Frameless entrance doors for homes and commercial buildings

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Nick Dardalis

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If you are looking for a contemporary internal door you should pay some attention to frameless glass entrance doors.  Any type of home can benefit from having a glass door fitted that comprises no frame at all.  Also referred to as glass door leaves, glass doors with patch fittings or simply frameless doors, there are several areas in the home where these can provide benefits.

The Advantages of Frameless Entrance Doors

many doors fitted internally  such as these to a conservatory are the same as external doors.
Many doors fitted internally such as these to a conservatory are the same as external doors.

It is worth bearing in mind that many window companies that provide any kind of internal room divider, porch door or connecting door in aluminium or PVCu, simply use products intended for external use. These products are basically identical to those fitted as external doors with the same frames and door leaves.

Some may choose to modify these to work better inside the home such as recessing the patio or french door threshold into the floor. Other products such as hinged or bifolding doors are also used internally and may be adapted with lower thresholds.

Therefore one advantage of these frameless doors is that they are significantly more discreet when compared to these standard doors and screens. There are specialist doors available specifically for internal use but these are generally not offered by typical home improvement firms.

So how can these types of doors offer more than the standard offerings of window companies?

Porches

Traditional suburban homes, three bed bay fronted semi detached houses and Victorian/Edwardian homes often feature a porch or canopy where the main door sits behind it. Many people have opted to simply add a standard PVCu or aluminium door to these types of porches to create a sealed, warmer and more functional entrance porch.

Frameless entrance doors are perfect for these types of porches. Not only do they allow far more light into your hallway and entrance porch generally, but they can actually enhance your home.

Where many of these houses feature their original timber doors or other type of high quality wood door, a fully glazed frameless porch keeps your feature door in view and unlike typical PVCu or aluminium porches will not partially or fully conceal it.

But importantly, where many standard and typical porches are quite intrusive and visible, constructing a glass porch does away with any kind of bulky frame altogether.

Glass doors for Hallways.

If your home is one with a larger than usual hallway or one that is quite long frameless doors can bring advantages.

Often a hallway doesn’t have a primary use but installing a frameless entrance door can enable hallways to be divided as required. Perhaps you can separate it into a dedicated area at the front for coats, boots and bags and the rest of the space kept for another use.

Internal glass doors and room dividers.

There are many typical bay front semi detached houses where the dining room sits behind the sitting room. Many homeowners have opted to knock out the dividing wall and create one open plan living dining space.

It is worth considering frameless doors here or in any other large room. They enable you to again divide the rooms when required but with no loss of light compared to timber or panelled internal doors. Better still, because these glass doors are so slim even when shut they will give the illusion that there is nothing there at all.

These types of doors we recommend as internal room dividers whether you want to simply add more functionality to a larger room, connect your home to your conservatory or dining room.

What other options are available with frameless internal glass doors?

You can choose from either Manual or self closing doors. The manual door will simply open and close on its hinges. If you are feeling more ambitious you can opt for hidden closers in the floor, also known as floor springs. These offer control to your doors enabling them to self close and even stay open at 90 degrees if required.

The other big advantage to these doors is you can have a smaller than usual threshold or no threshold at all. These doors can easily be provided with zero threshold simply enabling your floor level to continue under the doors as normal giving you a totally flush floor and door.

These doors unlike other PVCu or aluminium doors are also provided with glass handles, discreet “patch” fittings and create a glass wall effect.

What about shops and commercial buildings?

These types of doors are also ideal in offices and shops. They can be used to create flexible space remaining open and discreet when an open plan feel is required or closing to provide privacy for meetings or staff interviews.

Frameless Glass Curtains Ltd are a specialist manufacturer, supplier and installer of frameless glass bifolding doors that have been installed nationwide in many different types of homes and properties. If you would like more information about these product and how they can work in your home or other property, please contact us.

