Aluminium sliding patio doors are a stylish, thermally efficient and practical exterior entranceway option for modern homes. Compared to French or bi-fold doors that require free floor space around the doors for opening, sliding doors offer minimal obstruction and offer plenty of flexibility when it comes to the layout of a room or patio.
In this article, we'll take a look at the benefits of external aluminium sliding doors for your patio area and outline the considerations you should make before buying. Click on one of the links below to jump to that section:
- Aluminium sliding patio door options
- Benefits of aluminium sliding patio doors
- Considerations when choosing aluminium sliding patio doors
- Frequently asked questions
Aluminium sliding door options
There are currently two types of Origin Sliding Door available: the OS-20 Artisan Slider and the OS- 29/OS-44/OS-77 Patio Slider. Both models are made from premium aluminium frames and have been designed mostly for external use, making them a durable and stylish choice for patio doors (though they can be used internally).
The OS-20 Artisan Slider has exceptionally slim 20mm frames which makes it an aesthetically stunning option. In order to achieve these minimal sightlines with large expanses of glass, the premium grade aluminium frames are structurally bonded with the glass panels. This makes the OS- 20 sliding door system incredibly secure and thermally efficient as well as beautiful.
With sightlines of 29mm, 44mm and 77mm, the OS-29, OS-44 and OS-77 Patio Sliders also boast some of the slimmest door systems available in the UK. These are incredibly practical and versatile options and are suitable for entranceways as small as 1.8m and as big as 11.8m.
All Origin Sliding Doors offer lots of choice when it comes to fixed and sliding sashes and opening direction. Plus, they're available in over 150 RAL colours to help you choose a finish that fits in perfectly with your unique style.
Benefits of aluminium sliding patio doors
High-quality aluminium sliding doors are thermally broken in order to minimise heat loss and regulate temperature. This means they save on heating costs and won't make a room too hot during summer or too cold during the winter. Triple glazing can further improve the thermal efficiency of a sliding door system.
Premium grade aluminium and toughened glass allow aluminium patio doors to be incredibly safe and secure. Plus, they're strong and durable in comparison to many other external door materials such as uPVC or wood.
A major benefit of sliding doors is their ability to provide easy access between indoor and outdoor areas. They take up minimal space around the door and the sliding mechanism makes them easy to open. Aluminium is a very lightweight material, so users don't require a lot of strength to slide the doors open or closed.
Finally, aluminium doors are very versatile when it comes to configuration. You can have anything from two to six panels, opt for all doors to slide or have some fixed, and choose from a wide range of colour options.
Considerations when choosing aluminium sliding patio doors
Size and amount of panels
Aluminium sliding doors can have a minimum of two panels and a maximum of six. If you have an exceptionally large entranceway and are looking for very large panels, you'll need to choose a door system that can cater to this such as the OS-20 Artisan Slider. The number of panels you choose will not only impact the final aesthetic of the door, but also how heavy each panel is and how easy the door is to open.
Material
The frames of your sliding patio doors should be durable enough to withstand the effects of all types of weather conditions and regular use, but also lightweight to allow for easy opening and closing. Origin Sliding Doors are bespoke and the frames are made from premium aluminium that is strong and capable of accommodating large glass panels, helping let in more natural light and creating a more seamless entryway. You can compare aluminium against other sliding door materials in this guide.
Installation
It's important to choose an installer who is familiar with the brand of aluminium doors you purchase to ensure the system is safely and correctly installed. When it comes to Origin Sliding Doors, you can find your local Premium Partner installer on our website.
Colour
With 150 RAL colours to choose from, the sky is the limit when it comes to choosing a colour for your sliding patio doors. The colour you choose will impact both the interior and exterior style of your property. Our Colour Guide has more information on choosing the perfect frame colour.
Locks and handles
There are several handle and lock options available for sliding doors, with some allowing access only from inside which offers excellent security. However, this is not ideal if you plan on using your patio doors as the main entranceway to your property. You can read about aluminium sliding door locks and handles in this guide.
Room and patio use
Sliding doors don't take up space around the entranceway, which gives you plenty of flexibility when planning the layout of your patio area or the adjoining space inside your home. However, you should bear these things in mind when choosing the door configuration. Which side should the static panel be on? Should all panels slide open or just one? Would you prefer to have fewer large panels or multiple slimmer panels? The way you use a space and the frequency you plan to open and close the doors will affect your decisions.
Frequently asked questions
How do sliding doors compare to bi-fold doors?
Bi-fold doors fold back on themselves in a concertina, which allows them to open up an entire entranceway, while sliding doors slide back against each other, leaving one pane always static. You can learn more about the differences between them in the guide Sliding Doors vs Bi-fold Doors.
How do sliding doors compare to French doors?
French doors open inwards or outwards on a hinge, which gives them a traditional style, but means they take up floor space around them. Sliding doors make for a great space-saving alternative. There is more information in the guide Sliding Doors vs French Doors .
How do inline sliding doors compare to lift and slide doors?
Lift and slide doors have a handle mechanism that allows them to be locked in position when open. Sliding doors do not have this feature. This means that lift and slide doors can safely accommodate much heavier panels. To understand the differences in more detail, be sure to read the guide Inline Sliding Doors vs Lift and Slide Doors.