What are aluminium sliding patio doors?

An aluminum patio sliding door is a type of door which is used to grant access between a patio and outdoor area and an interior area (often a conservatory or kitchen).

Aluminium is a popular choice for making good sliding patio doors. This is because it is durable, and allows for the doors to easily slide open. Aluminium patio doors are also ideal for letting light into homes or commercial spaces. They allow for the most glass panes to be incorporated into the door, to let in full views of the outside and provide natural light to the interior. The sight lines in aluminium doors are also thinner, granting even more natural light inside.

Our triple track sliding patio doors are aluminium based, and include three separate panels which allow them to open two-thirds of the way. 3 track aluminium sliding doors are perfect for large entrance spaces, including large conservatories, living areas, offices and balconies.

How much does a sliding patio door cost in Manchester?

The average patio sliding door price in England (including Greater Manchester and Cheshire) is between £500 and £1,500 according to 2021 estimates.

Installation costs vary depending on several factors. These include the materials you use, the size of the door and the timeframe you have to work with. The breakdown of the cost of fitting or refitting sliding patio doors in the North of England is as follows:

Supply costs
These cover the door frame and material costs and are usually around £590 - £690.

Installation costs
Many people choose to enlist the help of professionals to fit patio sliding doors. This is because the process can be challenging and time consuming without the correct knowledge and tools.

The cost of hiring tradespeople and labourers varies based on the company’s rates and the amount of time the door takes to install. Generally, large sliding patio doors will take longer to install than small ones. The cost of hiring a specialised tradesperson in Manchester is estimated to be between £80 and £150 per day, and the cost of a labourer is generally between £50 and £100.

On average, installations take between 1 day and 1.5 days to complete when using professionals.

Additional costs
There are additional costs involved with sliding patio door replacement or fitting. For example, if you need to restore or fit a new patio alongside fitting a patio door this will increase your costs. The estimated total UK costs of laying a new patio in a 20 square metre area is between £900 and £2,500.

What is the best sliding door?

Are you wondering what type of patio door is best?

There are several different types of patio doors. Manchester & Cheshire-based extension builders, First Choice Extensions, work with many clients to install different types of doors to patios into their homes during renovation and extension projects in the North West. The main types of doors we provide include:

• Sliding doors
• Bi-folding doors (also sometimes referred to as bi parting doors)
• Composite doors

When it comes to selecting the best sliding or folding door for your home, the first thing to bear in mind is the space you have got to work with. Bi-folding doors, while also popular, can take up space when they are opened, either in the interior space (if you opt for an internal fold) or in your outside area (if you choose an external fold). Because of this, they are not always the best choice for small spaces, or where you will need to move furniture or step around the food folds when open.

Sliding doors make an ideal alternative here. When they open, the panels overlap one another rather than fold inwards, allowing for far more space around the opening.

If you are working on a budget, sliding patio doors may also be more suitable, since they are usually less expensive to install.

On the other hand, if you have a larger space to play with, bifolding doors may be the best option. They are ideal for opening up entire walls, and allow for more access points when they are closed and opened.

Ultimately, both types of patio door have their advantages and disadvantages, but allow for a much smoother flow between spaces, as well as more natural light and a bigger ‘wow-factor’ in homes (which often lead to a higher property value).

How wide is a triple sliding patio door?

The third panel in a triple track sliding patio door makes it larger, increasing its width by a third. The two standard measurements for 3 track sliding doors are:

• 108 inches (9ft); and
• 144 inches, (12ft).

Are sliding doors easy to break into?

Many homeowners are understandably concerned about patio door security when it comes to renovating or adding extensions to their homes.

There are concerns over the security of some sliding doors, and some have suggested that they are easier to break into than other doors because they use a latch system. This can be easier for burglars to infiltrate than other locking systems.

However, if you live in an area where you are worried about someone breaking in through sliding doors, there are several things you can do to improve their security. For example, you can use blocking bars and security pins to prevent intruders from either accessing the latch, or pulling up the tracks of the door. If you are worried about the glass of the door being broken, you can also install either triple-glazed or shatter-proof glass; both are difficult for burglars to break.

Our team will work with you to assess your security needs, as well as your aesthetic and functional ones, when working with you on any home renovation project, including when installing sliding patio doors. Manchester and many of its surrounding areas are subject to high crime rates, including burglaries and break-ins, and our experienced team will take this into consideration when planning, designing and fitting extensions or internal refurbishments in your home.

Which is better: sliding or French doors?

When it comes to patio doors, there are benefits to having traditional French doors and sliding doors.

For example, French doors have the potential to be more secure. This is because they usually use a classic top and bottom key locking system (operated by a 5 lever mortice lock). In some cases this can provide more security than the latch system used on sliding doors for patios, which is easier for burglars to infiltrate.

However, aluminium sliding patio doors are popular for homeowners who want to both maximise their space and allow natural light into their homes. This is because they include glass panels which stretch along the whole of the entranceway. This lets in much more light from the outside, which opens up interior spaces, like kitchens, living rooms, conservatories and offices. As well as allowing more light, sliding doors also grant more space to homeowners. When opened, the door’s tracks pile against one another. By comparison, French doors are more cumbersome and take up more room when open, which isn’t ideal in smaller interiors or exteriors.

As well as this, sliding glass doors use a glass pack and insulated frames, which provide better energy efficiency than traditional French doors, which naturally allow more ventilation, but in doing so mean more heat is lost from homes.

Which is better: sliding or French doors?

When it comes to patio doors, there are benefits to having traditional French doors and sliding doors.

For example, French doors have the potential to be more secure. This is because they usually use a classic top and bottom key locking system (operated by a 5 lever mortice lock). In some cases this can provide more security than the latch system used on sliding doors for patios, which is easier for burglars to infiltrate.

However, aluminium sliding patio doors are popular for homeowners who want to both maximise their space and allow natural light into their homes. This is because they include glass panels which stretch along the whole of the entranceway. This lets in much more light from the outside, which opens up interior spaces, like kitchens, living rooms, conservatories and offices. As well as allowing more light, sliding doors also grant more space to homeowners. When opened, the door’s tracks pile against one another. By comparison, French doors are more cumbersome and take up more room when open, which isn’t ideal in smaller interiors or exteriors.

As well as this, sliding glass doors use a glass pack and insulated frames, which provide better energy efficiency than traditional French doors, which naturally allow more ventilation, but in doing so mean more heat is lost from homes.

What is the most energy efficient sliding glass door?

The best glass to use in glass sliding doors is double or triple-glazed glass. This keeps homes warmer, allowing less cold air to be allowed in, and less warm air to escape.

Having triple or double-paned patio doors is ideal for those who want to reduce their overall energy costs, and improve the overall ‘U-value’ of their home

How long do patio doors last?

Aluminium patio sliding doors are durable, and built to last. The material is high-quality, and endures both warm, cold and wet weather well. What’s more the sliding mechanism that is used in these types of doors is also more reliable and less prone to faults or stiffness than other kinds of doors. For instance, classic French patio doors suffer more wear and tear when opened and closed, and are more prone to mechanical issues because the hinges can rust or be overworked more easily.

Generally speaking, good sliding patio doors last around 30 years, if they undergo consistent light cleaning and are generally treated with care. Looking for patio door replacement Manchester services? As well as fitting new patio doors, our experienced team at First Choice Extension have also assisted many Cheshire and North-West-based clients with replacing old and damaged patio doors. If you require this service, call us on 01625 885030 to find out how we can assist you.