Sitting above fairway and forest in the Gozzer Ranch community, this Idaho ranch was designed for indoor-outdoor living and to withstand harsh mountain weather that shifts dramatically. The centerpiece, sleek folding patio doors and windows that open wide to mountain views, close effortlessly when the weather turns. These performance glass systems are engineered to stand up to harsh mountain weather: From lake breezes and high summer to snow, wind-driven rain, long winter sun, and seasonal temperature shifts. The home was designed so mornings spill onto the terrace, pool days can run straight through the kitchen, afternoons spent alfresco dining, and winter evenings feel cozy, warm, and protected.
A Modern Ranch: Big Indoor Outdoor Dreams & Folding Patio Doors
Designed by Discovery Land Company and built by Gayteway Custom Homes, the 6,276 sq ft ranch has 8 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms stretched across 1.24 acres. Folding patio doors open the great room and kitchen to a generous patio, a resort-style pool and spa, and wide-open mountain views. The plan was organized around expansive openings with folding patio doors that create wide open, indoor-outdoor living.
A home that checks every box on the ultimate entertainer’s dream design list: golf and mountain views, a flexible open layout, and indoor-outdoor living via folding patio doors with direct access to the fire pit, lounge space, pass-through outdoor dining area, jacuzzi, and pool. The systems let spaces connect and adapt without moving furniture, and daily life expands outside for gatherings of every size.
“We wanted to design a home that had an indoor-outdoor living feel. The NanaWall creates a seamless opening to the large patio, pool, and the beauty of Gozzer Ranch and Golf and Lake Club.” - Chris Gayte, Owner, Gayteway Custom Homes
Design Language: Materials, Details, and Fit
The mountain modern design style is classic: warm finishes, clean lines, and view-first logic. In this custom home, the slim aluminum frames of folding patio doors and windows complement the materials perfectly, including the palette of wood, stone, and steel, without competing for attention.
Outside, the systems stand up to sun and weather; inside, slim aluminum frames, minimal design, and sleek glass systems elevate the design while harnessing views and indoor-outdoor living. The folding patio doors read as part of that palette. The aesthetic goal was minimal hardware, crisp lines, and transparency that let the materials and landscape carry the story. At night, warm interior lights and glass doors glow like a warm lantern amongst the landscape.
Disappearing Folding Patio Doors: How the Great Room Breathes
In the great room, a nine-panel NW Aluminum 640 folding glass wall is the design solution that makes the plan breathe. The ultra slim, floor supported system spans 27-feet-wide by almost 10-feet-high and uses outward-opening folding patio doors that glide easily to the right. When the folding system is open, the open-plan living and dining area reads like a pavilion to the pool and fire lounge; when closed, the thermally broken aluminum frames and insulated tempered glass keep the interiors comfortable.
Details matter at the threshold and in daily use. A thermally broken low profile saddle sill delivers barefoot-friendly transitions while resisting wind-driven rain (with drainage by others). The stile lines match the fixed clerestories above, so the elevation reads as one intentional façade.
The Same Design Language: Matching Pass-Through Windows
A few steps from the great room, an indoor-outdoor kitchen with a folding window keeps everyday life easy. The kitchen uses a companion NW Aluminum 640 folding window, so instead of a mismatched window and door, the whole elevation reads as one system speaking the same design language. The folding window lands directly on the countertop to create a true pass-through bar and alfresco dining space. Opening outward, the folding window system is about 10' wide by 7' high, and stacks to the left for maximum space planning. Designed with matching glass lines and slim aluminum profiles, the home’s glass lines, transoms, and stile widths all align in a single, calm sightline.
Mountain Weather Is the Test: Performance You Can Feel
Folding patio doors are designed to perform for the full range of mountain weather, from storm days to snowmelt and August sun. This durable façade holds its line. For demanding environments, NanaWall systems can be customized with triple or, in this case, double glazed panels for added insulation. In addition, these systems are independently tested for air, water, structure, operation, and forced entry. Verified performance translates to real comfort at the glass year-round. The combination of thermally broken, slim aluminum frames, paired with insulated tempered glass, keeps interiors cozy, while tight air- and water-seals shut out drafts and wind-driven rain.
“We have been using the NanaWall System in many of our new homes. For this home, the NanaWall system was a perfect choice to create a beautiful indoor-outdoor living and entertaining space. The beauty, quality, and easy maneuvering of opening and closing these doors make it easy to choose NanaWall.” - Chris Gayte, Owner, Gayteway Custom Homes
A Design Solution That Changes How Space Lives, Every Day
When the wall folds away, the boundary between inside and out softens, and the space begins to function more like a covered terrace than a traditional living room. The dining table shifts closer to the patio, conversations migrate toward the pool, and the overall plan reads as one continuous indoor-outdoor environment rather than two separate zones.
On most days, the panels remain open, drawing in cross-breezes and pulling natural light deep into the interior for seamless indoor-outdoor living. The floor warms in the sun, and the air moves easily through the space. When the weather turns, the system closes effortlessly, and the seat by the glass still feels connected to the landscape beyond.
“We build some of the most high-end custom residences in the country, and our focus is to design large open spaces that flow to outdoor living spaces. NanaWall systems are a key element of these designs,” - Chris Gayte, Owner, Gayteway Custom Homes
Final Thoughts
Great mountain home design considers both lifestyle and performance. At this Idaho Ranch, the opening glass wall makes both feel simple. On clear days, the room can open fully to the pool and the trees, letting the outdoors become part of the space. When conditions change, the system closes smoothly and keeps the interior warm, quiet, and protected.
What matters is how well it works across seasons. Open when you want fresh air and connection. Closed when you need comfort and control. The result is a home that stays bright, livable, and closely tied to its setting all year long.
Read more about how NanaWall opening glass systems elevate indoor-outdoor living, even in cold-weather climates, by exploring our extensive project inspiration gallery!