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Andrew DOBSONAndrew DOBSON
16:42 30 Oct 23
Nick responded incredibly quickly to my enquiry (on a Saturday too!), and was able to offer invaluable advice on both aluminum systems and manufacturer / suppliers. Thanks Nick!
chris steerchris steer
16:18 09 Oct 23
Had a meeting with Nick during the grand designs show. Was extremely helpful and professional would highly recommend
Chris WesthorpChris Westhorp
19:55 13 Sep 23
Extremely helpful with pointing us in the right direction to find the products we required and suggesting firms that could reliably fit them.Nick was quick to reply and very detailed in his advice.Highly recommend reaching out to them.
Cathy GreenwoodCathy Greenwood
07:03 11 Sep 23
Update - A second email to nick for help on bifolds resulted in a detailed informative reply even on a Sunday ! This guy is so knowledgable and helpful .I approached Nick for an independent view on sliding doors v bifold and the different brand options . His reply was extremely detailed and prompt and allowed me to navigate this often confusing world in a much more informed way . Thanks so much Nick
Anthony CraigAnthony Craig
12:45 05 Sep 23
This is a must site for anyone looking for advice. Great service and very quick answers to questions. Nick has been of great help quiding us through the maze of aluminium products. Thank you
Philip DuffieldPhilip Duffield
20:24 26 Jul 23
I contacted Nick @ ATS for guidance on what aluminium sliding door systems would be suitable for an opening in an extension that is going to be both wide and tall. He came back really quickly with very detailed and incredibly helpful advice. He is clearly extremely knowledgeable about the systems on the market and their respective features and capabilities. If you’re feeling a bit lost by the overwhelming range of choices out there, I’d definitely recommend contacting him.
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Nick's advice is great. He is always quick to respond and spends time on responses, which really help to make an informed decision.
Alan FosterAlan Foster
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Absolutely fantastic. Asked for advice about replacing Crittall (?) windows late last night and early this morning received 3 great suggestions and contact information for suppliers
Rachel LauRachel Lau
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Fantastic website full of valuable and pragmatic advice about product selection and comparison: no other website gives information like this. Truly written for public interest. Don't hesistate to reach out to Nick via the mailing system. He responds very quickly, is friendly, and has very sound and high knowledgable advice. I have already shared this with my friend planning her own grand design.
guard Charlieguard Charlie
12:28 14 May 23
I emailed this company just on the off chance they could help me with new magnetic sliders for my patio door. They were not able to supply those but were so very helpful providing me with the name of a company who could. I am so very grateful at the great service. Dare say customers must be very happy. thank you so much.
Benjamin LewisBenjamin Lewis
10:06 04 May 23
Nick is very helpful indeed. Extremely knowledgeable on bifolds which was in relation to my query. Great website as well, some very useful articles. Particularly appreciated the article that lists all the major bifold options in order of their sightlines! Thank you!
P JonesP Jones
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I asked Nick some questions about an installation we were considering and he replied within hours with some very useful suggestions that will probably lead us to using a different make and supplier. Thanks, Nick. Great work.
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Looking for fair and honest expert advice on all aspect of aluminium windows and doors? These guys will arm you with all the information you need to make the RIGHT choice in a highly complex, crowded marketplace. post a question and you will get a very quick professional answer you can rely on being based on fact. Thanks guys!
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After a lot of research to find doors that would meet our unusual size requirements and feeling increasingly uncertain about the best way to spend our small budget, I stumbled on the ATS website, and I'm so glad I did! I contacted ATS to request advice and Nick promptly replied with a wealth of information, providing us with options and relevant contact details. I only wish I'd found them sooner!
Carol NortonCarol Norton
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I've been so confused about how to achieve the look I'm after, and going round in circles with various window/door companies, trying to get away from the huge chunks of plastic currently around my windows. I didn't expect an email to a company found through a Google search to really help - but I was desperate, so I tried. I'm SO glad I did. Finally I have clear explanations from ATS of where I've been going wrong, exactly what I'm looking for, and a list of local companies that might be able to provide it! The response has excelled my expectations and I feel as if I'm finally inching closer to a home with which I'll be happy and comfortable: thank you.
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It is rare that I write reviews, however after my very positive communication with Nick - enquiring about suitable slim sash aluminium windows for my project, I felt that a review was definitely warranted. I can reinforce the many positive reviews posted so far, Nick was very quick to respond, providing comprehensive detail, with excellent independent advice.In summary, great service, thank you Nick.
Chantal AuerbachChantal Auerbach
13:04 09 Mar 23
Nick from Aluminium Trade Supply was incredibly helpful informative and pleasant to deal with. He responded quickly to emails and was very knowledgeable. Highly recommend being in touch with Nick if you are considering new aluminium windows or doors.
Lee JonesLee Jones
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I dropped Nick at Aluminium Trade Supply an email re high security slim sightline bi-folds and their alternatives and he responded that quickly (and so comprehensively) that I felt bad I’d not paid him for his time!Nick Sir your product knowledge is outstanding and you are providing a level of service that goes wayyyy above and beyond expectations. I’ll definitely make sure I mention Aluminium Trade Supply to anyone I encounter looking for a fenestration solution 🙏🏼
G JG J
15:13 13 Feb 23
We are looking to replace some old UPVC patios doors with aluminium ones. The ATS website is a great source of advice in an area where clear information is sorely lacking. Having used the website, I then followed this up with a number of specific questions relating to our search, and Nick came back very quickly with clear, detailed and very useful advice.I have been very impressed with both the website and with Nick's advice. My only regret is that I didn't come across ATS before replacing various windows in 2021 - I'm sure it would have saved me a lot of grief and money! Thanks again Nick.
Azza McCabeAzza McCabe
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So impressed with this company.Responded to my query quickly andgave valuable advice. Nick was extremely helpful and we were able to move forward with our project.
Adri LoloçiAdri Loloçi
11:21 08 Jan 23
Nick was super fast to respond and provided some great recommendations. I would recommend this website to anyone looking to find bifold or sliding aluminium doors.
Stephen HoustonStephen Houston
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Looking for aluminium crittall style internal door and external patio French doors. Noted good reviews and thought would ask for advice. Comprehensive reply with excellent independent advice and lists of fitters who could provide products and installation. Great service.
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08:25 21 Dec 22
Nick from Aluminium Trade Supply has been extremely helpful with navigating the jungle that is aluminium glazing for our upcoming extension project. His advice was prompt, detailed and always impartial. Very grateful for your input, thanks Nick!
Amanda BurtonAmanda Burton
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Brilliant website and an excellent service. Nick provided not only detailed advice and supplier contacts, but highlighted the considerations of various products so I could make an informed choice. Our Sunvista minimal sliders were fitted this week and I couldn't be happier, stunning. Thanks once again for your advice and recommendations, invaluable!
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Nick has been very helpful on signposting me to a number of partner organisations for steel/aluminium doors.
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My experience with this firm was exceptionally good and this is notalways the case as a female, dipping a toe into technical waters.I was spoken too with courtesy and at a level that helped me consolidate what was needed .On top of that I was given a list of companies and places where I could obtain the type of product I needed.I could not thank them enough and would certainly go there again and reccommend others do too.
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Contacting Aluminium Trade Supply is like contacting the Oracle direct. Advice is always comprehensive and balanced. On multiple occasions they have provided me with options that fully meet our objectives. Many thanks.
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