Glass sliding walls: how to keep your veranda usable all year round

A cover keeps the rain off, but not the wind. It is precisely that wind that decides whether you still sit outside in April or October. Glass sliding walls solve that without taking away the feeling of being outdoors. As an installer I fit them almost daily, often under a veranda that has been there for a few years. This is what you can expect from them.

How a glass sliding wall works

A sliding wall consists of separate glass panels running in an aluminium bottom and top rail. Each panel has its own track. That lets you slide them open one by one and stack them on one side. Fully open you have a free patio; fully closed a sheltered room. And everything in between is up to you.

The glass is laminated safety glass; the profiles are slim so the sight lines stay calm. We supply our systems in several colours, matching the frame of your veranda in anthracite, black or cream.

What they do against wind, rain and cold

With the panels closed a veranda is virtually wind- and rainproof. You notice that immediately in spring and autumn: without wind, 14 degrees feels very different from 14 degrees with wind. The sun coming in through the roof and the glass warms the room up like a conservatory.

A few honest notes:

• A sliding wall is not an insulated facade. It is an outdoor space you can use for longer, not an extra living room in January.
• There is a small gap between the panels; it provides ventilation and prevents condensation. That is by design.
• On the windiest days of the year there can be some draught. Our systems are made for Dutch weather conditions and remain stable and safe.

From spring to winter: how to use the garden room

Spring. Panels closed, the first sun warms the room. This is when customers message us most often: "We're sitting outside!"

Summer. Everything open. Combine with sun shading above or below the roof, or a zip screen on the sunny side. That keeps it cool without losing the view.

Autumn. Panels closed on the windward side, one panel open for fresh air. With a patio heater or an infrared panel you sit without a coat well into November.

Winter. The garden room keeps the patio furniture dry and clean. On a sunny winter day it is surprisingly pleasant, and with LED lighting it is a place to sit in the evening too.

Combinations that work well

Also under an existing cover

Most sliding walls we install under verandas that are already there, including other brands or wooden ones. We always measure on site. If the floor or the posts are not perfectly straight, we solve that during installation with fitting pieces. Installation usually takes one day.

Maintenance

Very little. Rinse the bottom rail now and then so that leaves and sand do not hinder the wheels, and wash the glass like an ordinary window. That is all.

What does it cost?

That depends on the number of sides, the width and height, and the number of panels. After a free site survey you receive a tailored quote, usually within 2 hours of the conversation. You get a warranty on the product and on the installation, and you only pay after delivery.

Curious whether your cover is suitable? Request a quote or see the projects we have already installed.

This article is general information, not legal or structural advice. Rules and prices can change; we assess your situation during the site survey.