UPVC Sliding Patio Doors

Also known as sliding glass doors, sliding patio doors have been a popular entrance to back gardens and, popularising their name, patios. They’re designed for convenience and for bridging the gap between the home and the greater space outdoors.

The history of sliding doors

Sliding doors are in fact not a recent invention, but it did take time for them to transform into how we know them today.

Patio doors really took off in the past century

During the early 20th century, sliding glass doors as we know today became popular, and are said to take inspiration from the shōji of Japan. The successful development of float glass in the 1950s by UK company Pilkington Brothers made glazing more uniform than preceding methods, thus allowing a more seamless transition between the indoors and the outside world.

What are main features of UPVC sliding patio doors?

Designed for the modern age, UPVC sliding patios are built with security, thermally efficiency and ease of cleaning in mind.

Security

The sliding patio includes a multi-point locking system to safeguard your door along key points, and with anti-lift properties can’t be foiled by would-be intruders. The door is steel and aluminium reinforced for added strength, and we use toughened glass resistant to head-on impact.

Energy efficiency

A multi-chambered profile creates several layers within the door, which prevent the escape of heat and thus help you to save energy in heating your home. Double and triple glass employ warm edge spacer bar technology for the same purpose of restricting heat loss.

Weather resistance

The weather-resistant surface of our UPVC sliding patio doors stands up to rain and shine for longer than standard wooden doors, which without protection can absorb moisture and react more easily to the changing temperatures, warping as a result. The centre seal creates a continuous seal between the sash and threshold, and prevents water tracking.

What are their advantages and disadvantages?

Each door has its intended uses, and UPVC sliding patio doors are no exception.

Advantages

UPVC patios provide advantages over wooden and aluminium doors, and when it comes to space.

Low maintenance

UPVC is easier to clean and does not require repainting. Its weather resistance helps it stand the test of the elements, by not soaking up rain and by being UV stable in sunlight. Wooden doors need painting to achieve a coloured finish, which can chip and peel from prolonged exposure to the changing British weather. Aluminium’s sleek design can unfortunately be ruined with easily noticeable scratches from everyday use.

More energy saving

Multi-layered UPVCs restrict the escape path of internal heat. Conversely, single-layered wooden doors allow heat to escape more easily, and hence require more for you to heat your home in winter. Aluminium is conductive, and so without thermal breaks also allows heat to easily pass through it.

Our UPVC patio doors use double or triple glazing, with the combination of multiple panes and warm edge spacer bar technology reducing heat loss in the same fashion as the multi-chambered UPVC profile.

Less expensive than aluminium

Not only is UPVC cheaper than aluminium, it is also more economical due to the aforementioned lower maintenance requirements and greater thermal efficiency.

They take up less room and create more space

As they remain close to the wall when opened, patio doors do not take up as much room as standard swinging doors. Their generally fully glazed aesthetic also offers a wider view of the outside than a panelled swing door, thus narrowing the division between the outdoors and indoors.

Disadvantages

Patio doors are not without drawbacks that may make them as less appealing option to swing type doors.

Can prove bulky for some users

Particularly when fully glazed and when larger than an average entrance door, a sliding patio may prove to be heavy for some users to operate.

Less choice of design

The choice of designs is restricted, as panel mouldings and hardware, such as letterplates, available for our standard UPVCs could prevent proper motion if applied within a sliding patio.

Considerations

If you have additional requirements for your patio or back entrance, you may wish to consider your options.

Catflap or pet door

These cannot be fitted within a sliding patio, so a swing door to accommodate a cat flap or pet door would be needed, or alternatively one can be fitted within a side panel.

Door design

Due to functionality, sliding patios are restricted to simpler designs, therefore styles with elaborate mouldings are not possible. Decorative glass designs, while possible, may not be as pleasing to the eye on sliding doors as would swing doors and stationary side panels or top lights.

What do X and O mean?

These refer to the opening and fixed panels of a sliding patio door.

X means opening, while O means fixed

These denotations are based on the panels as viewed from outside - note how the opening door is behind the fixed one in the 2-panel.

Where do I buy these doors?

You can order them from our Sales Team or by placing an order directly online. Here’s how:

Call us free

Our freephone number 0800 910 1122 will get you in touch with our Sales Team, who will be more than happy to help you with getting your new door.

Message online

Use the blue tab on the right to send us a quick message. Alternatively, our Contact Us page lets you attached an image if you have spec handy or a specific requirement.

Order online

Place your order online and our Sales Team will soon be in touch. They’ll make sure you’re happy with everything before your order goes ahead.

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