Rooftops are full of untapped potential and unmatched views. Whether it’s a restaurant, hotel, office building, or event venue, a thoughtfully designed rooftop can unlock new revenue, attract guests, and create memorable experiences.
So, how can a rooftop be transformed into a thriving business? A great ambiance, flexible floorplans, and all-season usability are key. That’s where high-performance design elements like opening glass doors can make a real difference. By allowing indoor-outdoor flow and year-round functionality, they help businesses get the most out of every square foot. Looking for commercial rooftop ideas? Let’s start with a few favorites.
5 Commercial Rooftop Ideas People Love with Opening Glass Doors
Commercial rooftop ideas come in all shapes and sizes, offering the opportunity to extend a property’s usability and profitability, especially in urban areas where every square foot counts. With the right design approach, they can become high-performing venues that attract guests, support tenant wellness, and generate additional revenue. Here are some versatile and profitable commercial rooftops to consider:
- Rooftop Bars: Rooftop bars offer city views, fresh air, and a lively atmosphere that consistently draws crowds. With the right layout and lighting, they can operate year-round and become standout destinations.
- Rooftop Restaurants: Dining with a view adds instant appeal. Rooftop restaurants create memorable experiences and offer flexible layouts that adapt to changing weather and the volume of guests.
- Rooftop Workplace Amenities: Rooftop lounges and wellness areas give office tenants a welcome break from indoor settings. These amenities support employee well-being and add value to commercial buildings.
- Rooftop Event Spaces: Rooftops make eye-catching venues for weddings, receptions, and corporate events. Their visual impact and flexible design options help boost bookings and marketability.
- Rooftop Swimming Pool: Pools, spas, and fitness decks on rooftops elevate a property’s lifestyle offering, especially in urban multifamily buildings. Paired with lounge seating or yoga areas, they appeal to both residents and guests.
How Opening Glass Doors Enhance Rooftop Appeal and Function
Rooftop destinations, from restaurants to amenities, capitalize on one unique offering: skyline views. But why settle for fixed windows when you can leverage the flexibility of dynamic movable glass doors?
These sleek design solutions are engineered to withstand the daily grind of commercial spaces and independently tested to ensure performance in high-rise environments. Plus, with options like double or triple glazing, impact-rated glass, reinforced frames, and optimal windload resistance, these doors are a worthy investment that will ensure guest and customer comfort for various commercial rooftop ideas.
5 Design Considerations when Specifying NanaWall Opening Glass Doors in Rooftops
Rooftop environments present a unique set of challenges that require careful product selection. When specifying opening glass doors like NanaWall for elevated spaces, it’s important to account for structural performance, windloads, accessibility, and long-term durability. Below are five key considerations to guide the design process for any of your commercial rooftop ideas:
1. Windload and Impact Ratings
High elevations come with increased wind pressure and exposure to harsh elements. NanaWall systems are independently tested to meet strict windload and impact requirements, ensuring long-term safety and structural reliability in both coastal and high-rise rooftop installations. Systems like the NW Reinforced 647 are engineered to meet higher windload requirements with a DP rating of +/- 85 psf and CW55 rating.
2. Weather Performance and Low Maintenance
Rooftop doors must deliver reliable protection against the elements. NanaWall opening glass doors feature thermally broken sills and frames, continuous sealing around the panels, as well as double and triple glazing options for optimal insulation and comfort. Each system is independently tested for air, water, structural, operation, and forced entry with excellent results. This level of performance helps maintain interior comfort while supporting year-round usability of the space.
3. ADA-Compliance
Accessibility is a critical requirement in any commercial setting. NanaWall systems offer ADA-compliant sills with a unique high heel resistant feature and optional integrated swing doors that allow for easy entry and exit without compromising the visual continuity or performance of the glass wall system. There is even a top-hung sliding glass door option that allows for minimal floor sockets in place of a floor track. These features help ensure that rooftop spaces remain inclusive and code-compliant.
Photo courtesy of Cityfront Place
4. Folding vs Sliding Systems
The choice between folding and sliding glass doors depends on layout, aesthetic goals, and functional needs. Folding systems allow panels to stack neatly to the side, creating wide openings ideal for events and high-traffic areas.
Sliding systems also create large functional openings with a few more stacking options. Systems like the HSW60 offer individual panels that can glide into remote stacks, whereas systems like cero, a minimally framed sliding glass wall, offer the largest panels available and open like conventional sliding doors to one side. All options offer functionality, ease of use, and unobstructed views.
5. Commercial-Grade Features
Opening glass doors in rooftop spaces must stand up to heavy use and commercial demands. NanaWall systems can be customized with commercial specifications like higher kickplates, panic hardware, and convenient swing doors tested to 500,000 opening and closing cycles for optimal performance assurance. In addition, a wide range of finishes and powder coating options are available to match your business brand and unique identity.
Final Thoughts
More than just scenic spaces, rooftops offer the opportunity to add function, appeal, and revenue to commercial properties. With thoughtful design and durable, all-season infrastructure, they can support everything from dining and events to wellness and workplace amenities.
Opening glass doors like NanaWall systems help make these spaces usable year-round, offering seamless indoor-outdoor transitions, strong weather protection, and commercial-grade performance. When specified strategically, they unlock the full potential of rooftop environments and elevate both the user experience and the property’s value.
Explore more commercial rooftop ideas and design inspiration with NanaWall opening glass doors in our project gallery!
