How a sliding door works
Each sliding panel runs on rollers along a bottom track and is held upright by a head track at the top. Fixed panels stay where they are; sliding panels pass in front of or behind them. Because nothing swings, the door needs no clear floor space in front of it, inside or out.
The simplest door has two panels, one fixed and one sliding. Wider openings take three or four panels, and a four-panel door can open from the middle, with the two centre panels sliding apart.
Stacking doors
A stacking door is a sliding door with extra tracks. Each panel runs in its own track, so the panels slide behind one another and stack at one side. With three panels on three tracks, two thirds of the opening clears, and more panels open more of the wall.
Stacking doors are a good middle ground when you want a wider opening than an ordinary slider gives you but would rather not have folding panels.
Before you request a quote
A few decisions that make the quote match what you have in mind.
- Which panel opens. Decide which panel you will use every day and which side you want it to slide or stack to.
- Frame colour. Any colour is possible. If you are matching existing windows, have a photo or colour reference ready.
- Threshold. A low threshold is neat underfoot. A raised sill handles wind-driven rain better on exposed walls.
- Glass. Door glass must be laminated or toughened safety glass under SANS 10400 Part N.
- Security. If the door opens onto a garden or the street side of the house, ask about locking options and whether you will add a security gate.
Sliding doors we have installed
Sliding door questions
How wide can an aluminium sliding door be?
It depends on the opening and the number of panels. Wider openings take more panels or a stacking layout, and we work out the panel sizes from the measurements.
Can an old sliding door be replaced without changing the opening?
Usually, yes. The new frame is fitted into the existing opening and the plaster around it is made good afterwards. If the opening has to change, we will tell you when we measure.
How much looking after does a sliding door need?
Keep the bottom track clean so the rollers run freely, and rinse the frames with fresh water now and then, more often near the sea. Our guide to caring for aluminium near the sea covers the details.
Should I choose a sliding door or a folding door?
Sliding doors have fewer moving parts and need no space beside the opening. Folding doors open more of the wall. See sliding folding doors to compare.