Your guide to glass door hardware
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Are you looking for hardware for a glass door? Explore your options in our jargon-free buyer's guide.
Some things never change. The sun shines, the grass grows – and glass doors are a marker of style and affluence.
Like any aspect of interior design, of course, glass doors can convey different moods and aesthetics. The door to a private detective's office in a classic film noir has a very different vibe to a door in a 21st-century financial quarter.
But despite these differences, they all speak of style, minimalism and a touch of splendour. They separate the outside world from a rarefied world within, letting in huge draughts of natural light in the process.
Part of their style is due to door hardware. Sometimes known as "door furniture", this refers to the family of objects that can be attached to a door to make it more functional, beautiful or both.
At ToughGlaze, we love the sheer level of detail and creativity that glass can offer – and glass doors are no exception. Handles, locks, hinges and fasteners can all add personality as well as functionality.
So, without further ado, here's a whistle-stop tour of glass door hardware. We hope it helps you get the right hardware for your project.
What is door hardware?
"Door hardware" (or "door furniture") refers to any component mounted on a door that's used to open, close or lock it. This includes handles, knobs, locks, hinges and other accessories. These components are primarily functional but can also increase the aesthetic appeal of a door.
Like any other kind of door, glass doors can be fitted with hardware to increase functionality and aesthetics. Most of these components overlap with other kinds of doors.
Glass door hinges
Glass door hinges are often made of stainless steel. Some, however, are made from brass, steel or aluminium. Hinges can mount glass doors to the wall or to another piece of glass, as in a shower enclosure.
Part of the appeal of glass doors is their seamless, minimalist look. For this reason, many people choose small, discreet hinges.
Glass door handles
Glass doors can have the same handles as other kinds of doors. The three main types are levers, pull handles and door knobs. You can also buy panic bars and flush pull handles for sliding glass doors.
While these products do the same job as handles for other kinds of doors, you can buy door handles specifically made for glass doors.
Glass door locks
There are many kinds of locks for glass doors. Some secure the door to a frame or solid wall. Some can be retrofitted to an existing glass door without any changes being made to the glass. Some bond to the glass with UV adhesive. Some are clamped to the door edge.
If the door lock is clamped or adhered to the glass door, DIY installation is possible. Where drilling and other methods are required, it's best to get professional help.
As with other kinds of doors, glass locks come in a range of styles. The same goes for glass door fasteners such as latches and bolts.
Sliding glass doors
Sliding glass doors can add a touch of class to any property. They typically have handles. These come in a range of designs and materials, so you can be confident your door hardware will blend into your project's overall aesthetic.
They run on tracks – a kind of door hardware that other doors don't have. Replacing a sliding glass door track is a difficult job. You have to disassemble the existing track, remove the glass panel and install the new track. Many people seek professional help to complete this task.
Glass door accessories
Other kinds of glass door accessories include door knockers, door stops, letterboxes and peepholes. You can also get doorbells and video doorbells, although some say these don't technically fall under the bracket of "hardware".
Glass doors can also be fitted with motion sensors or pressure pads so they open automatically when people approach.
What are frameless glass doors?
A popular style of glass doors is the so-called "frameless" variety. These aren't technically frameless – no door is. Instead, their frames are hidden within the structure.
Frameless glass doors have a sleek, minimalist look that's popular among homeowners and businesses alike. They can also be made using
smart glass – a type of glass that can be switched from opaque to transparent at the click of a button.
What kind of glass do you need for glass doors?
When it comes to glass installations, safety is always a concern. But with high-traffic areas like doors, the glass needs to be extra-safe. That's where
safety glass comes in.
Safety glass is a type of glass built to withstand more impact than regular glass. To put this into perspective, your average sheet of safety glass is usually around five times stronger than an equivalent sheet of annealed glass.
There are two main types of safety glass:
toughened (or tempered) and
laminated. In both cases, it takes a huge amount of force to shatter them – and they're built to shatter in more safely than annealed glass.
Safety glass also includes
fire-rated glass and
security glass. These can also be used to make glass doors.
What should you look for in toughened glass for glass doors?
If you're buying toughened glass for a glass door, you should ensure it meets BS EN standards and carries the Kitemark seal of approval. You should also make sure you buy it from a reputable and experienced glass processor.
Taking these precautions will minimise the chances of injury if your glass door breaks. It will also minimise the risk of having to get it replaced.
Are you looking for high-quality safety glass for a glass door installation? Here at ToughGlaze, we can cut, process and ship your glass from one state-of-the-art facility. That includes cutting bore holes for door hardware.
Get in touch today to request a quick, competitive quote.
