Sliding doors are the perfect way to open up your space and allow for easy use of your garden. They have become increasingly popular over the years, allowing people to create less of a divide between inside and outside so they can fully utilise their space.
When looking for sliding patio doors, there are a lot of colours and styles to choose from. However, the type of frame and glass aren’t the only options you have to consider. After all, when you’re looking for sliding doors, you want them to be practical and functional as well as look good.
This is why it pays to understand the different types of sliding doors on the market so you can choose the ones that work and look the way you want them to. You also want to be sure that they will last as long as possible with minimal maintenance.
What types of sliding doors are there?
There are a few different types of sliding doors on the market but when it comes to standard sliding doors, you’re usually talking about in-line and lift and slide doors. Both of these allow you to slide one or two doors open and come with a range of benefits.
For starters, both of these types of doors are space-saving as they sit within their frames, meaning they don’t project outwards or inwards like hinged or bi-fold doors. They also both come in a range of sizes, allowing you to fully tailor your design.
Both lift and side and in-line sliding doors also come in a range of colours, finishes and glass types while also delivering great weather resistance.
The main difference between these two types of sliding door is how they open and close. So what is the difference between lift and slide and in-line sliding doors?
How do in-line sliding doors work?
In-line sliding doors are the traditional option for sliding doors, with most people being familiar with this type of patio door. They normally come in configurations of two, three or four doors, all of which sit on rollers. This means that when you grab the handle, you’re able to pull the door along its track.
Typically, in-line doors come in aluminium, timber and uPVC and have a weight capacity of up to 200kg. The larger and heavier the door, the more effort is required to pull it along its track. This means that in-line sliding doors may not be suitable for larger doors, such as if you wanted to be able to open an entire exterior wall.
How do lift and slide doors work?
Lift and slide doors are a much newer option and are ideal for larger panels because they are easier to operate, even if a door is heavy.
The doors sit directly on the track, which provides improved thermal performance, and the handle needs to be turned to lift the doors onto their rollers. Once they are lifted, you can easily open and close the doors.
A big benefit of these doors is that they can be locked in position anywhere along the track, as you can simply turn the handle to lower the doors back onto the track. This stops them from being opened accidentally and allows you to control ventilation. They are also a lot more secure and weather tight than in-line sliding doors, meaning they typically last longer.
Lift and slide doors also come in a great selection of product types, many of which provide a slimline look. You can also opt for much larger doors, allowing you to fully make the most of your view or fully open up your home.
Whatever material and size you choose for your doors, you’ll be able to move them much easier than in-line doors regardless of their weight, which is one of the reasons they are becoming increasingly popular.
Which sliding door is best?
The type of sliding door that is best very much depends on what you want from your door. As well as the opening mechanism, you need to consider size, material, colour and several other factors. This means that the best option for you and your property may not be the best choice for someone else.
At Eximia Glazing, we work with each of our clients to find the right sliding door for them. We provide honest and transparent advice based on what you’re looking for and the design you are going for, taking you through the pros and cons of the options available to you.
Ultimately, we want to help you find the best sliding door for you and your budget, which is why we are design-led and not sales-led. Even better, we provide products that are designed to last a lifetime and will provide after-sales support to make sure this is the case.
To find out more about our sliding door options and to discuss which option is best for you, call us today on 01777 819020 or email us at enquiries@eximiaglazing.co.uk.
