The boom in home improvement projects during lockdown has accelerated an interesting shift in extension and renovation design.
For much of the last decade, the desire to create large open-plan kitchens and family spaces has been complemented by bi-fold doors that connect the new living area to the patio and garden. However, in recent years, sliding doors, with large panes of glass and incredibly narrow frames, have become the go-to option.
Will Mitchell, product manager for award-winning glazing specialists Sunflex UK, offers his insight into the reasons behind the trend:
Doors for all year round
‘The popularity of bi-fold doors is obvious – the ability to open up the entire set of doors for a seamless transition between inside and out offers a wow-factor for any home.
‘The drawback is that they are designed with more frame and less glass, compared to modern sliding doors – which means when they are closed, there is less glass to look through. Given the climate we have in the UK, the doors will be closed for far longer each year than open, so the trend towards sliding doors becomes more understandable and obvious.’
Minimal frame, maximum light
‘Thanks to advanced technology, the visible frames between the glass on the Sunflex UK SVG20 sliding doors, have been reduced to just 20mm, providing almost completely uninterrupted views out while filling the inside of the house full of light – ideal for summer but also perfect during winter when the light levels are lower.’
Keeping your home warm during winter
‘Modern sliding doors don’t just look good, they also offer protection from wind and rain – even in the most exposed and rural locations. The SVG20 and SVG30 sliding door systems deliver advanced thermal performance with U-values from an incredibly low 1.2W/m²K, ensuring you keep the warmth of your home indoors during winter.
‘The design of our sliding doors, unlike bi-fold doors, allows for a completely flush threshold between inside and out without reducing the protection the doors offer from wind and rain.'
Advanced security
‘The Sunflex UK range of sliding doors feature multi-point locking mechanisms as standard. For additional protection we recommend opting for laminated instead of toughened glass, which is the standard required for the Secured by Design, the police preferred specification for security. A polymer layer sandwiched between two panes of glass means that it shatters but does not break, so is better at preventing break-ins.’
For more details about Sunflex’s award-winning sliding doors, go to sunflexuk.co.uk, or call 01603 424 434