Sliding Doors For High-Rise Balconies: What Builders Should Consider

In any high-rise construction, balcony sliding doors play a critical part. Capable of transforming any space, they also affect a building’s energy performance, acoustics, occupant comfort, and long-term durability. As a builder, you cannot ignore their form and functionality. Neither can you be casual with your choice of vendor. 

In this blog, HaloGlass – one of the top suppliers of custom doors and windows in North America, will show why your choice of sliding doors should go beyond aesthetics to combine technical performance, safety compliance, and endurance. 

Here is a detailed breakdown of factors you must consider when specifying sliding doors for high-rise balconies. 

Sliding Doors: 5 Factors That Influence Their Performance In High-Rises

Whether you are a builder or a contractor, the sliding door type and design you select for your next high-rise project must fulfil some critical parameters. These include: 

• Wind load performance 

High-rises in Canada have an average of 13+ floors at the least. This height means that towers have to be built with strong wind loads in mind. As a consequence, the sliding doors you install in the balcony must be designed to resist both positive and negative wind pressures, water penetration, and frame deflection. 

Aluminum sliding doors are strong enough to withstand high winds. The epitome of rigidity and strength, they retain their performance under strong wind loads, thanks to their reinforced frames, multi-chamber profiles, and high-grade hardware. 

• Thermal and energy efficiency

Code compliance is not something you can take lightly when it comes to high-rises. Every single element used must meet provincial energy standards, including the sliding glass doors used in balconies. 

So before placing an order, you must make sure your chosen door features aluminum frames, low emissivity insulated glass units, double or triple glazing, warm-edge spacers, and high-air tightness ratings. 

Each of these elements, when combined, will help you create a space that loses minimal heat in winters and gains lower heat in summers. Plus, it will also contribute positively to the building’s overall energy goals while ensuring compliance. 

• Acoustic performanc

Generally located in busy neighborhoods, high-rise occupants have to deal with noise from traffic, construction, people etc. on a regular basis. 

However, you can minimize noise transfer by using sliding doors that feature laminated glass, multi-point locking systems, high quality perimeter seals, and rigid aluminum frames. Together they improve sound insulation, leading to greater occupant satisfaction and decreased noise-related complaints. 

• Safety glass requirements

Code compliance isn’t restricted to energy efficiency. The glass used in your choice of sliding doors should meet set safety parameters for balcony door systems. 

You have two options in this regard – tempered glass, which offers better impact resistance, and laminated glass, which retains its functionality in case of breakage.

We recommend using laminated glass for high-rises because it is the safest choice. Its multi-layered design ensures the glass inside stays intact even if it gets fractured upon high impact. 

• Smooth operation and hardware quality

High-rises demand windows and doors that offer smooth operation despite heavy temperature swings. Modern aluminum systems, such as those designed by HaloGlass, feature precision engineered rollers along with corrosion-resistant hardware that maintains optimal performance even in heavy use environments. They also feature robust tracks and multi-point locks for added security. You can count on them to deliver long-term reliability without compromising on safety. 

Conclusion 

High-rises are built differently from single-unit homes. They require space-efficient and flexible sliding doors that seamlessly fit into the architecture style of the building and add to its functionality instead of taking away from it.  

At HaloGlass, we provide the finest sliding glass door systems specifically designed for Ontario high-rises. Offering exceptional structural performance, energy-efficiency, and smooth operation, they retain their durability in the long-run. Contact us to get the best sliding doors for modern high-rise residential and mixed use projects.