External sliding doors are an excellent space-saving option for your home. Unlike traditional doors, they don't need extra room around them to open and close. There are a few sliding doors on the market, but it's essential to choose a door that will fit your needs and requirements.
With strong yet lightweight aluminium frames, Origin Sliding Doors are designed to last. They deliver exceptional thermal efficiency, are weatherproof with a durable powder coating, and are extremely safe, thanks to their high-security locking mechanisms. Not only do they offer tangible benefits to your home, but they also offer a timeless aesthetic to both the interior and exterior of your property.
This guide will discuss the particular benefits and considerations of installing sliding doors in your kitchen. This is an ideal space for this type of modern patio door system, as sliders can provide seamless access to and from the kitchen to the outside while also creating even more space if you've recently had a kitchen extension. Click on one of the links below to jump to that section:
- When to choose a sliding patio door system for your kitchen
- Sliding door options available
- Considerations when choosing sliding patio doors for your kitchen
- Frequently asked questions
When to choose a sliding patio door system for your kitchen
No matter what size your kitchen is, maximising space is always a priority, especially if you have active young children or elderly relatives. By using sliding doors that glide to the side rather than opening inwards or outwards like bi-fold doors, you can create more space and make your kitchen feel bigger. This also increases safety by preventing the door from potentially hitting someone when it opens.
Aluminium sliding doors are also perfect for anyone who wants to tailor their door system to suit their personal tastes and the overall look of their kitchen or home in general. Origin Sliding Doors are completely bespoke, allowing you to choose from a range of stylish colours and handle options.
Another important consideration is whether you think your kitchen would benefit from more natural light. With large panels of glass, beautiful natural light will flood into your room, enhancing the look of your kitchen.
Sliding door options available
OS-20 Artisan Slider
The OS-20 Artisan Slider delivers a stunning mix of durable functionality and aesthetic beauty. The aluminium frames are available in over 150 scratch-resistant colour options including Jet Black, Hipca White and Anthracite Grey.
With an ultra-slim sightline of only 20mm, the OS-20 offers less frame and more view, allowing you to gaze at your garden or keep a watchful eye on your children playing outside. This exceptionally slim sightline is very aesthetically pleasing and will really give your kitchen a style injection.
Structurally bonded with premium low e-toughened glass, it offers the most stringent safety features to prevent accidents, and you can be reassured that these glass and aluminium doors will last thanks to their durable powder coating and guarantee of up to 10 years (depending on where they are installed).
This door is available in a range of configurations designed in a bespoke style to suit your wishes. Depending on the size of your door, you can choose up to six panels up, which can fill apertures of over 13m. Flush faced lever handles can be coordinated with your patio doors to give a streamlined style that leaves your neighbours envious.
OS-29/OS-44/OS-77 Patio Sliders
Using premium grade aluminium, the OS-29, OS-44 and OS-77 Patio Sliders offers three sightline options—29mm, 44mm and 77mm respectively. The OS-29 is one the slimmest semi-dry glazed systems available in the UK, and the OS-77 offers wider sightlines which can be perfect if you prefer a more imposing look for your door, whilst the OS-44 offers the best of both worlds.
Like the OS-20, the Patio Sliding Door system can be designed with up to six panels, and can fill apertures over 11m. There is a choice of two different handles on offer for the OS-29, OS-44 and OS-77: the 300mm stainless steel all-in-one handle and the 500mm stainless steel offset bar handle.
Things to consider
When you're choosing your sliding kitchen door, there are several factors to consider:
- The entryway proximity to kitchen units or appliances and the layout of the room. This is important to ensure that the room is organised in a way that will allow for the installation of your new doors
- Doorway size and panel requirements. This will allow your door to be fitted exactly to the size required and allow you to achieve the look you desire.
- The cost of your new doors and how much you want to spend. Setting your budget before you begin allows your door consultant to offer you the options that are in your price range.
- Installation. You can find your local installer to ensure a professional finish.
- Colour. With over 150 RAL colours to choose from, finding the right shade for your door frames should be no snap decision. You can talk through your colour options you’re your chosen installation partner.
- Locks and handles. When choosing the right sliding door system for your kitchen, you should also consider which locks and handles are most appropriate for you in terms of safety, security and design.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: vinyl or aluminium sliding doors?
Both uPVC and aluminium doors have their benefits, but the most important thing is choosing the door that suits you the best. Origin's aluminium doors are powder-coated, weather-resistant, and have excellent thermal efficiency, making them an optimum choice. You can find more information about why aluminium doors can really be a great addition to your home in our guide here.
What are sliding door track systems?
The sliding door track system is the running gear or trolley system that allows the doors to move from side to side. These robust systems have in-built features to make your life easier, such as weighted bearings to keep the door in place. The track is the threshold or channel that the doors sit within. There are two track options available—double and triple—and these can both be recessed into your floor if necessary. The track is dependent on the configuration that has been chosen.
For further information, read our essential guide to sliding door track systems.
What are the different sliding door panel sizes?
Different systems will offer different minimum and maximum panel sizes. These can be specified to suit both your practical and style requirements. The doors are bespoke and panel sizing will depend on the desired look you wish to achieve as well as the sliding door system you have chosen.