Planning ahead for a glorious summer – with the ideal sliding patio door

If you’re dreaming of spending summer in your garden, then now’s the time to start researching your ideal sliding patio door – a stylish and practical way to provide easy access to your garden, patio or balcony, and to bring more light and air into your home.

Modern window technology has significantly improved the design, performance and security of patio doors, but as they become more sophisticated then specification can be more complex, and expert advice more important.

For example, not every wall can accommodate every type of sliding door, especially if you want to create an extra wide opening, so start with a structural assessment before you start planning. Also think about orientation. In a south facing façade a sliding door may cause too much solar gain – unwanted heat from the sun – but this can be controlled by specifying excellent insulation and specialist glass. Security is also vital, so look for doors which are Part Q approved. This means they already satisfy Building Regulations for safety and security, with features such as multi-point locking, strengthened glass and internal glass seals (glazing beads).

VELFAC composite sliding doors – style and performance combined

  • Stylish and contemporary, VELFAC slim framed, composite sliding doors maximise natural light while delivering excellent thermal performance, and meet rigorous Part Q standards for optimum security. Every door also comes with a 12 year warranty guaranteeing trouble-free operation for years to come.
  • Every VELFAC sliding door is custom made, with either 70mm or 25mm threshold (for virtually level access). Easy to operate, sliding doors take up minimal room when open, making them ideal for any location especially where space is at a premium.
  • VELFAC sliding doors can create openings up to 1.2m wide, with bi-parting sliding doors (where two central panes slide apart) opening up to 2.5 m wide.
  • VELFAC composite frames combine virtually maintenance free external aluminium with internal pine for a warm and welcoming interior. And be creative! Specify different frame finishes at no extra cost.

CASE STUDY: GAMEKEEPER’S LODGE, WARWICKSHIRE

This impressive new build home, created by interior designer Sarah Farrington, features the VELFAC composite system throughout, specified for its low U-values, slim frames and contemporary style.

“I wanted a really well-insulated home which also made the most of views over a lake at the front and woodland at the back,” explains Sarah.”I also wanted windows on both east and west elevations of the large open plan living space, but as we are on top of a hill air tightness was also important.” Triple glazed VELFAC units were the ideal solution: “The timber internal frame acts as a thermal break, preventing warm air leaving the house, and the triple glazing keeps the inner glass at a comfortable temperature,’ she says: ‘The aluminium external frames are also durable and low maintenance,” she adds.

Almost every room at Gatekeeper’s Lodge features floor to ceiling windows and doors with two impressive full height windows, each 4m long, installed one above the other around an internal lightwell.

“Large windows mean the house is always filled with light,” notes Sarah, ‘despite being built into the hillside.’ But with so much glazing installed, making the right choice of windows was vital she says: ‘The VELFAC system is exactly my style – contemporary, refined and elegant’. Security was also important, she adds: “I only have two doors with keys as everything else locks simply from the inside.”

Sarah’s architect, Hayward Smart, recommended VELFAC:

“I actually bought my windows six months before we started as it was such an obvious decision,’ she says: ‘I ordered the windows directly from our architect’s drawings, thanks to our main contractor Sibbasbridge, which meant the windows were delivered to site ready to fit which helped us achieve our impressive build time of only 14 months. I also used a VELFAC Approved Joiner who was price competitive and efficient. We’ve had very few snags but VELFAC has worked hard to resolve any issues, and this level of customer service would make me recommend VELFAC again and again.”

FIND OUT MORE

Ask our expert team to help you find the ideal VELFAC sliding door – call 01536 313 552, or visit our website for information and inspiration.