Skip to content

Heated Glass in minimal windows® Sliding Doors

minimal windows glazing systems have a wide range of applications, from garden rooms and indoor pool areas to modern glass extensions. Our systems can be used in almost any project and we have a wide range of glazing designs to suit any specific project requirements.

Heated glass is one glazing option for the minimal windows and minimal windows 4+ sliding glass doors. Heated glass refers to glazing units that have a transparent metal oxide coating on the internal side of a glass pane.

This can be the internal or external pane of glass and which pane is heated depends on what the heated sliding glass doors need to achieve. Heated Glass can be used for minimal windows sliding door systems, providing they are in a 2-track sliding door configuration or a configuration with 3 panes where one pane is fixed and 2 are sliding.

Heated sliding glass doors can be used to help heat the home, prevent condensation build-up in areas with high moisture levels in the air and melt snow and ice in locations where a build-up of this can cause issues.

north facing glass box extension with heated sliding glass doors used as a heat source to keep the internal space warm
heated sliding glass doors used in a glass extension indoor pool area

How Does Heated Glass Work?

A metal oxide coating is applied to the internal face of the pane that will be heated. This transparent coating does not affect the look or clarity of the glass. Single glass panes cannot be heated as the metal oxide coating needs to be within an insulated glass unit.

To heat the pane, electricity is passed from buzz bars at the head and base of the unit to the coating. Different power outputs into the bars will have different effects on the heated glass and therefore the required wattage should be calculated on a project-to-project basis.

Our team will be able to discuss what you want the heated glass to achieve and will be able to recommend the best way to achieve this, including the power voltage required and glazing specifications.

heated sliding glass doors used on a contemporary sustainable new build home
restaurant with heated sliding glass door sused as a heat source to amintian a comfortable temperature

Heated Sliding Glass Doors for Comfort & Snow Removal

Heating and comfort in the home

Heated sliding glass doors can be used as a sole heat source to heat the home. This turns something that can be a major source of heat loss in the home into a heat source.

This would be done by using the metal oxide coating on the internal pane of the slim sliding doors.

An excellent example of this is our Strand Court project, where the homeowners opted for heated glass in the minimal windows sliding glass doors for the master bedroom. The heated sliding glass doors acted as the sole heat source for this room, eradicating the need for radiators or other heat sources that would take up space.

For snow removal

In areas where snowfall is heavy or often, making the external panes of the sliding doors heated can help to melt away snow and ice. This prevents the snow from obstructing the panoramic views offered by the slim aluminium framing on the sliding glass doors.

Our heated sliding doors were used for this glass extension to create a comfortable and warm internal living space that maintains clear views of the outdoors even in heavy snowfall. Our triple glazed sliding door system, the minimal window 4+, was specified with heated glass to ensure the room benefits from the outstanding thermal performance.

This is also useful when minimal window sliding glass doors are used as exit and entrance points in a location with heavy snowfall, as the build-up of this may prevent people from being able to enter or leave the building.

contemporary home extension with heated sliding glass doors being used as a heat source and to prevent show and ice build up
extension with heated slim sliding glass doors for snow melting and removal

Heated Sliding Glass Doors for Condensation Prevention

Prevent condensation build up in high moisture areas

In internal spaces such as indoor pool areas, the air has high moisture levels and condensation build up is common. To prevent condensation, heated glass can be used for the internal pane of the aluminium sliding doors that faces inwards to the pool area.

Condensation is created when warm air hits a cold surface, so creating glass with a warm surface stops the reaction. Also by keeping the outer pane cool, the glazing acts as an excellent divider between spaces with different climates such as pool and gym areas.

Pool glazing needs careful consideration, not only is condensation build up common but depending on how close the glazing is to the pool the chemicals in the air could affect the glass. Glazing specifications and frame finishes such as marine grade finishes or low maintenance glass can be used to protect the slim sliding doors.

heated sliding glass doors as the sole heat source of this master bedroom with harbor views
heated glass used as a divider between and indoor pool and indoor gym area

Controlling Heated Sliding Glass Doors

Heated glass can be controlled via a thermostat which is linked to a temperature sensor within the unit, or by a centralised control system such as smart home automation.

Which control method is used will depend on the power wattage used for the heated glass, if it is more then 100 W/m2 it must be controlled with a thermostat and temperature sensor.

With smart home automation or any similar system, the control panel is able to be as far away as 50m from the heated glass.

Heated glass in numbers

  • Heated glass can reach surface temperatures from 20° to 60°C
  • Power density of 50-100 W/m2 is needed for the glass to prevent condensation build up
  • As an invisible heating solution, the size of heated glass should equal at least 20% of the floor area

For more information about heated glass in minimal windows sliding glass doors, get in touch with the team today.

01494 722 880