GLAZED DOORS THE BASICS
There’s more than just aesthetics to think about when choosing the best solution for your project. Here are the main options
This set of Sunflex SF55 aluminium bifold doors was supplied by IDSystems (www.
idsystems.co.uk). The doors are thermally broken to prevent heat from escaping the house
ALEKSA STUDIO/ JULIET MURPHY
Featuring aluminium frames, Kloeber’s (www.
kloeber.co.uk) Kustomslide doors offer slim sightlines and an expansive area of glass. Here, a centre-opening configuration provides a gorgeous focal point
If your priority is to frame prized views, establish sunsoaked interiors or create a seamless link between inside and out, the right type of glazed system will allow you to achieve all three goals in one. You might already have some idea of what you want, whether you’re inspired by the slim sightlines of sliding panels or the contemporary talking point a pivot system provides. But your final choice will be dictated largely by how the doors relate to the overall design of your house, plus – to some extent – by your budget. It’s always worth speaking to several suppliers as part of your research, as these specialists may be able to suggest alternative options – whether it’s a completely different system, a tweak to the panel configuration, or switching the type of threshold to better suit your home’s exposure levels.
BIFOLDS
If you want a large span of doors that offers the best possible transition between your home’s living spaces and garden, then bifolds are well worth a look. This style of glazed door folds together as it opens, leaving you with a narrow concertina of stacked panels. This configuration enables up to a 90% clear opening (as opposed to up to around 66% for sliders).