Open corner glazed doors ideas

Open corners really are something special. Just a single wall of glass doors can make a huge difference to your home, flooding your living space with natural light and offering almost seamless views to the outside. Now imagine doubling that effect!

An open corner can be created with fixed window glazing, but using two sets of glass doors - either bi-folding or sliding - takes it to the next level. Open the doors away from each other to leave the corner entirely open, and it's a game changer! It creates one seamless expanse of space that merges your home with your patio or garden. It’s perfect for alfresco dining and entertaining, or simply some quiet reflection, during the warmer months.

If you’re considering creating an open corner in your home or incorporating it into a new extension, you may be wondering how open corners work. What kind of structural support do they need? And what are the options for using sliding doors or bi-folds?

With the help of some images of the best Solarlux open glass corners, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about creating open corners with bi-folding or sliding doors.

Corner glazed door options

There are various ways to create open corners and which one you choose can depend on your preference and budget, as well as the structure of your home or extension.

For maximum effect, you’ll probably want to create a cantilevered or floating roof with a movable corner post. However, this may not always be possible depending on the structural design of your home or extension and the support that is needed.

Floating open corner

Floating open corners (sometimes known as moving corners or frameless corners) do not have any visible means of support and are instead created with a cantilever roof that is built into the design of the building.

The end panel of the bi-folding or sliding doors has a movable post fixed to it which folds or slides with it when opened.

This tends to be the most popular choice with homeowners, and it’s not hard to see why. It allows both apertures to be opened up completely from the corner, leaving the space completely unobstructed and giving the effect of a floating roof.

Open corner with fixed steel post

If a floating roof is not an option or your preferred choice, you can still create an open corner but it will need a fixed post to support the weight of the building above. This static supporting element is usually in the form of a steel post placed either inside or outside the room.

Open corner with fixed corner pillar

Instead of a fixed supporting steel post, a brick corner pillar can also be used between the two sets of bi-folding or sliding doors. However, this creates less of an open corner effect and instead looks more like there are two sets of bi-folds or sliding doors on two distinct walls.

Quick questions

Are open corners thermally efficient and watertight when closed?

When closed, open corners are as thermally efficient and watertight as sliding doors and bi-fold doors would be along one standard wall.

Are open corners secure when closed?

Open corners provide the same high level of security when closed as any other sliding door or bi-folding door. All Solarlux glass doors have a sophisticated a multi-point locking system that has been tested to high security standards. This applies equally when there is a moveable corner post.

Which is best for open corners - bi-folds or sliding doors?

Both bi-folding and sliding doors work equally well with open corner configurations, so it’s down to personal preference. Read our article here about the difference between bi-folds and sliding doors.

Planning your open glass corners

It’s important to plan your open corner glazing thoroughly and work with the correct professionals such as an architect, builder and structural engineer to ensure the project is carried out correctly and safely.

It’s also a good idea to involve a specialist glazing installer from the design stage onwards to ensure the open corner glazing is specified, manufactured and installed correctly. Not only will this lead to a stunning result but it will also make sure that the glass doors work perfectly and the glazing adheres to all relevant building regulations and standards.

Open glass corners look great in all kinds of home, from traditional to modern. If you live in a period or listed property and are creating an open corner, make sure to check whether planning permission is needed for the work.

Solarlux open glass corners

Solarlux’s range of custom-made bi-fold doors, sliding doors and Cero sliding doors can all be incorporated into an open corner configuration, allowing you to create something that works for your home and requirements. With more than 200 RAL colour options for both the interior and exterior frames, and available in aluminium alone or in a composite wood and aluminium, there’s something to suit all styles and tastes.

Solarlux even offers something that's incredibly rare for open corner sliding doors - a three track meeting a two track on the corner (see detail above). This complex element in the structure of the sliding doors allows for more flexibility when designing your open corner.