A sliding door changes a living room. More light, a view across the full width, and, unlike French doors, no doors taking up space inside or out. But which version suits your situation?
Lift-and-slide door (HST 85)
The lift-and-slide is the heaviest and best version. You turn the handle, the door lifts a few millimetres off the threshold and then rolls aside almost weightlessly, even when the sliding panel is three metres wide. When it closes, it settles back into the seals, which gives excellent protection against wind and rain.
- Sliding panels up to well over 3 metres wide and 2.5 metres high
- Flush (level) threshold possible
- The best insulation and security ratings
- One-handed operation, even with heavy doors
Smart-Slide
The Smart-Slide is a parallel sliding door without the lifting mechanism. The sliding panel first comes towards you slightly and then glides aside. Slimmer, lighter and noticeably better value, with a limit of around two metres per sliding panel. A sound choice for openings up to about four metres.
- Better value than a lift-and-slide of the same size
- Slimmer profiles: more glass, less uPVC in view
- Can also be set to a tilt position for ventilation
- Low threshold rather than flush
The threshold: more important than you think
As standard you get a low threshold a few centimetres high. With a flush threshold you walk straight outside without a step. Handy with a pushchair or walking frame, and it looks sleek. The condition is good drainage: a threshold channel with an outlet, and a terrace that falls slightly away from the house. That is exactly why we measure and fit this ourselves; a badly executed flush threshold is a leak you will see again at the first driving rain.
When do you choose French doors after all?
For openings up to about 2.5 metres, French garden doors are often the better choice. They open up the whole opening (with rebated doors even without a centre post) and are clearly better value. With a sliding door, one panel always stays fixed. Not sure? Then we will show you both options at the measuring visit, with the price difference alongside.
Security
The back of a house is a burglar’s favourite spot. Our sliding doors come as standard with a multi-point lock all round and SKG** hardware; the lift-and-slide also cannot be lifted out of its track when closed. If you want more certainty, an RC2 version with laminated glass on the inside is available.
Maintenance
Keep the tracks free of dust, that is the most important thing. Sand and grit in the track are the number one cause of stiff sliding doors. Oil the seals and hardware once a year with acid-free oil and your door will still run smoothly in ten years.
Curious what it would come to for you?
Request a no-obligation quote or book a free measuring visit. Our own surveyor comes round, takes the measurements and advises you on the spot, you are under no obligation.