Sliding doors are very popular these days both in commercial type buildings and in the home. Two types of door systems exist. The first is sliding in line type i.e. two or more independent door panels sliding on tracks that are parallel to each other typically used as patio doors. The second is turn, fold and stack type. In this instance all the doors are positioned in line and are directly connected to each other with hinges. To open the door system, simply turn the first door, sometimes called the slave door, and push. The sliding action makes all the doors fold into each other, hence the term folding sliding doors. The complete door system is pushed to one side and parked to create the usuable opening.
If you have a large structural opening in your home or office the folding type doors are probably the best solution. These doors can achieve a useable opening of up to about 90% compared to sliding in line type doors which can only achieve a useable opening of between 50% and 66%.
Each door in the system consists of a frame with large glazed panels. If the door system is positioned on an external wall then the glass should incorporate thermal properties such as double glazing to reduce heat loss or heat gain. Whether used internally or externally, and because of the area of glass involved in these door systems, safety features must be incorporated in accordance with building code to reduce injuries in the event of a person accidentally falling against the doors and the pane of glass breaking. This usually means using toughened or laminated glass to meet with building code requirements.
Sliding folding doors are used quite often in restaurants. Weather permitting the doors can be pushed to one side to form an opening allowing access onto a terrace for example. When the weather turns bad again the doors system can quickly and effortlessly be drawn closed again, making the premises weather tight and secure.
Aluminium is probably the most commonly used material for the main framing due to its lightweight and inherent strength, although these doors are also available in PVC and wood. Aluminium is probably more expensive but by far the better option.
These door systems are without doubt an excellent investment for any building.