Edward Stobart, Technical Sales Manager at IDSystems identifies what to look for in a quality sliding door to add value to all variety of homes
Over the past decade the popularity of sliding doors has grown rapidly as slender framed systems have replaced bifold doors as the go-to option for many undertaking a renovation or self-build project.
With large glazed panels and minimal frames to interrupt the view out the popularity of sliding doors has been very much based on how they look when closed – something they tend to be more often than not given the British climate.
As the style of door has grown more and more popular so has the choice of different systems, making it harder and harder to tell which is a quality sliding door and the right choice for your home.
Slim sightlines done properly
Sightlines are the visible elements of frame between the glass and for sliding doors those can be as narrow as just 20mm – meaning a span of up to 9 metres could be broken up by just 4cm of frame.
When it comes to identifying a high-quality sliding door frame depth matters just as much as the width of the sightline. There is no point opting for a really narrow frame if the door then requires a chunky reinforcing profile or fin on the leading edge of the door – not only does it spoil the aesthetic of the door it also means the frame is anything but narrow when viewed from an angle.
Instead look for a door system where the frame finishes flush to the glass so that it looks slim from any angle, not just from face on.
The choice of configuration options
Whatever the width and height of your aperture, getting the right configuration of door panels to create the best possible look and make the most of the opening is crucial.
Most sliding door systems have limitations on how many panels can slide behind a fixed frame so look for a sliding door system that has a wide range of configuration options to best suit you, not to suit the limitations of a specific door system.
Three panels sliding behind a fourth fixed frame is great for creating a three-quarter wide opening or for a real wow-factor opting for a pocket door system where the panels slide into the wall will always turn heads.
Glazing method
Can a sliding door system really be classed as a premium system (regardless of how much it costs or how well engineered it is) if you need to replace the entire panel should a sealed unit accidentally break in years to come?
For bonded glass sliding doors, where the sealed glazed unit is permanently glued to all four sides of the frame to provide rigidity, this is the risk that homeowners face and whilst replacing the glass is likely to be covered by your home insurance policy, replacing the entire panel and the labour required to remove it from the outer frame once plaster and finished floors are installed is unlikely to be.
High performance running gear
This one is a bit harder to tell just by looking at the door, so you may need to ask to see the hardware itself – but the difference in the running carriages that the doors slide on can make a massive difference to how the doors operate and how easy they are to open and close.
For a premium quality system you should be looking at a stainless steel running gear, because nylon wheels over time risk buckling or bending under the weight of large glazed panels. High performance quad-wheel carriages offer the ultimate in effortless operation for years to come.
