The ASE 51 PD Panoramic Sliding Door brings the outstanding Schüco brand name at a more affordable price point. This new sliding door looks fantastic, is very well designed, slides effortlessly and has the slim sightlines today’s customers expect. With its pleasing minimalist design, you also get the legendary Schüco performance and reliability. Ultra-slim 32mm interlocks and sleek 45mm outer frame add to it’s appeal.
Ideal for both residential and commercial applications, this new sliding door system is as versatile as it is elegant. Concealed frame options, high-quality hardware, various threshold configurations and double or triple glazed.
In producing this review, we’ve seen the window being made at London manufacturers, at the Schüco showroom in Milton Keynes, and in-situ in installer showrooms. We’ve also seen the window in-situ in residential property.
Schüco ASE 51 PD Sliding Door
The best thing about the Schüco ASE 51 PD sliding door is that it brings the renowned Schüco design, engineering, quality and brand name at a very impressive price point. It's styling won't be for everyone, but we've seen the door up close and it looks fantastic. The best way to appreciate this door is to go see it.
4
Pros
- The Schüco name at a great price.
- Contemporary styling throughout.
- Good U-Values with the right glass specification.
- The handle.
Cons
- Not easy to get to view.
- The projecting mullion/interlock.
- The handle.
- No triple track or three panel option.
What are Schüco ASE 51 PD Sliding Doors?
The Schüco ASE 51 PD (Aluminium Sliding Element 51 mm Panorama Design) sliding doors are a latest generation sliding door by Schuco, designed as a contemporary patio door, technically excellent and suitable for both residential or light commercial applications.
This particular model we understand was designed by Schüco Italy, for their market and it’s been brought into the UK as an entry-level Schüco sliding door. Now, whilst no Schüco product can ever be described as ‘entry level’, we are told that the pricing of this door is so good, that it is on a par with more mid-range doors.
Having any Schüco door or window in your home, is the same as having the best in German cars, kitchens and appliances. You are getting the Schüco name, engineering, quality, reputation. We can tell you from experience, Schüco products last and last.
These new sliding doors come in two or four panel designs and have double tracks only. Whilst the three panel and triple track option, allowing three panel door to have the left or right opening, would be nice to have, there are other Schüco sliding doors that can accommodate you here. It’s worth remembering this a simpler patio door solution and the entry-level product. So don’t expect all the bells and whistles you get with the upper-level Schüco doors.
Schüco ASE 51 PD Design and Aesthetics
The Schüco ASE 51 PD sliding doors are characterised by their minimalist design and pleasing frame dimensions. These are not the slimmest sliding doors on the market, but it is easy to get too focused on bonded doors with a 20mm sightline and not realise the appeal of doors with a slightly thicker overall appearance.
A bonded door is made in the factory around the glass. Schüco ASE 51 PD sliding doors are also made around the glass, but without the complexity of structural bonding. In our view, there is no need these days to have a non-bonded door that is made around the glass, but this is the design choice of Schuco.
Non-bonded doors will be slimpler to service in years to come and especially as properties change hands. So if you’re fortunate enough to buy a property with these doors whether out of warranty or not, servicing Schüco sliding doors is remarkably easy. Schüco were the first aluminium system company to introduce a way to fully trace their products meaning parts and servicing is available long into the future.
Featuring a 32mm centre mullion and a slim 45mm outer frame that can be concealed within the building’s structure, these doors like other doors at double the maximum light and visibility, creating a seamless connection between the interior and exterior. The flat “0 Level” threshold ensures easy access and the fully integrated frame adds to the door’s elegance and functionality.
For the manufacturer, these doors are simpler to make and for the installer easy to adjust without having to lift off the sliding panels. These doors come with roller hardware and trolley systems designed to make the doors smooth and easy to slide even if the structural opening is uneven. We’ve opened and closed these doors many times and they do indeed slide very well indeed, if a little let down (for us at least) by the handle.
