Getting sliding patio door sizes right is essential in not only having the right style of door for your home but also making the most of the open doors in the summer months.
Sliding patio doors provide added features over bifolding doors and hinged French doors. Compared to these other doors, a sliding patio door gives you bigger glass panels, minimal aluminium frame and the best views. In this article, we explain everything you need to know about sliding patio door sizes and how to best configure your new sliding doors.
What are the best sliding patio door sizes for your home?
A number of factors affect the size of patio door best for your home. First of all is the size of an existing door opening. For instance, you have an old metal, PVCu or timber patio door needing replacement. Here your choices are less, compared with building a new extension where the door opening is not yet built.
For existing openings, we suggest our contemporary Dutemann Glide-S sliding door. Besides being the latest generation, slimline sliding door, the Glide-S has one advantage over other products. That is bigger sliding panels. Where many other doors only give you door panels over two metres, Dutemann Glide-S doors go over 3 metres. Therefore a two panel door of up to 6.4 metres wide is possible where other doors need an extra panel. There are other benefits too.
- Ideal for replacing old aluminium patio doors at six metres wide having four panels.
- Two panels usually give a 50% clear opening compared to 33% clear opening with three panel doors.
- A single door mullion on two panel doors provides a neater looking door than three panels as well as bigger glass sizes.
For existing door openings, you also have a choice of PVCu as well as aluminium doors, available in a big choice of colours and opening options. However, there is no need to keep your existing door design. Innovations such as multiple tracks and flexible opening let you enjoy an entirely new type of sliding door.
And if your existing door has a hardwood subframe, the good news is all our doors come with a direct fix design, meaning no more care an maintenance of the old wood surround.
Patio sliding doors for new extensions.
At Open Living, we specialise in supplying and fitting all manner of sliding patio doors for new extensions. While bifolding doors are best to open up a wall, we now fit many patio doors because of the extended views in the winter months and the more minimalist appearance. Therefore, when choosing a patio door for your new extension, there is a big choice of sliding doors.
First of all is the choice of door type. As well as affordable smaller patio doors for balconies, porches or to replace French doors, there are a number of new patio doors to choose from.
- Minimalist and near frameless slimline sliding doors.
- Open corner sliding doors with no visible corner post when open.
- Pocket sliding doors, disappearing into a wall pocket, entirely out of sight.
- Flush threshold sliding doors.
- Doors at bigger sliding doors sizes of up to 3 metres high.
At the design stage of any new extension, we recommend you talk to your professional sliding door supplier. Not only is it important to understand the many different products, but also different costs, colour options and functionality. Not all sliding doors are the same.
As well as choosing the right door, it is equally important to consider aspects such as what threshold arrangement is best. We can help you choose a standard or flush threshold, letting you have a level inside and outside with great drainage and weather protection too. Another benefit of a flush threshold is a smooth transition with a minimal step, also ideal for pushchairs or wheelchairs.
Finally, there is now a choice of single or double tracks for two, three or four panel doors as well as triple tracks. The more tracks, the more panels slide in more than one direction. As a result, you can open and close your doors in many different ways.
Choosing how patio doors slide.
Whether you want a standard size or doors at bigger sliding patio door sizes, there are three possible ways to open and close your new doors.
Inline Slide. These doors slide in the traditional way, with each panel set within its frame, pushed or pulled open and closed with the doors sliding on tracks.
Lift and Slide. The bigger door handles controls the door. Turning it through 180° lifts and lowers the door.
Tilt/slide. Available with premium aluminium systems, the door panel tilts back giving ventilation without sliding the door open.
The benefit of choosing a lift and slide patio door.
If you’re worried about big sliding patio door sizes being heavy to open and close, we have this covered. Talk to us about the latest lift and slide doors or come try them out in our showroom. Lift and slide doors make opening and closing your patio doors effortless. A turn of the handle lifts the panel off the track, ready to slide fully or partially open.
As well as a light and smooth sliding action, lift and slide doors have another great feature over conventional ‘inline’ sliding doors. Slide the door where you want it, rotate the handle back down and the door locks in the open position. Importantly, this locking feature secures your door when partially open. It also prevents children from sliding the door and accidentally catching their fingers in the frame.
Top tips for choosing the right sliding door sizes.
To help you choose the right sliding patio door sizes we provide these useful tips and advice.
- Always visit a showroom and see the different types and styles of patio doors available.
- Talk to a professional installer to choose the right door for your home. Very important if your new door is the only back door to your garden.
- If you have a builder, ensure they understand the makeup of your chosen door, especially the threshold arrangement.
- Remember, the bigger the sliding patio door sizes, the more complex the installation. There are also added costs such as handling of large glass units as well as some doors having to come factory glazed. First-floor sliding doors will also need suitable access and handling.
- Early planning and discussion with your door provider, builder and architect will save you time, money and unnecessary inconvenience.
Contact us today to talk about sliding doors and get a free quote.
Our Letchworth showroom features the latest minimalist sliding doors, lift and slide doors as well as all manner or residential doors. Visit us today to talk over your requirements whether you want to change your old doors or about to embark on extending your home.
