Steel and glass doors

We are planning to renovate our ground floor and want to let in a lot more light from the garden into the living space, we are thinking of getting custom made doors for the back, looking at potentially 12-14ft of steel/glass doors. So here are a few of questions:
1- we are concerned about how this would impact us in the winter having such a huge span of glass
2-I have seen a number of examples of similar doors in Brooklyn, what happens with the mosquitoes?
3-can anyone recommend a local/or not local company that makes these custom steel doors?
4- has anyone worked on a similar project and would like to share their experience?

ddjjee

in General Discussion 8 years and 9 months ago

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randolph | 7 years and 1 month ago

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do not put in one of those Nanawall things or similar product because as you say there is no way to keep it open without letting all the bugs in. we had one in a place we rented and could never leave it open.

in our house we installed a sliding back door with a screen door. it is not as “fancy” but it keeps the bugs out and takes up less room vs. an accordion door or french doors.

jennyburginia | 7 years and 1 month ago

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Hi , ddjjee I’m curious to know if you went with steel ? I’m in the same boat as you planning on opening the back of my brownstone and love the steel look just not sure if it’s practical. My concerns are same as yours with regards to insulation , and how bad it can get in the winter. Any info will be helpful. Thanks , Sal

NeoGrec | 8 years and 9 months ago

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In regard to the energy efficiency issue, I’ve heard architects and contractors alike say, “the worst wall is better that the best window.”

agdipierro

in General Discussion 8 years and 9 months ago

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I have done this several times. Please contact me directly at ek@edkopel.com

obama | 8 years and 9 months ago

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if you plan appropriately you’re fine and i think it’s totally worth it. put a heating elementi in front of the door, in the floor if possible. that should counteract heat loss. check out LaCantina doors in California. i bought from them. i found tri-state suppliers to be super overpriced and not the greatest quality.

lmilder | 8 years and 9 months ago

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I would use special coated aluminum to prevent corrosion… or stainless steel if you can get the color right. I’ve found anything else will rust no matter what the manufacturer promises. Double pane glass needed for insulation and noise. And wider exit could impact HVAC outflow piping (requiring greater distance to venting or venting on the roof)

ddjjee | 8 years and 9 months ago

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Thanks so much for the info, I should have been more specific of the kind of windows/doors we want to install, these wont be industrial but something that we hope to have double glazed, similar to images attached, which I think might be double glazed, Jonah I will email you, if you have pictures of what you ordered we would like to see that screen! thank you again for the response!

[Screen Shot 2016-08-31 at 2](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s1/:brownstoner:ILGO:screenshot20160831at2.03.49pm.png.jpg) [Screen Shot 2016-08-31 at 2](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s1/:brownstoner:PDdA:screenshot20160831at2.03.02pm.png.jpg)

lynnepoling | 8 years and 9 months ago

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Hi,

There are several options to create the light, and it really comes down to budget.

Old steel window Windows were made of hot rolled steel.
bad on air leakage, brought the cold through the Metal, able to rust.

Today any real steel window company manufactors thermally broken steel units out of stainless steel, and can get decent enegery ratings.
Steel units from a design point of view offer the slimest and cleanest look.
Down side is the cost of steel which can be sevreal times the cost of an all alluminum system.

I have recently ordered a all aluminum by-folding door for a cleint in park slope to open about 15′ x 10′ clear.
The plan is to install an after market screen that can roll or slide away when not in use.
Profiols will be a bit thicker then steel, but will save a ton.

I can be reached at Jonah@WHQinc.com for more info.

pythagoras | 8 years and 9 months ago

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If you are referring to the kind of steel industrial doors and windows (like Hope), such doors and windows do not comply with the energy code. I’ve always loved the look of them, but sadly they are horribly inefficient. In addition, your concern about winter is spot on. For one, there will be a significant mean radiant temperature asymmetry – in English this means the window is super cold while the other surfaces will be warm. This can create drafts, as warm air rises, and cold air falls at the windows. This will also result in major condensation which can cause rot and rust, warping wood floors, creating mold. They are problematic. These windows don’t seal well either. In general, you are heating the outside. What about a large sliding door? That is a big unit, but you could potentially get a really good, triple glazed slider. The only obstacle to size is shipping!