Doors of perception
Kloeber’s Matt Higgs corrects some myths on sliding door performance, saying they are a thing of the past
T
he 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
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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
selfbuilder & homemaker
www.sbhonline.co.uk
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,
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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
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