Selfbuilder_and_Homemaker_-_September_-_October_2019

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• bifold doors • slide & turn doors • windows • glass roofs • front doors • balustrades

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cold spots. aïr doors, for example, are
tested for windloads up to 120 mph, so
doors up to 12 metres wide can be super
wind-proof.

WHAT ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF

SLIDING DOORS?
If you’ve got a beautiful view from your
home and want minimal disruptions, a
sliding or lift and slide door could be for
you. They have wider glazed areas to
drink in plenty of natural light and make a
real feature of your garden.
Lift and slide doors use a clever
opening mechanism, so that when you
open the door, the weight of the door
panel is lifted up onto rollers so that they
can easily be opened and closed. This
means that door panels – that can weigh
up to 300 kg – can be moved with just
two fingers. Look for really wide panels
for maximum impact – the higher and
wider the better.
If you have a very wide opening that
needs multiple panels, ask your supplier
about triple track lift and slide door
options – this gives you more flexibility
with your opening, as the door panels
can move in either direction. Again, low

threshold options merge your living

spaces and they’re a great option for

large glazed extensions to bring as much

light as possible into the home.

If you’re just starting out in your self-

build venture, it’s worth thinking about a

cornerless lift and slide door. It means

you can slide back an entire corner of the

room, without any corner post, and enjoy

truly panoramic views from the comfort

of your home.

Again, aluminium is an excellent choice

for sliding or lift and slide doors. They

offer slim sightlines, for less frame and

more glass, and their strength means you

can have larger panels and heavier glass

units, with triple glazing options often

available for added energy efficiency.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I NEED

TO CONSIDER?

Though frames are slim, colour is still

important for your wide-span glazed

doors. The darker the frame, the less

obtrusive they are. Using black or dark

greys can almost make the frames

‘disappear’.

If you’re by the coast, ask about

marine-grade paint finishes or dirt-proof

textured options like aïrcoat.

Take a look at the guarantees you’re

offered on your doors too – products are

usually guaranteed by the manufacturer

for 10 years.

If you’re looking for an installer, check

out the manufacturer’s recommended

fitters or specialised network of

accredited retailers – and check that

they’re a member of FENSA or Certass

for an insurance-backed guarantee on

the installation.

Jay Patel is brand ambassador for

aїr aluminium

ASK THE EXPERT

16www.sbhonline.co.uk september/october 2019