There’s no denying that glass walls are one of the hottest trends in residential construction. Whether multiple windows grouped together or glass walls that slide, pivot, or accordion open, the effect brings endless views while satisfying an ongoing desire for a deeper, blurred connection with the outdoors.
“The last two years we’ve seen a swing into contemporary design,” says Josh Hall, sales representative for JELD-WEN. “We’re seeing cleaner lines and larger viewing areas.”
The additional glass also brings in more natural light, improving occupant health while boosting energy efficiency.
While, surging in popularity today, the desire has always been there. Jason and Signe Smith, who co-own smitharc architects in Dallas, have been fielding requests for big glass walls for the entirety of their 23-year careers. The difference today? Availability. Previously, larger units had to be imported and thus were cost-prohibitive for all but the most luxurious of homes. “The industry has caught up to the demand and is now in harmony with what the consumer wants,” notes Jason Smith, AIA. “Even in the last five years, the size of glass you’re able to get tempered has grown, and the coatings and insulation have improved to the extent that we’re able to do these and stay within budget.”
The trend—and the ability to meet it—are on full display at the Blue Dog house, a two-story home in the rolling hills outside Durham, N.C.
The home, set on nine acres, boasts vast expanses of glass that satisfy both visual and lifestyle goals. On the second floor, 8- to 10-foot tall JELD-WEN Siteline windows, including multiple vertically mulled units, wrap the master bedroom, kitchen, and great room. The effect lends a contemporary feel to the country setting while providing ample views of the property’s woods and pond.
On the ground level, which emerges from a slope, wide sliders not only bring in light and views, but are critical to outdoor-centric living. A 16-foot wide unit connects the rec room to a patio where the parents can watch the kids in the pond; the cantilevered master bedroom above provides partial protection from the elements. Two slightly smaller sliders lead to an equipment room and a bathroom, further accommodating the family’s activities.
Though the home is decidedly modern, the architects employed faceting along the façade to keep it from being too streamlined and put careful consideration into other exterior materials. “The risk of using lots of glass is that it loses its residential character,” Jason Smith notes. “So the liberal use of wood and the faceting are idiosyncratic moves that keep it squarely in the residential mood.”
