Sliding doors are an excellent way of bringing the outdoors in and making the most of your surroundings. They are a popular choice for home extensions or being u sed in a conservatory because of the expansive views and space-saving benefits they offer. However, there are several types of patio door systems to choose from.
In this guide, we take a look at the factors to consider when choosing what type of patio door to use for your extension and when sliding doors may be ideal. We also compare Origin Patio Doors to help you choose the right option for you.
In this guide:
Find out about the key benefits of sliding doors and some popular alternatives.
Understand what to prioritise when deciding on a patio door type.
Read what factors to consider when choosing a type of patio door for your extension.
Find out more about the bespoke sliding doors we offer and the key benefits of each option.
What are the best doors for extensions? Comparing bifolds, sliding and French doors
The ideal door for you will depend on your living space, budget, needs and aesthetic preferences. The most common options are sliding, bifolding doors or French doors. Explore a brief overview of each option and compare their suitability for home extensions.
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Sliding doors
Sliding doors are easily one of the most flexible options in terms of both your aesthetic and practical needs. With only a minimal amount of visible profile, they provide beautiful, uninterrupted views, and maximise natural light.
Sliding doors also help you to make the most of your new space. As they don’t hinge inwards or outwards, they are a perfect option if you have limited room. Another key benefit of sliding doors is the flexible range of door panel configuration options available – sliding doors can suit a wide range of openings (up to 13m). You can find out more about the sliding door configuration options by talking to an installer.
Bifold Doors
Unlike sliding door systems, bifolds concertina open and the panels stack away perpendicular to the track. This means that they need more space than sliders to open and fold. This option still offers fantastic views of the outdoors and unrivalled garden access. Each individual door panel tends to be narrower compared with sliding door sashes, and this in turn creates a higher frame-to-glass ratio. You can also configure your bifold doors in many different ways to suit your household.
Read the full comparison of bifold doors vs sliding doors
French Doors
French doors – unless used with fixed frames on either side – tend to only be two-door configurations, which means they’re mostly suitable for smaller apertures. They also don’t offer as much flexibility with the opening and require more space for the doors to open into. They can be made to open inwards or outwards, but both individual doors will hinge, with one going to the left and one going to the right. They are a classic option that can greatly enhance your home’s atmosphere. A French door is often the most affordable patio door.
Read the full comparison of sliding doors vs French doors
Are sliding doors the right option for your extension?
Find your local installer today to bring your vision to life
Choosing the right patio door for your extension is a key decision that will affect the usability and look of your indoor and outdoor space. Sliding doors may be the right option for you if any of the following apply:
- You want to save space
Unlike French or bifolding doors, both of which have to open inwards or outwards and therefore take up more room, sliding doors don’t require any extra space. By sliding neatly in front of each other, the doors are completely non-invasive.
- You’re looking for ultra-slim sightlines
Sliding doors allow for sightlines as slim as 29mm. With a minimal amount of visible profile, it keeps the view of your landscape as clear as possible.
Are you looking for a sliding patio door with 29mm sightlines? Find out more about our OS29+ Sliding Door here.
You want large glass panels and lots of natural light
Sliding doors often have the largest maximum individual door sizes and therefore offer the most prominent glass area. Some systems are able to offer maximum individual door sizes as wide as 2.2m and as high as 2.6m, ensuring an abundance of natural light. With bi-fold or French door designs where maximum sizes are not as large, the configuration would need to be made up of more sashes which increases the amount of profile on sight.
You want excellent views when the doors are closed
It’s essential that your patio doors provide visual impact when open and closed. Sliding doors are the least intrusive as there are often less doors required to fill the aperture compared to French or bifold doors. This creates a glass wall effect and offers the best views when closed. If your doors will be closed for the majority of the year, it is worth considering sliding doors.
You can find out more about how sliding doors compare to bi-fold doors and French doors here.
Accessibility considerations with sliding doors for extensions
Building an annex or extending your property is the ideal solution if you want to expand the family, invite guests or accommodate senior family members. In that case, safety and accessibility are essential.
Sliding doors can offer generous access to the outdoors, and installers can recess the track into the floor to offer a seamless wheelchair-safe transition. Finally, Origin’s OS29+ Sliding Door features a concealed track, for an even more seamless look.
Please discuss flush thresholds with your installer as they will need to accommodate for drainage and requirements – find your local installer
Retro-fitting a sliding patio door into an extension
It’s best to choose the right patio door the first time around when building an extension. However, if you need to replace your existing patio door for a more practical, modern design or a more thermally efficient option, Origin manufactures sliding doors completely bespoke to your space.
Each aluminium door set is made to fit your specific opening, so you won’t have to worry about filling space or losing size. For the most energy-efficient sliding doors, consider the OS29+ Sliding Door. This offers exceptional energy efficiency and has a market-leading thermal performance. Moreover, the slim sightlines provide a modern appeal, and the configurations can be more practical if you don’t have enough space for hinged door systems.
Speak to your local installer about replacing existing exterior doors with a modern Sliding Door design from Origin.
Origin bespoke Sliding Doors
Origin currently offers three different sightline options: 29mm, 44mm, and 77mm, all of which provide panoramic landscape views with striking aluminium frames. The strength and durability of the premium-quality aluminium make the doors thermally efficient, weatherproof, and highly resistant to warping and corrosion. In addition, Origin’s sliding door security is second-to-none.
They can be specified in up to 6-door configurations, and from there, selecting your handle, RAL colour or adding Soho-inspired glazing bars are several ways to make your doors truly unique.
Finally, Origin’s latest sliding door design can achieve the lowest U-Values on the aluminium market (as low as 0.78W/m2K), helping you to minimise heat loss. Explore Origin Sliding Doors, which come with a guarantee of up to 20 years.
Home Renovations with Sliding Doors - Ideas and Inspiration
View the sliding door case study framing a spectacular Devon coastal view
View the sliding door case study, transforming this characterful British property
Explore this stunning beach house renovation with Origin Sliding Doors
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best material for a sliding glass door?
Due to the large panes of glass, it’s important to opt for a durable material such as aluminium. Aluminium is extremely strong while being lightweight, helping its ease of operation. The robust material also helps achieve slim sightlines for a more uninterrupted view of the outdoors compared to generic uPVC options.
Compare aluminium sliding doors to other materials
What are the building regulations for installing sliding glass doors in an extension?
There are several building regulations to consider before having a sliding door installed. Firstly, it must have insulation (with a U-Value of 1.4W/m2K or lower). The doors should also be safe and comply to PAS 24 regulations. Finally, if your sliding doors are replacing existing doors or windows, adequate ventilation will be required, such as the addition of trickle vents.
Are sliding glass doors energy efficient?
Yes, Origin Sliding Doors can achieve market-leading U-Values as low as 0.78W/m2K. Innovative thermal breaks, weathertight seals and triple glazing all help to minimise the transfer of heat between the indoors and outdoors.