Sliding Patio Doors: Stylish, Practical, and Perfect for Modern Living
October 21, 2025
News
There’s something wonderfully straightforward about sliding patio doors. While other types of patio doors have their place, sliding glass doors offer a simplicity that many homeowners find appealing. They don’t swing out into your garden or fold back into your room – they just glide smoothly along their track, getting out of the way when you want them open and sitting neatly in place when closed.
They suit all sorts of properties, from modern new builds to renovated period houses, and they work particularly well in spaces where you want a clean, uncluttered look. Unlike French doors that need clearance to swing open, sliding doors operate with minimal effort and take up virtually no additional space.
At North East Bifolds, we’ve been manufacturing and installing aluminium sliding patio doors for years. We’ve fitted them in compact terraced houses where every inch matters, in spacious detached homes with generous gardens, and in everything in between.
We’ve written this piece to explain exactly what they are and what they could offer to your home.
What Are Sliding Doors?
Sliding patio doors consist of large glass panels set in aluminium frames that glide horizontally along a track system. Typically, one or more panels slide past fixed panels, allowing you to open your living area to your garden or patio without any door swing.
The Benefits of Sliding Patio Doors
Space-Saving Design
Traditional external doors need room to swing, which means you must keep floor space clear both inside and outside. With sliding doors, the door panels move parallel to the wall.
This makes them an ideal solution for smaller properties or rooms where space is tight. You can place furniture right up to the door area without worrying about blocking the opening. Outside, you can position patio furniture, plant pots, or garden features close to the doors without them getting in the way when you want to come in and out.
For dining rooms that lead to the garden, this is particularly useful. Your dining table can sit near the doors without any awkward shuffling of chairs when someone wants to go outside. In kitchens, you can make full use of the space without having to accommodate door swings in your layout.
Indoor-Outdoor Flow
Sliding glass doors create a genuine connection between your living area and outdoor space. The large glass panels give you clear views of your garden throughout the year, making you feel more connected to the outdoors even when the doors are closed.
When the weather’s good and you slide the doors open, the boundary between inside and outside practically disappears. This seamless transition changes how you use your home, encouraging you to spend more time moving between spaces.
For entertaining, this flow is invaluable. Guests can move freely between your indoor and outdoor areas without the awkwardness of navigating through a narrow doorway. The wide opening created by sliding doors makes your whole space feel more generous and welcoming.
Natural Light and Views
The large glass panel design of sliding doors means maximum natural light floods into your home. Because aluminium frames are so strong, the frame thickness can be kept minimal, meaning more glass and less obstruction.
This abundance of natural light makes rooms feel more spacious and welcoming. It’s particularly valuable in north-facing rooms or properties where light is limited.
The uninterrupted views are equally important. Rather than looking out through small panes divided by mullions, you get clear sightlines to your garden or outdoor areas. For properties with attractive gardens or pleasant outlooks, sliding doors really let you appreciate the view.
North East Bifolds Sliding Door Systems
Our aluminium sliding patio doors are manufactured in-house, giving us complete control over quality. We can create sliding doors for openings from 1.2 metres wide up to 9 metres, with heights reaching 2.5 metres. This flexibility means we can accommodate everything from modest openings to substantial glass walls.
The configuration can be tailored to your space – typically with one or two panels sliding past one or two fixed panels, depending on the width of your opening and how you want the doors to function. We also offer various interlock sizes (where the panels meet), ranging from 20mm to 90mm.
Our range of colours includes classic options like white and anthracite grey, as well as bold black for a contemporary statement. We can also match any RAL colour, so if you have specific requirements to coordinate with existing features, we can accommodate.
Finding Your Perfect Sliding Door Solution
Sliding doors offer a practical, stylish solution that works for many properties and situations, particularly where space is at a premium or where you want a modern look with clean lines.
If you’re considering sliding patio doors for your North East home, we’d be happy to discuss your specific requirements and our door options. You can:
- Call us on 0191 581 3987
- Email us at sales@northeastbifolds.co.uk
- Use our online contact form
Frequently Asked Questions
How do sliding doors compare with bifold doors for security?
All our sliding and bifold doors use the same EROS 3 Star Cylinder lock system, which offers some of the highest levels of security on the market for true peace of mind. The key difference is that sliding doors have fewer moving parts, which some people feel offers additional reassurance. Both types provide excellent security features when properly manufactured and installed.
Are aluminium sliding doors energy efficient?
Our aluminium doors feature thermal breaks and high-quality double glazing, offering excellent energy efficiency. The thermal breaks in the aluminium frames prevent heat transfer, while high quality double glazing provides great thermal performance.
How much maintenance do sliding patio doors need?
Very little. Aluminium doors are low maintenance – they won’t rot, warp, or need repainting. Simply clean the glass and frames with soapy water when needed, brush out the track occasionally, and apply a light lubricant to the rollers once or twice a year to ensure smooth operation.