Sliding patio doors are available in a wide range of styles and there is one ideal for your requirements. Sliding patio door systems or also referred to as sliding glass doors are available in 3 material types:
- Timber
- Aluminium
- PVC
Patio sliding doors all operate in a similar way and each material type has their own advantages and disadvantages. It will very much depend on the image that you want and how each of the different materials will blend in with your existing environment.
Sliding doors are ideal when space is a premium and insufficient room is available for swinging type door panels such as bi fold doors, French doors and folding sliding doors.
All manufacturers will offer bespoke made-to-measure door sets exactly meeting your needs. If you wish to install the units yourself ‘off the shelf’ door sets are available.
Timber Type
If you are looking for a traditional natural look and feel, hardwood doors are the perfect choice. Timber being a natural product brings the feel and warmth to any room. They are available in either hardwood or softwood prefinished or unfinished.
Nowadays with the advances of manufacturing techniques you can rest assured that timber hardwood door products are built to last. Frames made from laminated timbers involve cutting up the timber section into strips (usually 3 pieces) and gluing the pieces back together again with high strength glues. Each timber piece in the completed timber section is set with the grain against each other. The end result is the timber built back up again to form the door framing material. This manufacturing method prevents the timbers from expanding, warping and twisting and therefore they remain stable during their lifetime.
With a timber sliding glass patio door set you can also benefit from high security multi-point locking mechanisms including anti-lift out devices as a barrier for forced entry. In addition thermal efficient glazing systems can make the overall package ideal.
The timbers go through a treatment process prior to the machining comprising an anti rot and anti fungal treatment. The treatment helps to protect the wood from the harm full rays of the sun and prevent moisture ingress ensuring many years of use.
The finishing of the door is entirely up to you. Advances now allow wooden products to be finished to a very high standard protecting the wood from the elements. Either chose from the many stain finishes that will bring out the natural grains of the timbers or painted with coloured paint to whatever colour you wish. Doors can be delivered unfinished for you to undertake this on site. However, care should be exercised to ensure that the timber is finished in accordance with the manufactures instructions. Pre-painting in the factory is recommended with the following advantages:
- Wood finish materials used well tested and tried
- Controlled factory environment with high quality smooth finish achieved
- Doors are complete when installed – no painting required
- Usually provided with a guarantee
- Finish can last up to 10 years
A fine example of timber sliding patio doors
Aluminium Type
Aluminium sliding door systems are a very popular choice due to modern appearance together with strength and durability they provide. They require the minimum of maintenance and will maintain their appearance during their long lifetime. The aluminium framing is available in a wide range of colours for you to choose from.
Advantages of aluminium include:
- Modern appearance with the fine line profiles or wide bulky frames
- The frames incorporate a thermal brake to stop the build-up of condensation and improving the thermal efficiency
- Due to the high strength that aluminium provides larger sliding glass patio doors can be produced
- Resistant to damage by scratching or knocks
Sliding Configurations
- Two Track Sliding – Two sliding doors provide an opening of 50% of the opening width
- Three Track Sliding – Offers three or more door panels all sliding with none fixed. With the three tracks wider opening are available with door panels stacking behind each other allowing large openings
An example of aluminium sliding patio doors
PVC Type
UPVC sliding patio doors, provide good performance with the added benefit of minimal maintenance for many years.
Two basic sliding options are available:
In Line Sliding – The vinyl sliding patio doors comprise a single sliding door alongside a fixed panel. The uPVC patio doors is housed in a surround frame allowing a smooth sliding motion.
Tilt and Slide – The panels are in line with each other when in the closed position. To open a panel simply tilt and pull the door panel inwards and the slide to the side to the rear of the adjacent fixed panel. The tilting action is useful if ventilation only is required without leaving the door panel in the open position.
The door panels are located on non corroding stainless steel track and rollers making the sliding action smooth and effortless.
An example of PVC sliding patio doors
UPVC colours available (see colour below)
Standard colours and finishes to suite everyone needs and tastes.
- Polar white
- Cream
- Cherrywood
- Rosewood
- Light oak
- Mahogany
Range of uPVC colours
Glazing Options for All Door Types
Patio doors tend to be quite large and therefore thermal efficiency and safety are important considerations.
Glass used for thermal efficiency
Low-E (low emissivity) glass widely used in double glazing units is coated to filter out long wave radiation from the sun i.e. infrared heat but will allow through short wave radiation i.e. visible light. The short wave radiation is absorbed by furniture and carpets etc. and then transferred to long wave energy in the form of heat. In winter time the heat energy radiating from these objects tries to escape through the window the weakest point. The Low E glass reflects the heat back internally keeping the room warm reducing heating costs.
In summer time it’s the opposite. Its warmer outside and the heat try to radiate inside through the windows. Again the Low E glass reflects the heat outwards reducing the effects of solar heat gain and reducing cooling costs.
Glazing Options for All Door Types
Patio doors tend to be quite large and therefore thermal efficiency and safety are important considerations.
Glass used for thermal efficiency
Low-E (low emissivity) glass widely used in double glazing units is coated to filter out long wave radiation from the sun i.e. infrared heat but will allow through short wave radiation i.e. visible light. The short wave radiation is absorbed by furniture and carpets etc. and then transferred to long wave energy in the form of heat. In winter time the heat energy radiating from these objects tries to escape through the window the weakest point. The Low E glass reflects the heat back internally keeping the room warm reducing heating costs.
In summer time it’s the opposite. Its warmer outside and the heat try to radiate inside through the windows. Again the Low E glass reflects the heat outwards reducing the effects of solar heat gain and reducing cooling costs.
Radiation deflection internally and externally
Types of safety glass
Laminated Safety Glass – consists of a sandwich of two panes of glass with a plastic membrane in between. If broken the integrity of the glass is held by the plastic layer thus reducing the risk of injury.
Toughened (Tempered) Glass – is stronger than standard glass due to the tempering process making it resistant to thermal stress and impact. If broken the glass shatters into small blunt pieces reducing the injury risk.
Toughened glass is used when large panels are required as it is lighter than laminated type and less expensive.
After you install your patio doors you may want to upgrade your wooden garage door. Wooden garage doors are an excellant choice.