Exterior sliding doors can be the ultimate finishing touch to a house. At Origin, we have a flexible range of configurations, which means no matter what type of property you have, you'll always be able to find the best possible combination of door panels for your space.
Whether you are creating an extension, have a new build property, or are refreshing your patio space, there are a variety of systems, sightline options and sliding door configurations available - all of which will lead towards helping you choose the best sliding door system for your home.
Click on a link to jump to that section:
Find out what is meant by panel configurations and the options available to you.
Read what determines the best panel configurations option for your sliding door.
Find out what door configuration options are available to you for each of our sliding door designs.
Read the different options of glass, weather resistance and sightlines.
We answer frequently asked questions on choosing sliding door panels.
What is meant by panel configurations?
Panel configurations refers to the number of panels within your sliding door and the ratio of sliding to fixed panels. Sliding door panel configurations are available in two, three, four or six panels.
When you are configuring your door combinations, you will need to consider how many of the panels are sliding and how many are fixed - and how this will also impact the space around the door. For example, if you have all doors sliding, you will need to ensure there is enough patio paving on the other side for someone to step onto if they walked out. Similarly, with bi-fold doors, there needs to be space for these to fold back effectively.
You can learn more about all the different configurations available by requesting our sliding doors brochure, which talks you through all of the different options.
Choosing the best panel configuration for your sliding door
Whether you opt for a PVCU, timber or aluminium door frame, it is important that you choose the best panel configuration for you. At Origin, we only manufacture our sliding doors using premium aluminium. We allow for a range of panel configurations, including two, three, four and six panels, which combine either all moving or a combination of moving and fixed panes. The question you might be wondering is how best to choose the right configuration for you.
This can come down to your overall size, the 'system' type for your door and the configuration that best suits it. Origin Sliding Doors are made completely bespoke to your requirements, so you can customise every part of your door, even down to the colour you wish for. If you’re set on a sliding door from Origin - find your local installer to advise on what type of door works best for your space, ensuring both practical requirements and aesthetics are being considered.
You will be able to choose from options of how you want your doors to open - for example, if you opt to have a fixed pane, you can choose where this is which will determine where the opening is (so if your fixed pane is on the left, you will open your doors from the right and vice versa), or depending on the configuration, doors can open and lock in the middle. Your configuration will then dictate what track option you will have (whether it be a double track or a triple track). The concealed tracks will blend in beautifully against the door frames to provide a sleek, considered and discreet door set up. Our inline slider brochure is a great way to learn more about this.
Whatever opening style you opt for, rest assured that our specially designed running gear will ensure your doors glide there effortlessly with our quality carriage system and robust running gear, and when in your required position, our perfectly weighted bearings will ensure the doors stay in place.
Origin Sliding Door configuration options
OS-20 Origin Artisan Slider
The O2-20 Origin Artisan Slider is a sleek, contemporary door that provides panoramic visuals of your outdoor space with its 20mm sightline. It comes in two frame depth options - either 116mm (as a double track) or 182mm (as a triple track).
The track height is 44mm (for both double and triple track) and can be recessed into the floor.
OS-44 and OS-77 Origin Patio Sliders
The popular OS-44 and OS-77 Origin Patio Sliders offer two sightline options of 44mm or 77mm. As with the OS-20, they are available in a double (frame depth of 143mm) or triple track (frame depth of 213mm), and this is dictated by what configuration/ door opening set up you go for. The height for the track is 50mm for both, but it can be recessed into the floor for a more seamless transition from the inside to outside space.
Both systems are available in two, three, four and six door setups.
Our two-door sliders can have one panel go left or right while the other panel is fixed, or you can have both panels sliding. For three panel sliders, you can again have a combination, with two panels sliding and one fixed, or all three panels moving. Again, you will be able to specify if you want the lead door to be on the left or right of your space.
With the four-door panels, these can include two sliding panels and two fixed or all moving, while the six-panel doors can include four sliding panels and two fixed on the ends or have all six moving. Certain configurations will come with a central interlocker where the doors lock into one another, which will add to your sightline but could enhance your usability of the door if it’s easier to open at the centre.
The Origin Artisan Slider accommodates a maximum individual panel size of 2200mm wide and 3000mm tall (or 6sqm overall), and the Origin Patio Slider has a maximum panel size of 2000mm wide and 2520mm tall.
Most people will opt to have a larger number of panels to maximise natural light and minimise how many doors will be required to open. However, some people choose to have more doors to decrease the weight of the door.
A local installer can help talk you through the different configuration options and how to choose the best option for you.
What are the different types of panels available?
Across the Origin range, we have two systems that offer a total of three sightlines. The OS-20 Artisan Slider is a structurally bonded system that’s manufactured from premium grade aluminium and boasts ultra-slim sightlines of just 20mm.
Meanwhile, the Origin Patio Slider OS-44 and OS-77 have two sightline options available: either 44mm or 77mm. The slimmer option (the OS-44) enables you to maximise glass expanse. However, the OS-77 is more traditional in style with its larger sightlines. Both are made from high-grade aluminium.
The OS-20, OS-44 and OS-77 are all thermally broken and are manufactured with a polyamide thermal break, which reduces heat from transferring through the door system to each side.
Origin's bespoke sliding door range
All Origin products are completely custom-made and bespoke. They also come with a guarantee of up to 20-years and offer ultra-slim lightweight, durable aluminium frames, advanced weather tight seals, thermally efficient designs, a durable powder coating and high security locking mechanisms.
You can view our full range of sliding doors here.
Frequently asked questions
How many sliding door panels can you have?
Between two and six door sashes.
Which direction should a sliding glass door open?
Your door can open either from the left, right or in the middle. This is dependent on your configuration chosen.
How do you measure a sliding glass door to replace it?
Origin do not survey and install your sliding doors. You’ll need to work with a trade partner who will measure up, liaise with us to get the product on order and then will install. Find your local installer here.
Can sliding doors match other windows and doors?
Yes, with over 150 colours to choose from and completely custom designs, you can choose your sliding doors to match your windows and doors or you can opt to contrast them.
How does a three-panel sliding door work?
You can either have two sliding panels and one fixed, or all three panels can slide. You can choose where you would like the fixed pane which would then dictate where the lead door of opening is.
Can glass be replaced in patio doors?
Most of the time - yes, if you should need the glass replacing in your patio doors, it can be changed as required. Origin do not get in touch with the glass as we manufacture the frames.
If you have an existing door set that is a wet glazed system, this means the glass has been structurally bonded to the frame and will consequently not be able to be replaced without replacing the entire door sash.
Should I choose double or triple glazing?
This depends on the specification you wish to go for and the thermal/noise protection you need. However, Origin Sliding Doors are built with thermal considerations in mind already, making them particularly great for regulating temperature.
Get in touch
Find your local installer to start your journey today.
