Sliding doors: 8 pros & cons

Sliding doors are highly popular installations in both residential and commercial settings, renowned as the modern alternative to traditional patio doors. Top brands will offer sliding door designs with a sleek appearance and tonnes of functionality, coming with countless benefits.

Sliding glass doors are a great option for bringing beauty to your home or commercial premises in the form of natural light and uninterrupted views of your surroundings. They can also provide easy access to your outdoor space or balcony area, often adding a welcome breeze during the warmer summer months.

However, like most other property improvement projects, sliding patio doors have their disadvantages too. When deciding if sliding doors are right for you, it’s essential to weigh up the options.

The pros of sliding doors

There’s a reason that sliding doors are so popular, and we’ve explored a few of them below:

1. They let in a lot more natural light
   Sliding doors often take the place of old windows or a solid wall, and therefore let in an abundance of natural light, giving the impression of further space and creating a pleasant, airy environment. The Origin Sliding Door that we choose to work with at Your Price Bi-folds also offers expansive panes for a sleek, minimal look.
2. They provide ventilation
   If you want a little fresh air without having to open any of your doors too wide, sliding doors are ideal. You can open your sliding doors just a little to let some air in, locking the pane in place.
3. They require little space
   Unlike French doors and bifolds that open inwards or outwards, your sliding door will either slide back into the wall or into the track, making them a great option if you’re trying to save space. This gives you more flexibility when planning furniture positions or stop you from worrying about taking up space on your patio.
4. You can enjoy an improved outdoor/indoor flow
   When you’re relaxing in your living room or another social space, it can be annoying to get up and go to the back or front door in order to access the outside. With sliding doors, you won’t have this issue and will benefit from enhanced indoor to outdoor flow.
5. They are safe & secure
   Historically, sliding doors got a bad reputation for their usage of non-shatterproof glass and lack of security features. These concerns have now been made obsolete thanks to advancements in engineering, with most sliding doors now featuring safety glass, hook-over-locking mechanisms and incorporated gaskets. There are also other steps you can taketo ensure optimum security for your sliding doors.
6. Sliding doors often offer great energy efficiency
   The Origin Sliding Door is manufactured using low-emissivity glass, which has an invisible coating that reflects heat back into your room. The doors also feature a polyamide thermal break in the profile, which improves energy efficiency.
7. Get wall-to-wall views with aluminium slimline profiles
   Aluminium sliding doors offer the slimmest profiles on the market, minimising sightlines. They’re the perfect choice for those looking for wall-to-wall glass in spaces like hotel lounges or kitchen extensions that overlook stunning outdoor settings. It also means views are virtually uninterrupted.
8. They’re easy and lightweight to operate with a smooth-slide mechanism
   Modern sliding doors aren’t like bulky patio doors used to be. New patio sliders are very easy to operate, needing minimal effort to open and shut them along their tracks without strain or difficulty. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with mobility concerns, children or the elderly.
9. Choose residential or commercial applications
   Sliding doors are widely chosen in both residential and commercial settings, thanks to their space-saving designs and aesthetic appeal. You’ll see them used for patio and balcony doors, restaurant and hotel terraces, residential property extensions and more.

The cons of sliding doors

There are very few cons of sliding doors, but we’ve addressed some concerns below.

1. The biggest disadvantage of sliding doors is the level of cleaning they require. Being a large expanse of glass, you may notice a build-up of dirt, grease and grime, made worse in homes with pets or children. However, this is easily overcome with regular cleaning, and is a small price to pay for uninterrupted views and natural light.
2. Another concern that many people have when it comes to sliding doors is that the track will end up becoming sticky or stiff, resulting in a door that is hard to open or close. With the Origin sliding door, there’s no sliding – only gliding. Equipped with a flawless operation and a 20-year guarantee, you’ll have complete peace of mind in your product.
3. Sliding doors typically require a wider wall space than traditional hinged doors. If you only have a small opening for installation, something like bi-folding French doors can offer a suitable alternative.

Why are sliding doors still so popular?

If you’re wondering, ‘are sliding doors worth it?’, the answer is an almighty yes! They’re chosen for anywhere from property extensions and garden offices to kitchens, balconies and dining rooms. They continue to be popular for their practical designs and versatile looks, helping property owners to maximise available floor space. They’re typically used to provide easy transitions between indoors and out, connecting to gardens, patios, terraces, balconies and decking while emphasising open-plan layouts and a smooth flow between zones.

What are the best sliding doors?

Aluminium sliding doors have gained a reputation for excellence, offering numerous benefits. They’re considered the superior choice for modern patio doors, offering outstanding durability and strength. Aluminium doesn’t warp or rot, and it’s an incredibly low-maintenance material. It’s easy to customise the look of aluminium sliders with countless colour options, high-quality hardware and configurations. Aluminium doors are also energy efficient, thanks to an in-built thermal break.

How much do sliding doors cost?

Sliding door prices will vary greatly, depending on the size and design you want, the frame material and quality, the glass type, your chosen manufacturer and installation complexities. Before you start a sliding door installation project, it’s important to consider your unique needs, space requirements and budget, getting tailored quotes based on your specific requirements.

You can find out more in our blog: What’s the cost of sliding doors?

Origin patio door installers in the South East

If you’d like to speak to one of our team about having a patio door installed, Your Price Bi-folds have friendly experts on hand to answer any queries or questions you might have, as well as provide you with a free, no-obligation quote for sliding patio or bifolding doors.

Call us on 0203 874 5166 or email [email protected].