External sliding doors are perfect for when you want to open up your home to the garden. Unlike bifold doors and French doors, the sliders do not open out, stack or swing outwards or inwards, so offer space-saving advantages as all the opening takes place on one track.
Larger door panels offer numerous advantages, but it’s important to consider your practical requirements and visual preferences. This article highlights why you should consider large glazing panels for your sliding door and discusses some common misconceptions about expansive glass doors.
In this guide:
How to Configure Large Sliding Glass Doors
Sliding doors are extremely versatile. They’re a fantastic space-saving option for smaller homes because the panels do not swing inwards or outwards but rather, glide to the side and the doors stay on the one track.
They’re also an excellent choice for larger properties – offering expansive openings for enhancing outdoor living and panoramic views. Bigger patio door apertures will require larger sets and there are two ways to achieve that; you can add more door sashes or increase the individual panel size.
- Increasing the panel size increases the glass-to-frame ratio which can enhance the ‘wall of glass’ effect and maximises natural light. This effect is amplified when the doors are manufactured in a premium grade aluminium, as not only does aluminium support larger panes of glass, but sightlines can often be much slimmer compared to sliding doors made from other materials such as uPVC.
- Adding sliding door sashes decreases the weight per sash which is ideal for easy operation, but there will be more sightlines in view. Moreover, the cost increases with the number of sashes as there is more profile being used.
Benefits of Aluminium Sliding Doors with Large Panels
Find your local installer today to bring your vision to life
- Sliding doors with large panels maximise natural light and views of the outdoors. This is the ideal solution for making the most of the scenery, keeping an eye on playing children or for enhancing productivity when working remotely.
- You will need fewer sashes if they’re larger, which can make your project more cost-effective than having extra sashes installed.
- Sliding doors made from aluminium are highly durable. This means they can accommodate large panels of glass while achieving slim sightlines. This further enhances the visual appeal of your living space.
- Large sliding door sets offer expansive openings, which makes it easier to access the garden and move in between spaces. A recessed track also helps achieve a seamless transition without trip hazards. Your installer will be able to work with you to achieve this.
Large sliding door panels vs narrow – what’s the difference?
Ultimately, the decision will come down to your aesthetic preferences and practical requirements. However, it’s generally best to opt for the fewest number of panels needed to fit your patio door opening for maximum visual impact.
The table below compares how choosing more or fewer panels will impact your project.
Fewer large panels
- Greater glass-to-frame ratio
- Achieves the best views of the outdoors
- Maximum natural light
- More cost-effective
- Heavier individual panel weight
More numerous narrow panels
- Lighter individual panel weight for ease of operation
- More sightlines visible (although aluminium offers slimline options)
- Views can be less expansive depending on the sightline option selected
- Project can be more expensive
Considerations when Choosing Sliding Doors with Large Panels
Security
Of course, one of the most important considerations is sliding door security. The safety of your home is a top priority - that’s why our Sliding Doors have multi-point locks and offer a minimum of six points of locking.
Large sliding door panels are made up of much more glass than frame which places a greater emphasis on the safety of the glass itself. Origin Sliding Doors accommodate a wide variety of double or triple-glazing types, so speak to your chosen installer about the glazing options available to you. You may be able to specify laminated, solar-reflective, tinted or acoustic glass for your project.
Frame material
The frame material is also crucial for large panel sliding doors. Not only does it have to be physically strong to support the weight of the glass and ensure security, but it must be light enough for effortless operation.
Aluminium is the ideal material for large sliding door configurations. It has a high strength-to-weight ratio, allowing it to support expansive glazing panels with slim sightlines and smooth operation. Due to its innate strength and durability, doors made from premium aluminium are more durable than the likes of vinyl, engineered timber or composite material.
Why Choose Large Sliding Doors from Origin?
While there are many benefits to large sliding doors, how they are manufactured makes a huge difference. At Origin, we only use the highest quality aluminium and we adhere to exceptionally high British manufacturing standards, which ensures that our sliding doors offer superior performance for many years.
There are three sightline options available, OS-29+ (29mm), OS-44 (44mm) and OS-77 (77mm) which can offer expansive views and add a modern appeal to your home. The OS-29+ features a concealed track that can also be recessed into the floor for a seamless transition into your outdoor space.
Every detail is considered, from security and ease of operation to thermal efficiency and visual appeal. Moreover, the doors are completely bespoke to you. You can get doors in two, three, four and six-sash configurations and custom sizes to ensure the perfect fit.
Speak to your installer about configuring your dream patio door.
Frequently Asked Questions
How important is it to have a trickle vent on sliding doors?
Trickle vents are important as they allow a constant flow of air into your home, but do not compromise security. In certain rooms, they are required on doors and windows for building regulations to ensure a minimum level of ventilation.
What is the most energy-efficient glass sliding door?
The OS-44 and the OS-77 can achieve U-Values as low as 1.3W/m2K. Meanwhile, the OS-29+ can achieve a U-Value of 0.78W/m2K. The lower the sliding door U-Value, the better the system is at resisting heat transfer between the inside and out. Triple-glazed sliding doors will maximise thermal performance.
Get in touch today
To start your journey in getting an Origin Sliding Door custom-made into your home today, find your local installer.
