Kloeber’s Matt Higgs corrects some myths on sliding door performance, saying they are a thing of the past.
The image in many people’s heads when they think of a sliding door is a thermally inefficient metal door which sticks on the track and has condensation on the frame. These are the sliding doors of yesteryear, which may have left us with an unfair stigma.
The sliding door has seen a real resurgence recently and this is for all the right reasons – reasons that are contrary to the negatives of past doors. Modern sliding doors are ‘thermally broken’ to stop the cold penetrating through from the outside, and also to insulate and stop the heat inside escaping. They also have the mechanisms to cope with larger, heavier pieces of glass giving an unspoilt view for the homeowner and a smooth operation.
Many people are now seeing the benefits of a sliding door over a folding door in that when the doors are closed there is less framework and more glass. Sometimes sliding doors can also work out to be a more cost effective option, compared with other types of doors.
The options for sliding doors in terms of materials are predominantly aluminium and composite (timber inside, aluminium outside). These are at the higher end of the market but there are also the options of timber and then PVCu at the more cost-effective end. Each material has its own merits.
Material options
Composite gives you the benefit of strength with the two material types combining to make a very robust profile. You also get the benefit of a low maintenance finish on the external face with powder coated aluminium and a warmer insulating timber inside.
Aluminium is the most common material for modern sliding doors and is very low maintenance, as well as being light and strong. This means large frames can be achieved, combined with cost effectiveness comparable with timber and composite.
As a material for sliding doors timber is a very good natural insulator, varying different timber types can give you different performance weights and cost, so this is a very versatile material.
Last but not least – PVCu. The main benefit of PVCu is its price, making it very cost effective for self-builds while also giving good thermal performance and providing a very light weight solution.
The crucial tip to remember when buying sliding doors is to make sure the mechanisms are of good quality and can cope with the weight of the glass. Also ensure the company you’re buying from is experienced and offers a comprehensive warranty.
With the main part of the door’s area being glass, it is very important to remember that a sliding door is only as good as the glass that is put in it. Most modern sliding doors are fairly substantial, so would benefit from a higher specification of glass than in a standard sized window or door. Triple glazing should be considered to reduce heat loss from the building . If the door is on a south facing elevation then solar-control glass is advisable to reduce the solar gain.
Modern architecture and our way of living is all about light and space so a sliding door is always a consideration in any new property. They bring natural light into the home as well as offering the aesthetic and lifestyle benefits of a connection between inside and out, and correctly specified modern sliding doors will perform for the long term.
There are also several options for sliding door configuration. The double track option gives greater flexibility of opening so that multiple doors can be provided. Alternatively, single track provides for a combination of fixed and sliding panels. The choice of single or double track will be dependent on the size of opening and what effect you are looking to achieve.
As with any major purchase, there’s no substitution for seeing and operating the product for yourself and meeting the people from the company you’re considering buying from. Clever marketing and good photography can easily make a product look better than it really is, so don’t be fooled! It’s very important to look at the company’s history, warranties and verify the general quality of its products by seeing them first hand. After all, sliding doors are a fundamental part of the building – one you want to last and be admired for years to come.
Matt Higgs is sales director and co-owner of Kloeber.