The Invisoglide Sliding Door by Smart Systems finally brings a 20mm and 26mm slim mullion bonded door into Smart’s sliding door collection. Because this door is a Smart product, it will sell well and bring a mid-range bonded door into the popular sliding door space. Whilst late to the Slimline Party, it’s surprising the company couldn’t iron out the features we know homeowners don’t like, such as the excessive mullion projection into the room. That said, it’s not that different to Cortizo and other similarly designed doors.
In preparing this review, we studied the fabrication and technical manuals and saw the product installed in Bristol and Cheltenham and the Smart Systems showroom in Yatton.
Invisoglide Sliding Doors
Smart Systems introduces an ultra slim bonded sliding door into their collection, that is well designed, easy to fabricate, not that hard to fix and is bound to be a good seller. The downside is those oversized projecting mullions which could have been engineered out, just like comparable products from Sunflex and Cortizo.
3.5
Pros
- Widely available and competitively priced.
- Looks attractive face on.
- Slides very smoothly and quietly.
Cons
- Those projecting mullions are imposing.
- Make sure you buy it from good manufacturers and installers.
- No fixed or open corner option.
- Not yet security tested.
What is the Invisoglide Sliding Door?
Invisoglide is Smart Systems’ latest addition to their well-established Visoglide Plus sliding door range. Designed for minimal sightlines and near-invisible framing, Invisoglide features a bonded glazing system and the option to conceal the outer frame within the aperture fully.
The result is a sleek, modern sliding door system that maximises glass area, offering near-uninterrupted views and a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Overall, this is a lovely-looking sliding door with attractive styling, slim aluminium frames, attractive handles, and a quality feel when sliding the panels.
Design and Aesthetics
Invisoglide is engineered for minimalism, with its ultra-slim aluminium profiles and fully concealed outer frame creating an almost frameless appearance. The door system offers two interlock options—20mm or 26mm—both significantly slimmer than the standard Visoglide doors, which have 35mm and 83mm interlocks.
One of the defining features of Invisoglide is the ability to recess all four sides of the outer frame, further enhancing the frameless effect. This results in a highly contemporary aesthetic with larger glass panels, allowing maximum natural light into a space.
This new sliding door only comes in a two, three or four panel configuration. No fixed or open-corner options are available.
A key feature of Invisoglide is its bonded glazing system, which securely bonds the glass to the frame using a high-quality, single-component adhesive. This process eliminates the need for traditional mechanical fixings, resulting in a more seamless, uninterrupted aesthetic. Additionally, the glass is assembled within the sashes, ensuring a high level of structural integrity. The bonding process not only enhances security by reinforcing the glass-to-frame connection, but also allows for ultra-slim profiles, contributing to the minimalist design that makes Invisoglide an attractive choice.
Where we think Smarts have been lazy on this door is the substantial projecting mullions. Any 20mm bonded door does need to have its strength and integrity and, just like Coritzo sliding doors this mullion needs to project inside and outside.
Why they’ve been lazy is that versions of the original Visoglide door have had this projection designed out, so the door looks the same viewed from any angle. We know of several manufacturers using Smarts profiles that have all created 20mm mullion doors without this now unsightly projection, with Smarts often extruding their profiles as well. So why they’d not taken advantage of this for this new door is surprising. But overall, Invisolglide remains a highly attractive door if you can forgit the ugly detail at the top and bottom of the interlock.
While Invisoglide offers both 20mm and 26mm interlock options, it is essential to understand that not all door sizes can support the 20mm interlock. The 20mm option is only available for specific sizes, as larger doors require the stronger 26mm interlock to ensure structural stability and reduce deflection under wind loads. Buyers should consult with their suppliers to determine if their preferred door configuration can accommodate the slimmer interlock or whether, the stronger 26mm version is required for durability.
Smarts are generally relatively staid when it comes to their handle styles, but Invisoglide comes with some attractive sliding door handles.
The handle options offer internal and external pull handles and also those with one side-only fixing, where you don’t need one outside. There are also internal and external handles, with a recess giving an improved grip.
Proper drainage is crucial for the long-term performance of any sliding door system, especially one with minimal sightlines like Invisoglide. Smart Systems recommends that all profiles are adequately drained and ventilated to prevent water buildup and ensure optimal weather protection.
As you’d expect from a modern sliding door, this latest model provides the option for a completely recessed track and integrates with the Aquabocci R47 threshold drainage system, a high-performance drainage solution that prevents water ingress while maintaining a sleek, minimalist appearance, effective water management and weather protection.
