Are You Ready to Provide Next-Level Patio Design Advice?
Patio expectations have evolved. Whether it’s a four-season restaurant enclosure, a rooftop amenity, or a residential luxury patio, clients are no longer just buying glass—they’re buying comfort, climate control, energy efficiency, and year-round revenue potential.
To help you lead stronger conversations and immediately elevate your value as a dealer, we’ve summarized the three essential pillars of next-level patio advising from our Patio Design Review guide. PatioDesign Review - Next Level…
Use this as your framework when discussing design options with architects, GCs, and hospitality clients.
1. Start With the Right Operable System: VertaSlide or GLIDE?
Vertaslide – Safety, Security & Easy Automation
The Vertaslide offers:
Minimal frames for maximum sunlight and open sightlines.
Guardrail-compliant panel options—critical for elevated patios.
Energy efficiency, helping restaurants retain heat and improve winter performance.
Slim 2" profiles that preserve views.
Easy automation for effortless opening and closing.
Design discussions to lead:
Where should control switches be located for operational safety?
Do sightlines shift between bar seating and table seating?
Will privacy film or diffused glass improve the guest experience?
GLIDE – Frameless Multi-Slide for Maximum Flexibility
GLIDE’s versatility:
Supports 2–5 track configurations with panels up to 4 ft wide and 10 ft tall, can span clear openings up to 40 feet wide.
Offers flush sill options for seamless accessibility.
Features integrated handles and a clean frameless aesthetic or patch fitting hardware for a more robust and secure opening and closing mechanism.
Includes patented panel retention for enhanced safety and stability.
Design discussions to lead:
Security
Wind-loading limitations and panel sizing.
Stacking direction and space planning around furniture, heaters, or traffic flow.
2. Help Clients Choose the Right Covering System
A truly effective patio is more than just operable walls—it’s how the roof manages sun, heat, snow, and weather.
Option 1: Bioclimatic Louvered Roof
Insulated blades improve thermal efficiency.
Watertight design provides year-round protection.
Integrated drainage prevents dripping or pooling.
Can be finished with drywall for a polished interior look or left exposed for an industrial feel.
This system pairs perfectly with high-end restaurants and multi-season patios.
Option 2: Sustainable Glass Canopies
Reduce heat gain and solar glare.
Improve comfort and UV protection.
Select glass based on UV exposure, seasonal heat retention, and maintenance requirements.
Feature options like HD Blue glass, which reflects 60%+ of solar energy and protects furnishings.
Perfect for clients prioritizing daylight and architectural clarity.
3. Guide Budget Conversations Early
Value engineering options from page 13 help clients stay within budget without compromising design intent:
Replace some Vertaslide or GLIDE sections with fixed glass (approx. 15–20% savings).
Replace part of a louvered roof with glass canopy sections (approx. 15–20% savings).
Dealers who introduce cost-saving strategies up front build trust and win more work.
Your Next Step as a Dealer
If you want to position yourself as a true patio design consultant—not just a supplier—start incorporating these conversations into every early-stage meeting:
✔ “Are you designing for winter heat retention or summer cooling?”
✔ “What’s the guest sightline from bar height versus table height?”
✔ “Do you need automation, privacy, or shading built in?”
✔ “What roof system best aligns with your client’s energy goals?”
This is how you differentiate yourself in a crowded patio market.
We’re here to support your design reviews, pricing scenarios, drawings, and client meetings. If you’d like a custom breakdown for an upcoming project, reply to this email—we’d love to collaborate.