The newly designed handle allows the sash to be unlocked with just a 20° turn, enhancing the natural ergonomic movement of the hand, and making these doors easy to open, close and lock.
When we viewed the product at the Schüco Milton Keynes showroom, the main handle did feel rather loose and unlike the quality you get with Schüco hardware usually. This is a downside comparing how handles feel on their other sliding door products.
Technical Information
Full technical specifications are available on the Schüco website, but to summarise, the Schüco ASE 51 PD sliding doors have the following sightlines, door sizes and security, weather and performance:
Dimensions and sightlines
- Maximum width: 2900 mm
- Maximum height: 2750 mm
- Minimum vent width: 500 mm
- Minimum vent height: 1500 mm
- Width of vent frame: 51 mm
- Total basic depth: 157 mm
- Minimum face width of mullion: 32 mm
- Minimum face width of meeting stile: 96 mm
Performance
- Uw value: 1.3 W/(m²·K)
- Max. sound reduction index: 41 dB(A)
- Watertightness: Class 9A
- Air permeability: Class 4
- Wind load resistance: Class C3
- Burglar resistance: Up to RC 2
- Operating type: Manual
- Max. vent weight: 400 kg
- Max. glass/panel thickness: 42 mm
These specifications ensure that the Schüco ASE 51 PD sliding doors meet high performance and reliability standards, making them a robust choice for various applications.
Security and Energy Efficiency
The Schüco ASE 51 PD sliding doors offer robust security and excellent energy efficiency. The door’s locking mechanism is elegantly integrated within the door frame, providing enhanced security. The Schüco ASE 51 PD sliding door, with its RC2 security rating, provides reliable protection for residential properties. RC2-rated doors are designed to withstand forced entry for at least 3 minutes using tools like screwdrivers or pliers, striking a balance between robust security and affordability for everyday use.
Higher RC classifications cater to increasing security needs. RC1 offers basic protection against physical force, suitable for low-risk areas. RC3 resists more determined attacks with heavier tools like crowbars for up to 5 minutes, making it ideal for urban homes or moderate-risk commercial spaces. RC4 to RC6 provide advanced levels of protection, withstanding attacks using powerful tools like hammers, drills, and grinders for extended periods, and are typically used for high-value properties, sensitive facilities, or high-security installations such as banks. While these higher ratings are reserved for specialized needs, RC2 is an excellent choice for most residential applications, offering peace of mind without overengineering. Our advice with sliding doors is always to ask these with laminated glass instead of toughened.
The advanced thermal performance with a Uw value of 1.3 W/(m²·K) ensures energy efficiency, helping to maintain optimal indoor temperatures and reduce energy costs. These doors therefore meet current Building Regulations.
How Much Do Schüco ASE 51 PD Sliding Doors Cost?
These doors are very new so contact us now for more information and local Schüco manufacturers or installers that can help with trade supply only or prices for the full supply and installation prices. Starting prices for these doors for a standard 2.1 x 2.1m two-panel model start at £5600 including VAT and fitting.
Other Products to Compare with Schüco ASE 51 PD
Whilst it is possible to provide comparable products to compare. It’s the Schüco brand name that elevates these doors over and above other brands. Our choices as a comparison would be:
- Cortizo 4700 or 4900 sliding doors.
- Glideline GS20 sliding doors.
- Alumil sliding doors.
- Cortizo Cor-Vision sliding doors.
More information and where to buy Schüco sliding doors.
The Schüco ASE 51 PD sliding door system is your entry to the incredible Schüco brand, quality, design, engineering and reputation.
It has a good blend of appealing styling, good specifications, elegant aesthetics in our view and good thermal performance.
It is an excellent choice for both new builds and refurbishment projects. The handle won’t be to everyone liking, but the sliding action is excellent and you can tell this is a Schüco door from the moment you seen it and slide it.
It’s getting a Schüco door at a great price that makes the ASE 51 PD compelling.
The best way to appreciate these new sliding doors is to view them at approved manufacturers and installers. Contact us for more information, where to view and for any help with your residential or commercial project.
