Over the past decade, sliding door technology has advanced significantly, with panels becoming larger and frames slimmer. While bifold doors were once the top choice for those undertaking extensions, renovations, or self-build projects, sliding doors have now emerged as the preferred option for most homeowners.
The development of sliding doors has completely transformed their appearance, the bulky patio doors of the past have been replaced by sleek, high-performance aluminium systems, with some systems capable of achieving individual panels up to a massive 6 meters wide.
What has changed with how sliding doors are glazed?
In most standard doors and windows, the glass is secured in place by a bead that clips into the frame. This method effectively holds the glazing but becomes a challenge as sliding doors have become slimmer. For manufacturers aiming to achieve narrower frames, the traditional beading method wasn’t feasible. To solve this, many have opted to glue or bond the glass directly to the frame, allowing for the ultra-slim profiles seen in modern sliding doors. Learn more
Are bonded glass sliding doors common?
Most ultra-slim sliding doors are designed with the glass bonded directly to the frame. This method is essential for achieving the sleek, minimalistic appearance that these systems are known for, while also providing the necessary rigidity for proper door operation. A simple way to identify bonded glass systems is by looking at the frame: if the top and bottom of the panel’s frame are almost entirely concealed, it is likely a bonded system. Learn more
What are the drawbacks of bonded glass?
The primary drawback of bonded glass is that if the glazing is accidentally broken, the entire panel of the door must be replaced. This is because once the bonding agent is applied, it is impossible to remove the glass from the frame. As a result, homeowners are left dependent on the continued availability of the specific door system they initially chose. If that system is no longer manufactured or the original installer is no longer in business, replacing the entire set of doors may be the only option. Unfortunately, such a replacement is unlikely to be covered by a typical home insurance policy. Learn more
What alternatives are there for sliding doors?
Some ultra-slim sliding door systems, such as theEDGE2.0 from IDSystems, use a semi-bonded approach. In this method, the glass is bonded only at the interlock (where the panels meet) while the other three sides are secured with a glazing bead.
Although this results in a slightly larger outer frame, it doesn’t compromise the view through the doors, offering sightlines as slim as 20mm. This glazing method allows for just the glass to be removed and replaced if needed, meaning repairs are simpler and more cost-effective, as only the pane needs to be swapped out rather than the entire panel. Learn more