The Origin Of Sliding Glass Doors

Are you ready for a history lesson? We’ll try to keep this light and upbeat to peak your interests.

What is the definition of a Sliding Glass Door?

Sliding Glass Door

• A sliding glass door or patio door, is a type of sliding door in architecture and construction, is a large glass window opening in a structure that provides door access from a room to the outdoors, fresh air, and copious natural light.

Sliding Doors have been recorded as early as first century CE in Roman houses as evidence in archeological finds in Pompeii. These doors hung from the ceiling. This allowed the doors to move easily. These doors required little to no space to open widely. They saved big space in homes. They used this functionality to create the patio doors we know today. 

The Sliding Glass or Patio Doors we know today came during the pre-war era during the start of the 20th century, and were developed heavily until the start of World War II. It was speculated by historians these doors were fashioned after Japanese doors called Shoji–a sliding translucent door hung by a wood frame.

Glass and sturdy materials replaced less stable pieces to ensure durability. This developed into what we know as the Sliding Glass Door today. You might have a picture in your head of exactly what it looks like already.

New builders and manufacturers during that time wanted to create a seamless space between landscape and home. Their Designs transformed into trackless systems. These Patio doors became the “it” doors in hotels, condominiums and homes.

Today the advancements in technology have allowed the sliding glass door to become;

• Energy Efficient
• Strong and Durable (able to hold up against the elements)
• Double, single or quadruple paned depending on your preference
• Coated with patented formulas which cover the glass to ensure it’s extremely UV resistant
• Gas Filled for more energy efficiency
• More Beautiful and shiny
• More practical with ease of operation and locking mechanisms
• 100% Customizable to whatever your tastes and likings are

(Just one small pitch–our doors at Conservation Construction have this and so much more! Like Easy Clean Coating!)

So there you have it, Patio Doors today have come a long long way from where they started in ancient Rome. They come in multiple styles today too. The French Door (created by the French with center hinge options available), The Sliding Glass Door and, exclusive to us, the Riviera French Slider (which combines the traditional French door and makes it into a sliding glass door).

These doors have come a long way and if you want your old patio door to catch up to today’s standards, give us a call. We give free estimates and we promise not to quiz you on the history of patio doors just to get it.

Thanks for reading. Even if you are simply looking for information or if you are seriously considering replacing your old Sliding Glass Door we really appreciate you reading the article. We’ll see you next week. Have a great weekend!!!

Check out our other websites if you are in the Dallas or Houston or Denver area at Conservation Construction & Conservation Construction of Houston or Conservation Construction of Dallas