The Buyers Guide to Sliding Doors

That’s most visitors reaction to homes that successfully use sliding doors to maximise their view.

Imagine an entire wall fitted with floor-to-ceiling glass that slides gracefully aside to let the outside in.

Effortless function combined with the stunning aesthetics of todays high-performance sliding patio doors create an unmissable opportunity to maximise those views from your property.

Sliding patio doors usually comprise two, three or four panels, of which some will slide and some will normally be fixed.

The three most popular type of variations in terms of operation are as follows:

1. Slide – standard operation where the doors slide on tracks.
2. Lift and slide – turning the handle through 180° lifts the door by a few millimetres to glide open effortlessly. It can be locked open in any position, convenient for controlling ventilation and handy for keeping small children or pets safe inside the room whilst leaving slightly ajar.
3. Tilt/slide – the door can be tilted inwards for ventilation or slid across for access.

Low threshold options allow us to create the appearance of a seamless transition between the inside and out.

The continuous connection is achieved with a step free low threshold that delivers a fully accessible patio to enjoy.

See our guide to
low and flush threshold aluminium sliding doors.
or contact us for further advice.

Those with a southern facing aspect may be concerned with sun glare or excessive heat build-up inside the room.

The answer is either integral blinds that are fitted inside the cavity of the sealed unit for protection and privacy.

Or alternatively choose specialist solar control glass such as Sunguard to reduce solar gain and UV light to protect your delicate furnishings.

In extreme cases choose both integral blinds and Sunguard solar control glass together for maximum results.

Ensure your doors include a protected locking system, such as the Avocet Break Secure (ABS) lock, which incorporates the latest technology, is incredibly secure and which burglars can’t get past.

Look for the ‘Secure By Design’ logo.

An incredibly resilient and strong material, powder coated aluminium applied to the latest Qualicoat standards is one of the most durable finishes available.

It won’t discolour, rust or peel, giving it a long-lasting, attractive appearance which can last for decades with virtually no upkeep.

The paint surface only needs to be kept clean by using luke warm mild soapy water and the track kept clear of debris to avoid blocking the drainage system holes.

An occasional drop of light oil or multipurpose grease on the moving parts of the lock will help to ensure continual smooth operation and excellent long-term performance of these parts.