Recently, aluminium sliding doors have become very popular in interior design. They add a modern and practical look to your home. The reason they are so popular is because they are much cheaper than a wooden or metal door and take are very affordable to maintain. An aluminium sliding door is a door with an aluminium frame and usually two glass panels.
Other types of panels, including metal and hardwood, are also found but they are not readily available in the market. This type of aluminium doors serve very well as a patio door as well as interior doors and dividers. As sliding doors move along a groove, they consume less space and offer a wider way than traditional doors. This means you can use them instead of hinge doors to make room for your furniture or just use them in the middle of a room to provide a little privacy.
Things to know
Basic aluminium sliding doors have two glass panels. One panel remains fixed while the other slides when the door handle is pushed open or pulled closed. Aluminium French sliding doors are double-sliding and both doors are moveable.
Many sliding doors move along the grooves with the help of little rollers. This type of grooves need to cleaned regularly otherwise dust may clog the grooves thus jamming the doors.
While many aluminium sliding doors have clear glass panels, some may feature metal openwork patterns inside the glass or they may have an etched or frosted pattern. Some sliding commercial doors for businesses are made of glass panels with an aluminium trim. Sometimes patio doors use textured openwork metal panels instead of glass. This way, the door allows light and air to enter the house yet maintains a classy look.
Buying an aluminium sliding door
Shopping for an aluminium sliding door can be a little overwhelming. You will find hundreds of different aluminium frames and even more glass and other panels. So, when you are purchasing a sliding door where do you begin and what do you look for?
The first thing to pay attention to is the frame. Aluminium frames are cheaper but they do come in a large variety of shapes and sizes with an equally elaborate price range. For the most economical of sliding doors you are likely to be looking at basic aluminium frames. Single part hollow aluminium extrusion is usually the frame of choice for lower priced models. As wood is really high-priced and aluminium is the more practical choice you may be looking for a frame what is known as a wood clad frame. This is an aluminium frame with a fitted outer wood cover. This reduces the price yet conserves the natural feel of a wooden frame. Another thing you might want to look for is a thermo-brake aluminium frame. These are essentially constructed in two pieces so that in very cold weather, you won’t get frost on the aluminium inside panel.
The type of the panel is the second biggest concern while buying a sliding door. There are two major types of glass panels – single and double pane. Double pane glasses also known as IG unit can be tempered. This means that if they break they will not shatter or create a safety hazard. Therefore double pane glasses are more advisable. One of the newest trends in sliding doors is Low-E, or low emissivity glass. Low-E glasses are used to create energy efficient doors and windows. They reflect heat back to its source rather than absorbing and transmitting it inside your home. The other benefit to Low-E glasses is that it will help reduce ultraviolet light transmission preventing your carpet furniture, and door coverings from fading and discoloring.
The last thing to concern yourself with is the type of hardware used. Most sliding doors use a single point lock which is usually a hook style latch that locks by hooking into the door frame. Single point locks are not secure because the door can easily be lifted up right out of the frame even if the door’s handle is in lock position. Double point locks are better alternative. They use two hooks, each on the opposite direction locking the door firmly with the frame thus zeroing the possibility of lifting out the door.
There are plenty of aftermarket products available for a sliding door that can be added. Blocking bars can be added for security. They extend across the stationary side of the sliding door blocking the door from being opened. If the blocking bar is made of a substantial metal it will provide a good degree of security. Another add-on security option is a security pin. These devices are usually installed at the very bottom or top of the inside of the door, to prevent the door from opening when pinned.
Top 3 recommendations
The price of an aluminium sliding door ranges from $300 to $600. There are many features of these sliding doors to be considered. This may hamper your judgment so following are the top three recommendations to help you.
West Palm 72″W Clear Aluminium Sliding Patio Door Unit W PALM SDCE 33045 WH
At $390 this minimalistic white colored aluminium sliding glass door is a perfect choice to add a practical flavor to your patio. It requires very low maintenance and is fully weather-stripped for a tight seal. It comes with a clear glass panel and a 1-year warranty.
Croft LLC F85396 Aluminium Reversible Sliding Glass Patio Door Kit
This double sliding door features a new type of hardware providing maximum security. It comes with a double pane tempered glass so safety issues should be greatly reduced. The aluminium frame can be found in two color finishes – bronze and white. This great door is priced at $460.
Silver Line 57WA60LMMN 6/0 X 6/8 Series 5700 White Vinyl Patio Door, With 15 Lite Internal Grids
If you are looking for a modern look for your patio door then this surprisingly well designed sliding door is meant for you. The modern yet classy square grid on the panel instantly grabs the everybody’s attention. It features a thermo-brake aluminium sill and a 1” tempered IG glass pane. It comes with a limited life time warranty which explains its high price of $575.
Conclusion
An aluminium sliding door may be in your home for years. So before you jump to conclusions weigh your options and go for the best buy. Otherwise you may regret your decision for a long time.
