Aluminium sliding patio doors are a stylish, thermally efficient and practical exterior entranceway option for modern homes. Traditional hinged doors, such as French or bi-fold doors, require free floor space around the doors for opening inwards or outwards to. Meanwhile, sliding doors offer minimal obstruction and plenty of flexibility as all of the opening happens on one track.
In this article, we'll look at the benefits of external aluminium sliding doors for your patio area and the possible downsides before you decide whether aluminium sliders are worth it for you. We also outline the considerations you should make before buying.
In this guide:
Review the advantages such as slim frames, security features, aesthetic appeal and an abundance of natural light.
There is a slightly higher upfront cost, but can offer value in the long run.
Aluminium is a practical choice for supporting larger panes of glass and achieving a sleek design.
Aluminium door solutions offer a blend of elegance and strength, making them a popular choice.
Explore the various styles and configurations, as well as applications in residential or commercial spaces.
Benefits of Aluminium Sliding Patio Doors
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Security Features of Aluminium Sliding Doors
Premium-grade aluminium, a minimum of six points of locking and precision engineering allow aluminium patio doors from Origin to be incredibly safe and secure. Plus, aluminium’s inherent strength makes it an excellent choice over many other external door materials, such as uPVC or wood.
Read about sliding door security
Energy Efficiency and Insulation
High-quality aluminium sliding doors feature thermal break technology in order to minimise the transfer of heat. This means they save on energy bills and help you maintain a smaller carbon footprint. Triple glazing can further improve the thermal efficiency of a sliding door system. The latest sliding door from Origin, the OS29+, achieves a U-Value as low as 0.78W/m2K.
Read about sliding door energy efficiency
Space-Saving and Accessibility Advantages
A major benefit of sliding aluminium doors is their ability to create a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor areas. They take up minimal space around the door, and the sliding mechanism requires minimal effort to open. On top of the concealed track design, the tracks can be recessed into the floor to seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living spaces. Please discuss this with your chosen installer.
Download a Sliding Door brochure
Long Term Value
It’s no secret that natural light and functional outdoor spaces are crucial deciding factors for potential buyers (Belvoir!, 2018). There are a few options that offer unobstructed views and a smooth flow to the outdoors, like sliding glass patio doors. What’s more, they don’t take up any additional living space. A set of high-quality sliding doors will be sure to make a lasting first impression, as well as increasinge the chance of a higher-than-asking price offer.
Framing Coastal Living in Devon
Low-Maintenance Patio Doors
Marine powder-coated aluminium sliding doors have minimal maintenance requirements because they are resistant to rusting, rotting, warping or discolouring like other materials can. The concealed track of the OS29+ Sliding Door also makes it less likely that debris will get lodged in the trolley/ opening mechanism. Read our guide on sliding door maintenance requirements here.
Design Flexibility
Finally, aluminium doors are very versatile. 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 RAL colour options.
Are there any Disadvantages of Aluminium Sliding Doors?
There are pros and cons to all sliding door options. While aluminium is a strong, lightweight and versatile material, it tends to command a premium price compared to uPVC or wooden doors. Also, even though aluminium is an infinitely recyclable, strategic material for a more sustainable future, it can be costly to mine (Science Direct, 2022).
Ultimately, homeowners buy aluminium sliding doors with longevity in mind. They’re resistant to losing their alignment, compromising their structural integrity, or losing their visual appeal. These benefits usually make the investment worthwhile.
Comparing Aluminium Sliding Doors with Other Materials
The frames of your sliding patio doors should be durable enough to withstand all types of weather conditions and frequent use, but also lightweight enough to allow for easy operation. Origin Sliding Doors are made from premium aluminium that is incredibly strong and capable of accommodating larger glass panels. This lets in more natural light and creates a seamless flow with your garden. You can compare aluminium against other sliding door materials in this guide.
UPVC or aluminium sliding doors
While affordable, uPVC isn’t as durable as aluminium. It can discolour over time, warp, crack and move out of alignment, which can affect the operation of your sliding door system or compromise its security and weatherproof seal. This can cause draughts and increase energy consumption.
Aluminium’s innate strength, paired with Origin’s precision engineering, means every door is designed to offer superior looks, performance and function, even after many years of use.
Compare aluminium and uPVC Sliding Doors here.
Dreamy kitchen surrounded by walls of glass
Aluminium or steel doors
Steel sliding doors are an alternative to aluminium, and they share some benefits, such as the possibility for slimline frames, strength and stability. However, steel is very heavy and less thermally efficient than aluminium, giving it significant disadvantages. Thermally broken aluminium frames can achieve exceptional thermal efficiency that steel may not be capable of. Steel also sits at a far higher price point than aluminium.
Are Aluminium Sliding Doors Worth It?
The decision to choose aluminium sliding doors comes down to your style preferences and budget. Aluminium patio doors are a premium option, but they offer many benefits, including slim sightlines, large panels for maximum natural light, durability, ease of operation and clean lineslongevity.
Sliding doors also enhance the look and feel of a space without taking up extra room. They are a fantastic option for commercial settings or homes of all sizes, especially if you have a landscape view to frame.
"A luxury pod deserves the very best, and the Origin sliding doors and windows have elevated the space to another level. "
- The Homeowners
Luxury living pod with Origin Sliding Doors
Considerations with Aluminium Sliding Patio Doors
What options are available?
There are currently three sightline options for the Origin Sliding Door available: 29mm (OS29+), 44mm (OS44) and 77mm (OS77). All feature premium aluminium frames and have been designed for exceptional performance, unmatched functionality and timeless beauty.
Our Sliding Doors can accommodate openings over 13m wide and can be customised to your unique style and design preferences.
Where can I use aluminium sliding doors?
Sliding doors don't take up space around the entranceway, which makes them suitable for tight spaces or locations with high traffic, such as living rooms, kitchens, balconies or conservatories. They also provide plenty of flexibility since you can decide which panels (if any) will be fixed.
Configuring and cCustomising Origin Sliding Doors
Aluminium sliding doors can have a minimum of two panels and a maximum of six, and can accommodate entranceways over 13m. You may need to decide between fewer, larger glass panels or a higher number of narrower panels to fit your unique opening. Larger panels will maximise natural light and views of the outdoors. Meanwhile, narrower panels will be more practical to operate.
Read about sliding door configuration options here.
There are many ways to customise your sliding door besides the configuration. Origin offers 150 RAL colours, several handle options, and the option to add industrial-inspired glazing bars. The sky is the limit when choosing the look of your bespoke aluminium sliding door. Read our Colour Guide or advice on choosing the right sliding door handle.
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 to guide you every step of the way.
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. Meanwhile, sliding doors slide back against each other on one track, leaving one pane always in view. You can learn more about the differences between them here: 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 shifts the doors on and off the track in order to slide open. It also allows them to be locked in an open position. However, inline sliding doors do not have this feature, because they are easy to operate without needing to be lifted. Learn about the different mechanisms in our guide here: Inline Sliding Doors vs Lift and Slide Doors.
How long do aluminium sliding doors typically last?
Origin products come with a guarantee of up to 20 years, which is one of the longest in the market. The durable frames are designed, manufactured and tested to outlast less durable materials, such as timber and uPVC.
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