Grand Openings

Homeowners are asking remodelers for larger and grander entry and patio doors, and manufacturers are responding with some of their largest units ever. What’s driving the trend? A greater sense of indoor/outdoor living, more seamless transition between the two environments, increased functionality, and a lot more natural light and fresh. 

Several examples of these mammoth entryways were on display at the 2025 International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas in February. Here are a few that left a big impression.

Kolbe Windows & Doors

Kolbe’s new VistaLuxe WD LINE Stretta sliding door (above) is available with one wide fixed-unit panel and two-, three- or four-panel bi-parting configurations, with maximum operating panels up to 9.8 feet wide and 11.7 feet tall. Special rollers are designed to allow the immense panels to easily side open or closed; when closed, they are tightly sealed on all four sides to block air and water infiltration. The panels are offered in 14 wood species for the interior and numerous color and finish options for the exterior.

The VistaLuxe AL LINE pocketing all-aluminum multi-slide door (below) is available in panels up to 7.6 feet wide and 10 feet tall; a maximum of six panels can be specified to create an impressive 42-foot-wide opening. The panels also can be configured with 90-degree corners. Four powder-coated and three anodized interior and exterior colors are offered.

Weather Shield Windows & Doors

Weather Shield unveiled its new ultra-modern VUE Collection, including a pivoting entry door (above) and Full View Multi-Slide Door (below). The pivot entry door is available in a variety of sizes, with some available up to 14.1 feet tall and others up to 8.2 feet wide. The door has a concealed, adjustable pivot mechanism designed for smooth operation. A variety of styles are available, including full glass with thermally broken aluminum construction and panels in Artisan Metal or Artisan Wood with an engineered honeycomb core.

The new multi-slide door is designed for a minimalist aesthetic, with a visible aluminum profile of only one inch and panels available up to 12 feet tall and 6.3 feet wide. A maximum of 10 panels can be specified to create an opening that spans more than 58 feet. Frames can be seamlessly integrated into the walls so the sliding glass panels can be completely flush with both the ceiling and the floor. More than 60 finish colors are offered.

NanaWall

NanaWall showed its new Generation 4 MultiSlide Glass Wall, which offer sliding panels up to 6.6 feet wide and 10.2 feet tall in two- or three-panel configurations. The slim aluminum frame allows for the intersection of sliding panels to be a narrow 2-1/8 inches for a nearly uninterrupted view out. Panels are offered in double- and triple-glazing options, and Gothic arch rollers help them smoothly open and close. The system installs with flush sills that are level with the floor for a streamlined look that’s ADA-compliant. A rattle-resistant feature comes standard in the head track, so panels remain quiet; it also serves a security function, preventing the panels from being lifted or pried out of the frame, according to the company.

Panoramic Doors

Panoramic Doors showed its new Coastal Storm Door, which is a slide-stack panel door system with standard impact-resistant glass designed to withstand extreme wind, rain, and debris that come along with hurricanes and other severe weather. The company says the door has undergone rigorous testing and that its T-Sash design provides enough frame reinforcement to withstand winds exceeding 165 mph. It has a DP-70 rating, is engineered to handle the extreme conditions found in High-Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ), and has received Florida Building Code (FBC) approval.

The panels are available up to 40 inches wide and 10 feet tall and can be configured for a maximum opening that spans an impressive 48 feet wide for an indoor/outdoor feel. They are available in right, left, or butterfly configuration and in three standard colors and more than 200 custom colors.