When buying sliding doors, it is vital to have a proper understanding of their security options, glazing options, energy efficiency - and more. Becoming an expert on sliding doors help you to decide whether sliding doors are right for your home, or if you need to consider another patio door option. It is also useful to be aware of the different options available to you, and how to choose the best possible design for you. Many sliding doors come in a range of different colours, glazing options, configuration options, and more.
Here, we provide a full guide to understanding sliding doors and their benefits, and how to choose the best option for you.
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Find out more about how sliding door U-Values work.
Learn more about the costs of sliding doors and the factors that can have an impact on the cost.
Read our guide to the different glazing options for sliding doors.
Find out what maintenance you may need to carry out to ensure your sliding doors stay in top condition.
Learn more about the different sliding door options available to you, and how to choose the best option for your home.
Understanding sliding door U-Values
The energy efficiency of a sliding door largely depends on the material it is made from. Origin sliding doors are made with aluminium, which helps to increase thermal efficiency as they are fitted with a thermal break. This acts as a thermal barrier between the inner and outer parts of the door frame and prevents the heat from being lost.
All of our sliding doors are tested and designed for energy efficiency. Origin Sliding Doors feature weather tight seals for protection and energy efficiency, and are thermally broken to reduce the heat transfer between inside and outside.
Learn more about the energy efficiency of sliding doors in our guide.
What are U-Values?
A U-Value is the measurement of heat transferred from one side of a window (or door) to the other. The lower the U-Value, the less heat that would be lost through the door or window. Therefore, the better insulated a structure is, the lower the U-Value will be.
U-Values allow homeowners to choose the most energy-efficient doors, and this is extremely important for various reasons. A low U-Value door with optimal insulation will significantly reduce energy transfer out of the home and into the atmosphere, creating a better, more stable environment.
Additionally, high energy loss is not just bad for the environment, but it’s bad for your living standards too. When the heat becomes more precious in the winter seasons, you will not want a door that is constantly letting large amounts of that heat out.
Find out more about sliding door U-Values in our guide.
How much do sliding doors cost?
A number of factors can affect the cost of sliding doors, including:
Material – Aluminium is the most expensive option, but it also provides the most durable and strong option too.
The door system you choose – there are a huge number of sliding door systems available which can vary between manufacturers.
Door size – larger sized doors with larger panels will cost more to buy initially and installation and delivery costs can be higher due to the weight of the doors.
Door configuration – sliding doors can be configured in a number of ways and more complicated configurations carry higher costs.
Door colour – many manufacturers offer a standard range of colours, but if you’re looking for something a little more unique, it may come with a slightly higher price tag.
Learn more about the costs of sliding doors in our guide.
Sliding doors glazing options
The key differences between the two types of glazing are:
Energy efficiency – triple glazed sliding doors can be up to 50% more energy-efficient than double glazed sliding doors, helping to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Noise reduction – the thicker the glass or the more panes there are, the greater the noise reduction, so triple glazed doors help to block outside noise. This is the best option if you live in a busy or industrial area.
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Triple glazing |
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Origin Patio Sliding Doors are available with either double glazing or triple glazing and are completely bespoke to meet your needs. Your installer will source the right type of glass that’s right for you.
Find out more about how double glazing and triple glazing compare in our guide.
What sliding door maintenance may you need to carry out?
Get into the habit of at least checking on your sliding doors every month or so, even if they seem to be working well. Routine maintenance tasks involve checking every part of the sliding glass door, paying particular attention to the tracks, rollers and wheels.
Origin Sliding Doors are coated with the highest grade powder available which is applied using an electrostatic process. This is much tougher and more durable than standard paint used on aluminium door frames and is also resistant to scratches. However, you may still wish to clean your frames from time to time—but avoid using products with abrasive substances in them such as chlorine.
Aim to clean the sliding door roller and track once a month or so. Don't forget that the tracks on both sides of the door will need cleaning! Start by vacuuming the area to remove any large stones or debris. A wire brush is also handy to get rid of any dirt that may have lodged onto the wheels. Then use a toothbrush and warm, soapy water to release grime from the moving parts, especially the hard-to-reach areas.
Remember to also regularly clean your glass panes. Use a window cleaning solution to clean the glass both inside and outside, using scrunched up paper, a microfibre cloth or similar tool to wipe away any streaks. Once the moving parts have been properly cleaned, lubrication is recommended so that the wheels can glide easily across the tracks without the doors sticking or becoming hard to open.
Make sure to use a lubricant on both the bottom and top tracks, although the bottom one will probably need more lubrication than the top one. Use a silicone lubricant, carefully applying it to the cleaned wheels and to the door track, using a clean cloth or rag. Silicone spray is ideal, as it doesn't become a magnet for dirt. If you don't have a silicone lubricant, some people recommend applying a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar.
Read our full guide to sliding door maintenance here.
Choosing a sliding door for your home
There are a number of factors you should consider when buying your sliding doors to make sure they’re secure:
Sightlines – Our Origin Artisan Slider has sightlines of just 20mm, whereas our Origin Patio Slider features sightlines of either 29mm, 44mm, or 77mm. The slimmer the sightlines, the better, more expansive the view.
Material – the material of your sliding door frame can have a huge impact on security. Wooden and uPVC doors can be strong and durable but they can also be easily broken or bent with force. On the other hand, aluminium sliding doors, such as Origin Sliding Doors, provide a physically secure door.
Glazing – the glazing you choose for your sliding doors can have an impact on security, thermal efficiency and sound.
Door locks and handles – multi-point door locks are recommended as they can prevent lock snapping and, with a minimum of six points of locking, are extremely secure and difficult to break into. We offer a range of handle designs and colours to choose from. Find out more about our lock and handle options here.
Colours – At Origin, we offer a large range of colours for your sliding door. With 150 RAL colours to choose from, Origin’s extensive palette includes everything from bright primary shades to candy pastels and deeper earthy tones.
Size and configuration – When buying an Origin Sliding Door, you can specify your overall size, configuration, and more.
All of Origin Sliding Doors are designed with security in mind, made with the best materials and feature a multi-lock system which is exceptionally difficult to break.
Learn more about sliding door security in our guide.
Purchasing sliding doors with Origin
At Origin, our doors are designed and fabricated by our own in-house team, giving us control over every aspect of the manufacturing process and ensuring the doors are tested at every stage for quality. Our state-of-the-art factory as well as our dedicated research and development help us to create the highest-quality doors.
From there, our doors are purchased through a network of nationwide installers. They will arrange everything through us and will undertake your installation/ project. They are a 3rd party company and separate to us, so be sure to find an installer you’re comfortable with. To find your local one, click here.
Find out more about Origin Sliding Doors here.
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