Slimline sliding doors are the latest generation of thin sliding doors with minimal sight lines, a frameless appearance, and a high-tech design. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about slimline sliding doors.
What are slimline sliding doors?
Slimline sliding doors in aluminium are at the high end of the market. They are designed to create a floor-to-ceiling minimalist door with the minimum amount of a visible frame. The stand-out feature of slimline sliding doors is their aesthetic appeal.
You can expect a visible sight line of aluminium sliding doors between the glass panels starting at just 20mm. The best conventional aluminium sliding patio doors can accommodate glass panels of about nine square metres; the slimline sliding doors can easily accept glass panels above twelve square metres.
What is the difference between aluminium slimline sliding doors and regular sliding doors?
The sophisticated slimline sliding door systems do not work like traditional doors. In a conventional door, the aluminium frame is the most important component, whereas in slimline sliding doors, it is the glass which is self-supporting. In a conventional door, glass is placed in the frame and simply made secure with beads and gaskets. In a slimline sliding door, however, it is structurally bonded to the frame, like high-rise facade glazing.
Moreover, the fact that most systems are embedded in the walls provides an extra layer of protection. This concealed fixing method also offers a unique advantage that regular sliding doors lack -the ability to create large panes of glass. For instance, products like the Panoramah! sliding door can be manufactured as one sliding door panel of up to 27 square metres, a feat that traditional doors cannot achieve.
How much do slimline sliding doors cost?
Aluminium slimline sliding doors are more expensive than conventional sliding doors. You can expect to pay approximately £10,000 for a two-panel sliding door set, double that of a standard door. We have seen quotations for corner door assemblies having two five-metre wide sliding doors at 2.5 metres high, meeting in the corner at more than £30,000 supplied and fitted.
As expensive as these doors are, it’s important to understand why they cost more. Configuring, making, transporting, fitting, glass handling and after-sales all add to the price. What you get for this price is one of the most beautiful aluminium sliding doors on the market with top-end engineering. This is architectural glazing, not double glazing.
Are slimline sliding doors secure?
Yes. All the components used in these doors are the best of their kind, providing superior locking and security. The glass is also safety glass, either toughened or laminated.
Why do many slimline sliding doors have a full height handle?
Any large door must be designed to resist wind loading and deflection. They must also provide structural integrity. While many systems market the very thin interlock, this profile needs to be thin but strong and provide protection for the door. The best way to achieve this is to be minimalist when viewed from the front but deeper for strength.
You will frequently see these doors with deep sections designed to act as a convenient method of pulling the doors open and closed. This is the full-height handle, which is also the interlock section.
How are slimline sliding doors fitted?
Depending on their design, there are several methods of installing these doors. You can choose two-panel doors or systems with virtually no limit on the number of sliding panels possible. Open-corner sliding doors are also an option.
One of the most popular design methods is recessing the outer frame into the wall, creating the frameless sliding wall that makes these doors so popular with architects.
Can slimline sliding doors have a low threshold?
A conventional sliding door has a high door track, which means you can’t achieve the low threshold.
Slimline sliding doors can achieve a flush floor level between inside and out, making them a low trip hazard and perfect for mobility issues and for those looking for a completely seamless look and flow between inside and outside.
How important is the glass in slimline sliding doors?
With so much glass in a sliding door, the type of glass specification is as important as the frame. As standard, you can expect toughened or laminated glass with warm edge spacer bars, argon or krypton gas, low-emissivity coatings and quality construction.
There are options to upgrade the glass to units with integral blinds, solar control glass, reflective glass or acoustic glazing.
Are slimline sliding doors weather resistant?
Manufacturers and installers of quality sliding doors will happily demonstrate their products’ air, wind, and water resistance and provide thermal test reports. Because so much glass is used in these products, low U-Values come as standard. Ask to see test reports for the product.
What colours are available with sliding doors?
Like all aluminium products, you can choose from over 150 RAL colours, different colours inside and out, and metallic finishes.
Because the providers of slimline sliding doors are specialised companies, other finishes are also available. One of these is anodised colours which are, by far, the best choice for these types of doors.
Where can I buy slimline sliding doors?
The installation of slimline sliding doors is more complicated than that of regular doors. The providers of these doors are highly specialised companies with extensive training in making, fitting and handling these technically advanced doors. The installer must be trained and have specialist equipment, a track record and after-sales service.
If you are interested in matching slimline windows, take a look our slimline aluminium window article.
Contact us, and we can help you source.
Further reading
- Find out all you need to know about slimline sliding patio doors
- What are the slimmest aluminium doors?
- What are the building regulations for doors and windows?
- Building regulations planning portal website for doors and windows
- Architectural glazing
