RSJ Reflections

 

SEASONS GREETINGS fellow Rancho San Juaners from the Chiu homestead here at the far west end of Via Zamora -- immediately adjacent to our local "Cape Pamplona" launch facility.  I’m writing this blogpost to share with you all our most recent home renovation project -- one that some of you may find of interest.  After considering various approaches of enclosing our 20' x 20' “Capistrano room” we have finally found (what we believe to be) the ideal solution for our needs.  

 

As we certainly love the "open feel” of the standard unenclosed Capistrano room, we also found that dealing with the omnipresent issues of dust and small “critters” (like lizards, frogs, mice, etc.) to be an ongoing challenge.  Not to mention the cool weather months of the year (starting now) when the space is essentially unusable except during daylight hours.  So we searched for a system which offered a similar “open look”, yet also provided security and protection from the aforementioned natural elements.  And lastly, of course, the flexibility of allowing the system to be opened/closed to virtually any desired level on any given day.  

 

The choices were not too many as most of the solutions were the more common "La Cantina" style patio doors systems similar to the one that the builder installed originally.  There are many manufacturers of these types of systems (La Cantina, Millgard, etc.), and they all generally feature thick frame structures around the glass periphery, which aren't unattractive per sé, but blocked off too much outward visibility and looked too "busy" in an architectural and aesthetic sense.  Ultimately, our solution of choice was the more contemporary and minimal "frameless glass door" system by a company based in San Diego — CoverGlass USA (http://www.coverglassusa.com).  The system that they offer are sliding panels of very sturdy 1/2"-laminated tempered glass which glide on tracks, featuring individual panels that stack compactly on either side (or both sides) of the opening.

 

For those who would like to see the system in person, what we're planning on doing is to host an "open patio" in the new year, most likely sometime in February after the holiday rush has subsided.  We'll keep you all posted on when this is going to be, but in the meantime feel free to check out the CoverGlass USA website.  Also they do have a showroom location here in Orange county as well, at 2426 Newport Blvd, Unit E, Costa Mesa 92627.

 

Incidentally, since I also volunteer as the "webmaster" for our association, if anyone has any comments and/or suggestions, please feel free to reach out to us via the "Contact Us" navigation link in the header ... otherwise wishing everyone a SAFE and HEALTHFUL holiday season ... MERRY CHRISTMAS!!