Multi-wall Polycarbonate
Another glazing option for a hobbyist looking to set up a greenhouse is polycarbonate. Multi-wall polycarbonate greenhouse material comes in a variety of thicknesses (8mm triple-wall and 16mm 5-wall). The construction of the material varies slightly but all include multiple walls inside of the material which form channels that hold air. This airspace is important because it creates insulation value. A polycarbonate greenhouse offers similar energy efficiency to a double pane glass greenhouse. One advantage of polycarbonate material is that it naturally diffuses the sunlight. By diffusing the sunlight, polycarbonate greenhouses reduce the likelihood of “hotspots” and give the plants in the greenhouse an even distribution of light energy. Polycarbonate panels that are slightly tinted can also be installed in the roof of the greenhouse to reduce or eliminate the need for shade cloth. This is a great option for gardeners in hot, sunny locations. Although polycarbonate is not as aesthetically pleasing as glass, these greenhouses offer the best upfront value. Polycarbonate can also be used to retrofit older greenhouses to increase efficiency.

New polycarbonate materials
have 2-4 air pockets for maximum energy efficiency.

Please remember when making a decision regarding your greenhouse glazing options that efficiency and greenhouse performance are dependent on many factors including your geographical location and the orientation of the greenhouse. Where you live and what you grow will make a big difference in your selection of a greenhouse and greenhouse glazing. Take the time to explore all of your options to find the greenhouse design that will best serve your purposes.

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Guest Posts

How to Choose custom glass house?

Stunning Modern Homes with Floor-to-Ceiling Glass

1. Waverley

2. Ridge Mountain

3. 19th Street

Key Considerations

How to Choose custom glass house?

Tip #2: Greenhouse Glazing Options – Glass or Polycarbonate