We make and fit double glazed sliding patio doors in Clerkenwell. They suit homes with a wide opening onto a garden, patio or balcony, where you want big panes of glass and doors that do not swing into the room. You get made-to-measure doors in uPVC or aluminium, fitted by our own team with a 10-year guarantee.
A sliding door is simple to use. One panel glides past the other on a track, so the doors take up no floor space at all. That makes them a good fit for kitchens, dining rooms and extensions where every metre counts.
Sliding patio doors are part of our wider double glazing service. To compare them with other styles, see our full range of double glazing doors.
How Sliding Patio Doors Work
A sliding patio door has two or more large glass panels in one frame. At least one panel slides along a track at the base. The others can be fixed or can also slide. When you close the door, the moving panel locks against the frame.
The most common layouts are:
- Two-pane: one fixed panel and one sliding panel. This suits most openings.
- Three-pane: a fixed panel each side and a slider in the middle, or two sliders and one fixed.
- Four-pane: two fixed outer panels and two sliders that part in the middle. This suits very wide openings.
Modern sliders run on steel rollers with smooth, quiet tracks. Even large, heavy panels open with one hand. Many come with a low threshold, so it is easy to step out or wheel a pram through.
uPVC or Aluminium Frames
We fit sliding patio doors in two frame materials.
uPVC sliding doors
uPVC sliders cost less and keep heat in well. The frames are steel reinforced and need little care. They come in white, grey, black and woodgrain foils. The frames are a little wider than aluminium, so you see a bit less glass.
Aluminium sliding doors
Aluminium is very strong, so the frames can be slim even on very large panels. That means more glass and wider views. The frames are powder coated in almost any RAL colour. A thermal break stops heat escaping through the metal. Aluminium sliders suit modern homes, extensions and wide openings.
For a full side-by-side guide, read our page on uPVC vs aluminium. If you like the look of uPVC, our uPVC doors page covers the wider range.
Glass, Colours and Extras
All our sliding doors use toughened safety glass, as the rules require in doors. Our standard unit is double glazed, argon filled and low-E coated. Triple glazing is also on offer for larger panes or colder rooms.
You can choose:
- One colour inside and out, or a different colour on each side
- Solar control glass to cut glare and heat in south-facing rooms
- Self-cleaning glass, which helps rain wash dirt off the outside
- A low or flush threshold for easy access
- Integral blinds sealed between the panes
We can match the frame colour to new windows too. See our double glazing windows for the same shades and finishes.
Security and Safety
Old sliding doors had a bad name for security. Today's doors are very different. All our sliding doors come with:
- Multi-point locks with hook bolts that grip the frame
- Anti-lift blocks, so the sliding panel cannot be lifted off the track
- Anti-snap cylinders that resist the most common attack
- Glass held in from the inside
- Toughened safety glass that breaks into small, blunt pieces
Sliders are also a safe choice for homes with children. There is no swinging door to catch fingers or bang into a child. You can add a child lock to the handle if you want extra peace of mind.
How We Make and Fit Your Sliding Doors
We start with a free survey. We measure the opening, check the floor level and the lintel, and talk through layout and colour. Then you get a written, fixed quote. Once you go ahead, your doors are made to measure.
On fitting day, we remove the old doors and frame. We fit the new frame level and square, as a slider needs a true base to run well. Then we fit the glass and panels, adjust the rollers and locks, and seal and finish the edges. Most sliding doors are fitted in one day.
If you plan to widen the opening, the job may need a new lintel and some building work. We will tell you at the survey. You can read the full journey from survey to after-care on our how we work page.
What Affects the Cost
We do not publish set prices, as every opening is different. The main price drivers are:
- Size. Wider and taller doors need more frame and glass.
- Number of panels. Three- and four-pane doors cost more than two-pane.
- Frame material. Aluminium costs more than uPVC.
- Glass. Triple glazing, solar control and self-cleaning glass add to the price.
- Colour. Dual colours and special finishes cost more than white.
- Threshold. A flush, level threshold needs more work at the base.
- Building work. A new or wider opening adds labour and time.
Every job gets a written, fixed quote after a free survey, with the payment stages set out. To book yours, request a quote.
Building Regulations and Planning
New sliding patio doors count as building work. They must meet Part L for heat loss and use safety glass. A new door set in an existing home must reach a U-value of 1.4 W/m²K or better. Our doors meet this.
As a FENSA registered installer, we self-certify the work. You get a certificate when the job is done. Keep it with your house papers for when you sell.
Replacing doors at the back of the house does not usually need planning permission. A new opening in a listed building or a home in a conservation area may need consent. We will flag this at the survey.
Looking After Your Sliding Doors
Sliding doors need a little more care than hinged doors, because of the track. Keep these habits:
- Vacuum the track every few weeks to remove grit and leaves.
- Wipe the track with a damp cloth. Do not oil it, as oil holds dirt.
- Keep the drain holes in the base clear.
- Wash the frames and glass with warm soapy water.
- Oil the lock once a year.
If a panel starts to drag or stick, call us. A roller adjustment usually fixes it quickly.
Sliding Doors or Another Style?
Sliding doors are a great choice for wide openings and small rooms. Here is how they compare:
- Bi-fold doors open the whole wall, but the folded panels take up space and the frames are thicker.
- French doors suit narrower openings and a more traditional look.
- Stable doors suit a back door where you want fresh air through the top half while the bottom stays shut.
We can talk through each one at your survey and show you what fits your space.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you maintain sliding patio doors over time?
Keep the track clean. Vacuum it every few weeks and wipe it with a damp cloth, but do not oil it. Keep the drain holes clear so rain can escape. Wash the frames and glass with warm soapy water a few times a year. Oil the lock once a year. If a panel drags, call us to adjust the rollers.
Are sliding patio doors safe for homes with children?
Yes. There is no swinging door to trap fingers or knock into a child. The glass is toughened safety glass, which breaks into small, blunt pieces. Multi-point locks and anti-lift blocks keep the door shut. You can add a child lock on the handle. Stickers or etched glass at child height help stop little ones walking into the glass.
Can sliding patio doors be fitted on an uneven floor?
Yes, but the frame must sit level for the door to slide well. We check the floor and opening at the survey. If the base is uneven, we pack and level the frame on fitting day. Where the floor needs more work, such as a new sill or step, we tell you before we quote, so there are no surprises.
What colours can sliding patio doors come in?
uPVC sliders come in white, cream, grey, black and woodgrain foils such as oak. Aluminium sliders can be powder coated in almost any RAL colour, with matt, satin or textured finishes. Both can have one colour outside and another inside. We can match the doors to your windows, so the back of your home looks like one design.
Do sliding patio doors add value to a home?
Good patio doors make a home brighter and easier to use, and buyers notice that. The value they add depends on your house and area, so we cannot promise a figure. What helps most is a quality door, neatly fitted, with a FENSA certificate and a 10-year guarantee you can show a buyer.
