A conservatory is an ideal solution to link your home with the outdoors. Even in winter, it can help you feel more connected to the garden without being outside. They provide a cosy recreational area that’s protected from the elements and will be drenched in natural light. Currently, many homeowners are sacrificing their conservatories to make room for building extensions or patios… but that’s not the only solution.
Having sliding doors installed in your conservatory helps make the most of the room and further connects your indoor and outdoor spaces. They offer large expanses of glass and provide easy access to your garden area.
Before making the decision to get external glass doors, it can be helpful to review the benefits and possible limitations, compare different door types and explore the customisation options available.
In this guide:
Learn more about the ways in which sliding doors can be installed into your conservatory.
Find out more about the reasons to choose sliding doors for your conservatory.
Find out more about the cons of installing sliding doors in your conservatory.
Explore a summary of features for Sliding, French and bifold doors to help you make a decision for your conservatory.
Explore the advantages of aluminium sliding door frames over uPVC or wood.
Learn about double and triple tracks and why your chosen configuration will dictate what track your sliding doors come with.
Is triple or double glazing best for Sliding doors? Explore Origin’s unbeatable thermal efficiency.
Your installer can talk you through everything from the number of sashes to handle and colour choices.
Read this section to find out more about the sliding door options available from Origin.
How Can Sliding Doors be Used in a Conservatory?
Sliding doors are a fantastic patio door option. They’re excellent space-savers as they open and close on one track (i.e. not folding in or out) and feature large glass panels for maximising the amount of natural light. They can be used in a variety of different ways:
- Connect your home to the conservatory – sliding patio doors are easy to operate and are an excellent way to open up your living space. They allow lots of natural sunlight in and promote good air circulation.
- Connect your conservatory to your garden – with much more glass than French doors, sliding doors are perfect for making the most of your bright and airy conservatory, especially if you prioritise views of your garden. The large expanses of glass also help to make your indoor space feel larger.
- Update the look of your conservatory – instead of demolishing your existing space, installing sliding doors is a great way to modernise it, so you get more use out of the conservatory. Stylish aluminium sliding doors can change the appearance and the functionality of your home, making the space work for your household in the long term.
The Benefits of Sliding Conservatory Doors
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Ultra-secure
A sliding patio door is made up of huge expanses of glass, so it can be easy to assume that it is less secure. However, modern designs give you the peace of mind that they are just as safe as any other type of door.
Origin Sliding Doors are made from the highest-grade aluminium to ensure a practical and visually appealing solution that doesn’t compromise on security. The innate strength of aluminium doors helps them withstand impact and resist damage. Additionally, with the highly engineered multi-point locking systems and tamperproof barrels, your Origin Sliding Doors are there to protect your home and family.
Origin Sliding Patio Doors secure solidly into the jamb or into an adjacent door. The OS-29+ utilises multiple points of locking and a 3-star diamond cylinder barrel, of which is highly resistant against picking, drilling, bumping and snapping. The OS-44 and OS-77 can be upgraded to include this cylinder, but will be provided with a multi-point lock as standard.
Download the latest Sliding Door brochure
Slim Sightlines
The slim design of Origin’s sliding aluminium patio doors maximises natural light in a home. Because it’s highly engineered and manufactured using a premium grade aluminium, they also offer a sleek sightline and aesthetic compared to alternative materials.
If you prioritise an uninterrupted view of your outdoor space year-round, sliding doors can be favourable over double doors or external bifold doors. The other options have their own advantages, so click here to explore the range of styles of external doors available from Origin.
The reason we’re able to manufacture doors with such slim sightlines is due to the natural strength of the aluminium frames. We only use premium quality aluminium which further ensures a strong and durable finish that’s guaranteed to last. We offer three sightline options:
- OS-29+ - this door has the slimmest sightlines of just 29mm, helping contribute to the ‘wall of glass’ effect in your conservatory which provides nearly uninterrupted views of the garden.
- OS-44 – offering a sightline of 44mm, it strikes a balance between ultra-modern and traditional.
- OS-77 – with a sightline of 77mm, this provides a more traditional aesthetic where the doors make a statement.
Choosing the perfect sightline may depend on your current conservatory set-up. To keep the style of your home coherent, some people may opt for the sightline choice that roughly matches the frame size their existing windows or doors. Alternatively, others may opt for the slimmest sightline to help make the doors a design statement.
In terms of colours, this is also another consideration. Matching with existing frames, whether they’re black aluminium or white uPVC, can offer a cohesive look, but some may prefer to make the doors stand out. frames. At Origin, you can choose from over 150 RAL colours.
Thermally Efficient
With triple glazing, the OS-29+ sliding door can achieve U-Values as low as 0.78W/m2K which make them an extremely thermally efficient option for your home.
Every Origin Sliding Door uses polyamide thermal breaks and weatherproof seals, which helps to limit the amount of heat transfer from outside to in. This keeps the room temperature stable and makes the room usable year-round.
Save Space
As they don’t open inwards or outwards, sliding doors can also save space in your conservatory, compared to hinged door options such as external French or bi-fold doors which need space to open and fold out into.
In addition, sliding doors cannot be blown shut by the wind like French doors can, minimising the risk of slamming.
“We are extremely pleased with the finished room and it is greatly enhanced by the windows and doors”
Are There Any Disadvantages to Sliding Conservatory Doors?
Despite their many practical advantages, there are also a few limitations to consider before having sliding doors installed.
Limited View When Open
Because doors don’t open, fold and stack out of the way, it means that at least one pane of glass is always visible when the doors are open. That said, because the panes are typically larger on sliding doors compared to bifolds, they do offer the better views when the doors are closed.
