Sliding patio doors feature large glass panels and minimal framing, giving you uninterrupted views, plenty of natural light and easy access to your outdoor space. If your garden view is a key reason for upgrading your doors, sliding doors are an ideal choice.

They are also a practical solution for saving space, as there are no hinged panels opening inwards or outwards.

The cost of a sliding door depends on the door system you choose. A traditional sliding patio door is the most cost-effective option, with a starting price of under £4,000 for the installation of a new and bespoke door.

However larger doors with massive glass areas, and lift and slide doors with additional components will cost more, as will installations where 4 installers are needed to safely install the glass.

You can visit our individual product pages for more information on our door prices or request a quote directly.

You can read more about how our door types compare in our blog comparing bifold and sliding doors.

Our XP Glide system offers the slimmest sightline at just 20mm, delivering a clean, minimal look with maximum glass.

Our XP Slide Panoramic + features a narrow 25mm sightline, combined with an outer frame designed to be fully concealed within the building structure, creating an exceptionally slim profile to glass ratio.

Both systems are excellent choices for slim sightline sliding doors. The XP Glide remains our most popular option as it is more cost effective and does not need to be designed into the building at an early stage.

Yes, you can have a level threshold inside and out. As our patio doors are bespoke, they are precisely measured so the track sits flush with your internal floor level, complete with an integrated drainage system.

This detail is showcased in all our showrooms, where our expert team can guide you and your builder to achieve the exact finish you’re looking for.

Sliding doors move horizontally along a track, allowing large glass panels to remain visible at all times. This makes them ideal for maximising views and natural light. Bifold doors, on the other hand, fold and stack to one side, creating a larger clear opening.

Find out more in our comparison guide.

Sliding patio doors aren’t always cheaper than bifold doors. In fact, due to significant rises in glass costs across the industry, slim framed sliding doors, which use large amounts of glass, are now generally slightly more expensive than bifold doors.

The price difference is usually only a few hundred pounds, so when choosing between the 2, it’s best to focus on what suits your home and lifestyle rather than making a small saving.

The main difference between our sliding door options comes down to how they operate and their overall design.

We offer both traditional sliding doors and lift and slide doors. Lift and slide doors use a built-in mechanism that slightly raises the door before it moves, making it much easier to slide and allowing it to be locked in any open position. Standard sliding doors do not have this feature, so the weight remains on the rollers at all times.

In terms of appearance, sliding patio doors typically have slimmer frames and sightlines, while lift and slide doors have a more substantial frame. Lift and slide systems are particularly popular with elderly homeowners and busy families, as they are easy to operate and can be safely left open when needed.

Yes, integral blinds are available within our sliding door range, although larger doors do come with some size restrictions.

Within the XP Glide and our lift and slide doors, integral blinds can be fitted in glass sizes up to 2.2m² per panel. For larger panels, electric blinds are available within our twin-track lift and slide doors, with glass sizes up to 5m² per panel.

The maximum size of our sliding doors is determined by a height to width ratio. As a guide, we recommend keeping each glass panel under 5m² so 6mm toughened glass can be used. Exceeding this requires 8mm toughened glass, which significantly increases both the cost and the overall weight.

We can manufacture large sliding door systems, with configurations up to 6 metres wide in 2 panels and up to 8 metres in 3 panels. However, maximum heights will be limited, and practical considerations such as access to site and safe installation will also need to be taken into account.

Slim framed sliding doors can feel heavy, as the weight sits directly on the runners. In contrast, lift and slide doors feel lighter to operate thanks to their lifting mechanism.

That said, high quality running gear ensures our slim framed sliding doors still move smoothly with minimal effort. As panel weights approach 200kg, or when moving 2 panels at once, the weight can become more noticeable.

The glass options available for sliding doors are the same as those used in windows and other door systems, although the glass is often thicker due to the larger panel sizes.

Once a glazed area exceeds 2.4m², the glass thickness typically increases from 4mm to 6mm. With the demand for larger expanses of glass and slim profiles, most aluminium sliding doors are now fitted with 6mm toughened glass as standard.

Triple track sliding doors use 3 tracks instead of 2, allowing more panels to slide and stack. This creates a larger opening, often up to two-thirds of the total width, making them ideal for wider spaces.

Sliding doors are available in a range of configurations, including:

• 2, 3, 4 or 6 panel layouts
• Twin track and triple track systems
• Fixed and sliding panel combinations

This flexibility allows you to tailor the doors to your space and design requirements.

Yes, certain sliding door systems (particularly lift and slide doors) are well suited to exposed locations due to their strength and weather performance.

Yes, sliding doors can be designed with a flush threshold, allowing the track to sit level with the internal floor for a seamless transition between inside and outside spaces.

In most cases, you won’t need planning permission to install sliding patio doors into an existing opening at the rear of your home.

If you’re creating a new opening or enlarging an existing one, this is usually covered under permitted development rights. However, it’s always advisable to check with your local authority before starting any work.

If your property is a listed building, in a conservation area, or within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), you will typically need planning permission before making any changes.

Yes, you can visit one of our showrooms to view the full range of sliding doors, compare configurations and speak to a specialist.

Find your nearest showroom