Practical advice to find the best sliding doors
Welcome to the third in a series of articles specifically designed to provide everything you need to know to help you find the best sliding doors for your project. This article covers the more practical aspects to help you with your purchase choice:
- External glass door installation – what’s involved
- Sliding door maintenance – tips before you buy
- Calculating the cost of a sliding door system
- Planning requirements for sliding doors
- Where to see sliding doors in action
- Alternatives – bifold doors, French doors, Crittall doors
- ODC sliding doors – the technical bits
1. External glass sliding door installation – what’s involved
Surveys: Our technical surveyors will make a site visit to assess existing support lintels and floor levels, especially important with complex glazing designs, glass roofs and glazed corner structures.
Specialist equipment: We use glazing robots or automated glass vacuum lifters fitted with suction pads to manoeuvre huge sheets of glass up to 1000 kg in weight
Access: Sometimes delivery is challenging. That’s where cranes and spider or mini cranes come into play. Generally, the only thing that thwarts us is high wind, but that’s only temporary. We liaise with your builder to ensure everything is as smooth as possible on the day.
Expert teams: Our installation teams are not fazed by the trickiest locations and they’re one of the reasons why our customers recommend us.
Read more about ODC Delivery and Installation
2. sliding door maintenance – tips before you buy
How to make sure you get yourself a trouble-free sliding system:
– Tracks must be kept free of dirt and debris. Look for track design which features a guard to prevent ingress.
– Rollers can sometimes become worn and need replacing. A well-designed sliding door design with high quality components will ensure that this is an easy and accessible job.
– Large panes of glass are best given a coating which prevents sea salt or traffic pollutants from sticking fast – it makes routine cleaning quicker and easier.
For more information, see our Sliding Door FAQs
3. Calculating the cost of a sliding door system – understanding your quotation
Bespoke sliding door designs are not standard, off the shelf products. Each system has specified frames, number of panels (fixed or moving), pane sizes and number of running tracks to suit its location – and all are factors in the overall cost.
A quotation will also include any extras such as self-cleaning coatings, integrated alarms, sound insulation as well as compatible blinds and awnings. It will also take into account installation costs.
4. Planning requirements for sliding doors
Permitted development allows changes to doors and windows, including the installation of sliding doors. It’s important to have a conversation with your builder about obtaining Building Regulations approval and check if there any local authority restrictions on your permitted development.
Flats, apartments, maisonettes and, of course, listed buildings, all need planning permission for sliding doors. We have years of experience working with past clients on these types of projects, and while we can’t arrange for your planning permission, we can offer advice and solutions to help with the success of your application.
5. Where to see sliding doors in action
Our showrooms are the best place to explore the look and feel of the ODC sliding door range. Take your time to browse the different designs, looking at colour charts and test the various opening configurations of our sliding door systems. It’s all part of getting the perfect glazing for your home.
6. Bifold doors, French doors and Crittall industrial look doors – alternatives to sliding doors for large glazed openings
Wood and aluminium composite bifold doors feature a wood frame with an aluminium exterior. The high quality aluminium shell offers excellent weather protection while the visible interior has the warm character of the wood. A slim sightline and impressive U-values add to the universal appeal of this door.
Wood bifold doors are thermally insulated timber external glass doors. They have an aluminium core – a multifunction insulating thermal break – covered with solid wood sections inside and out.
Aluminium double French doors or external doors are designed as rear or side doors for homes where aesthetics and security are essential throughout. Like sliding doors, French doors can be fully customised for seamless integration into a glass curtain wall or glass structure.
Crittall doors and black framed glass doors create the vibe of industrial lofts, characterful glazing for period homes and provide strong, individual design for new architecture. ODC Metro black frames and glazing bars customise sliding glass doors, transforming large areas of glass into smaller units.
7. ODC SLIDING DOORS – THE TECHNICAL BITS
You can download technical datasheets and brochures for our products. Our accreditations can be viewed here.
Our extensive gallery of past projects is an online resource for you. See how our sliding systems, bifolding doors and windows bring light and individuality to new builds, period refurbishments and extensions.
Click here to see our datasheets and CAD details.
Our team of experts can help you choose the best sliding system for your home.
We’ll advise on the number and size of sliding panels, sightlines, frame widths and thresholds to make sure your sliding doors have the aesthetic and versatility you want.
Our technical surveyors will specify doors with the optimum thermal performance and ventilation to keep your home comfortable
We’ll talk through your options for opening mechanisms, locks and security.
If you’d like any guidance on the best sliding door system for your project then please give us a call on 03300 586 792. Alternatively you can complete our contact form and we will get back to you as soon as we can. We’re happy to help.
Up next in our series is a look at bi-folding doors and includes all the advice that our experts have garnered over the years.