Proper drainage also improves thermal performance by preventing moisture accumulation within the frame, which could impact insulation levels.
Invisoglide incorporates a bonded glazing system, where the sliding sashes are securely bonded using a high-quality, single-component adhesive. This process enhances structural integrity while allowing the use of slimmer profiles.
Glazing is limited to 32mm thickness, ensuring compatibility with high-performance double glazing while maintaining the system’s slim design. No triple glazed option is available. The sliding mechanism has been upgraded with high-quality rollers, ensuring smooth and effortless operation. These rollers enhance durability and reliability, making the door easy to use. And indeed, in trying out the door in the Smart Systems Showroom, the sliding action is light, smooth, near-silent and easy. We liked it a lot.
Technical Information
Full technical information is available on the Smart Systems Website. As this is marketed as an ultra slim door, here are the key dimensions and sightlines to help you compare with other sliding doors. Or you can get in touch with us for instant advice on sightlines and comparable products.
Maximum sash height: 2500mm
Minimum sash size
Double track depth: 121mm front to back.
Triple track depth: 183mm front to back.
Side frames: 116mm to glass line
Bottom rail on standard cill: 102mm
Central interlock depth: 208mm (26mm option) or 182mm (20mm option)
Meeting doors in a four panel design, 141mm
The interlock thickness chosen depends on the door size, as the 20mm interlock may not be available for all configurations due to structural requirements.
Security and Energy Efficiency
Invisoglide uses the highly secure BT lock by Sobinco, which is key-operated, and allows the choice of modern raised or flush pull handles. Locking and unlocking the doors is easy, with the Sobinco lock feeling solid, reassuring and of high quality.
Security is a key consideration for any sliding door and this is a well-designed and secure door. However, according to Smart Systems’ technical manual, Invisoglide has not yet been tested to PAS 24:2016 and this will make the door unsuitable right now for new build. While the bonded glazing system and multipoint locking mechanism enhance security, those requiring full PAS 24 compliance should consider alternative Smart Systems or other products. You can also keep an eye out for official test results. This does not mean the door lacks security features, but prospective buyers should be aware that it does not currently carry this accreditation.
It also features the ACCY3030NKS1 1-star Europrofile cylinder, offering protection against bumping, picking, screwing, and drilling. For additional security, homeowners can opt for keyed-alike cylinders when installing multiple sets of doors or choose a thumb-turn internal locking option. The cylinder provided as standard with the door is quite low-spec, so expect other manufacturers to upgrade it.
U-value: 1.4W/m²K with 1.0W/m²K centre pane
Acoustic insulation: Up to 41dB
Air permeability: Class 4
Water tightness: Class 7A
Wind resistance: Class C5
How Much Does Invisoglide Cost?
Invisoglide costs around £10800, including VAT and fitting for a 4m three panel set. A two-panel 2.5m set will cost around £6500, including VAT and fitting.
As always, bear in mind prices depend on the chosen configuration, glazing options, and colour finishes. Expect pricing to be higher than standard Visoglide doors due to the premium bonded glazing system and ultra-slim profiles.
Other Products to Compare with Invisoglide
There is no question that this new sliding door, extruded, painted, supplied and supported by Smart Systems and their huge fabricator/installer network in the UK, will sell well. If you are trying to compare products, the below should be priced and considered alongside this door.
- AS-20 Slimline doors, get in touch for more information.
- GS20 and GS15 sliding doors, better overall.
- Schüco ASE 51PD
- AluK Infinium.
- Standard Cortizo Cor-Vision
More information and where to view and buy Invisoglide Sliding Doors
To see Invisoglide doors in action, you can contact us for more information on local Smart systems showrooms or an authorised installer with display models. As always, with all sliding patio doors, you must see the doors in person and try them out. The best way to understand the ultra-slim design and smooth sliding operation is to experience it in person.
Invisoglide is essential to Smart Systems because a bonded 20mm door was missing from the overall product portfolio. We think this door could have been more refined, given Smarts already has experience with some manufacturers re-engineering Smarts products and making them visually better.
Overall, this door looks nice, slides really well and comes from the UK’s biggest aluminium brand and systems company. Be sure to use an installer with experience in fitting bonded sliding doors and, even more importantly, that can fit these so you get the proper weather protection at the track. The bonded sliding door first came to the UK around 2017, and eight years later, it is incredibly popular. Whilst there are better-looking, better-made, and better-designed bonded doors on the market now, these are also much more expensive. Invisoglide is a up to date sliding door, moves well, looks stylish, the handles are attractive and this door comes recommended.
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