Higher Costs
Depending on the system chosen, sliding doors can be a bigger investment compared to other types of patio doors.
Comparing Other Types of Patio Doors with Sliding Doors
While they’re the most practical for tight spaces, sliding doors aren’t the only option for your conservatory renovation. Compare the features of different patio doors and how they’ll work with your space:
| Sliding Doors | Bi-fold Doors | French Doors | |
|---|---|---|---|
Space Saving | Excellent: Sashes slide over one another, keeping obstruction to a minimum. | Good: Concertina opening makes the doors relatively compact. | Limited: When open, doors take up space on either side of its opening. |
Accessibility | Good: The aperture will never be fully unobstructed as one door will always be visible when the doors are open. Tracks can be recessed for a seamless transition. | Excellent: Bifold doors will fold and stack out of the way, meaning the aperture will be fully open. Low threshold options and recessing the track ensures easy access to the outdoors. | Good: The doors can open wide for easy access. The threshold can also be recessed to minimise steps/ transitions to the indoor and outdoor spaces. |
Price* | Less affordable | More affordable | Most affordable |
Versatility | Versatile: There are a variety of configurations, from 2 through to 6 door sets. | Very versatile: Many configuration options, from 2 to 12 door sets, as well as corner set ups. | Less versatile: Limited configuration variety as it’s usually 2 doors. |
Practicality | Very practical: Easy to operate, saves space and avoids slamming. | Very practical: Easy to operate and folds away neatly. | Less practical: Easy to operate and will open as far as the structure will allow. |
Security | The OS-29+ and OS-77 are PAS 24 Accredited. | Secured By Design and PAS24 Accredited. | Secured By Design and PAS24 Accredited. |
Visual appeal | Excellent: Slimmest sightlines, modern appeal and the most uninterrupted views of the outdoors when closed. | Excellent: Slim sightlines, modern or heritage appeal and excellent views of the outdoors, especially when open. | Good: Slim sightlines, modern or heritage appeal but will be limited by 2 doors. Fixed windows can be added to the side to enhance the aperture. |
Thermal Efficiency | Outstanding: U-Values as Low as 0.78W/m2K | Outstanding: U-Values as Low as 0.78W/m2K | Outstanding: U-Values as Low as 0.78W/m2K |
For a more detailed comparison, read about sliding doors vs bifold doors or sliding doors vs French doors.
What's the Best Material for Sliding Doors?
Your chosen sliding door material will have an impact on the longevity of the doors, their thermal efficiency, visual appeal and security. Aluminium is an incredibly strong material which means much slimmer sightlines are achievable, compared to uPVC patio doors or wood.
Track options – what options are suitable for your configuration?
Sliding doors work by a trolley or carriage running along the top and bottom track. Double or triple tracks are available, and this will be dependent on the configuration of door that you choose.
- A double track allows two panels to slide over one another. They’re usually adequate for smaller applications, as they’re only for two door sets.
- A triple track allows three panels to slide behind one another. This configuration can cover much wider patio openings.
The OS-29+ features a concealed track design, which looks more seamless look and reduces the chance of items getting caught.
Regardless of whether you opt for the OS-29+, OS-44 or OS-77, all options can be recessed into the floor to minimise the step or transition into the outdoor space. This can reduce trip hazards and improve accessibility. You will need to discuss this and the likes of drainage options with your installer.
Read the guide on sliding door track systems for more information.
Glazing Options
You will also need to decide on the type of glazing you want based on your requirements, i.e. triple or double glazing. Triple glazed sliding doors will not only help increase the energy efficiency of your home, but if you live in an urban area, it can reduce noise.
Speak to your installer about glazing options, such as laminated, acoustic, solar-reflective or toughened safety glass for additional benefits.
Configurations and Customisations
Origin Sliding Doors can be specified with up to 6 doors, so should cover most conservatory sizes, as the maximum size it can go up to is 13.16m.
Your installer will talk you through the configuration and customisation options which can include cills, handles, colours, trickle vents, drainage and the of recessing the track.
Aluminium Sliding Doors from Origin
At Origin, the Patio Slider is available in 3 sightline options – 29mm (OS-29+), 44mm (OS-44) and 77 (OS-77).
The OS-29+ is our latest launch, and with sightlines of just 29mm, it offers minimal profile and maximum light. These patio doors feature a concealed track that can be recessed into the floor for a seamless transition. Perhaps most impressive is its thermal performance. With U-Values as low as 0.78W/m2K, it outperforms all other aluminium sliders on the market.
Explore some of the features of the OS-29+:
- Modern look with a sleek design
- The best thermal performance
- Flush stacking option*
- Concealed running gear
- Multipoint locking
- Available in over 150 RAL colours
- Up to a 20-year guarantee
* Flush stacking is only possible when the pocket handle is selected
For a more traditional look in your conservatory, you can choose either the OS-44 or the OS-77. These Patio Sliders are available with sightlines of 44mm and 77mm, respectively, so you can choose the perfect option to fit your existing space.
To find out more about Sliding Doors for your conservatory, please contact your local installer today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sizes are sliding doors?
Origin Sliding Doors are completely bespoke, which means they’re made to your unique requirements. The minimum width of a sliding door set is 1.1m, and its maximum is up to 13.16m. Get in touch with your local installer to discuss your custom set.
Do sliding patio doors need planning permission?
If you’re having sliding doors installed in an existing structure, you shouldn’t need planning permission. However, if you’re planning a brand-new conservatory featuring a sliding door, you may need to check whether you need permission in your area.
Can sliding glass doors open both sides?
Yes, but its opening options are largely dependent on your configuration. If your door set uses four or six sashes, it can only open from the middle.
