How to fit aluminium sliding patio doors

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Nick Dardalis

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How you fit aluminium sliding patio doors depends on a number of factors. The type and size of the doors, their intended location and even your property all play a part.

Sliding doors are different in how they are installed compared to bifolding doors, French Doors or a new front door.  They also pose an entirely new set of challenges for an installer. Here’s some information about how to fit aluminium sliding patio doors.

How to fit aluminium sliding patio doors depending on the product

fit aluminium sliding patio doors in a new extension

There are many different sliding door systems.  There are simple two panel doors that are easy to fit, right up to six panel door sets and sophisticated minimalist and frameless sliding doors.  Every product is different in its construction and how it is gets delivered ready to fit.

Most door systems are designed to be supplied unglazed with the glass supplied loose. Unglazed doors are fitted first and glazed after. Larger doors may be structured around the glass arriving at your home as glazed panels in the aluminium.

A trained installer will be familiar with the different site conditions and what will be involved in fitting your new large sliding doors perfectly.  We take a look at some of the installation issues you are likely to encounter.

Why the patio door you buy affects it’s installation

The product determines how you fit aluminium sliding patio doors. Thin profile sliding doors in a minimal design are usually made around the glass and therefore handled as fully glazed doors.

The standard range of patio doors made without the glass, fitted and glazed on site are usually much simpler to install as the glass is handled separately.

Smaller sliders are naturally easier to handle but the larger you go the more complex the handling and installation. Professional installers use several methods when they fit aluminium sliding patio doors in order to make the process easier.

  • Extra labour may be needed to move and handle your doors
  • They may use specialist contractors and equipment to handle large glass panes
  • Deliveries may come direct to your home to minimise handling
  • The location of your doors can also affect what’s available for you to buy

Fitting sliding patio doors above ground floor level.

With many of us living in flats and apartments, older properties lend themselves well to having new sliding doors fitted.  However, installing a sliding door above ground floor level can require careful planning.  Sliding doors are bigger than regular doors and windows.

If your building has a lift, this will provide your installer convenience for taking tools, accessories, loose aluminium profiles and smaller items to your property.

The glass panels on sliding doors can be double the width of a French door or a bifolding door.  This glass may have to be taken using the stairs and will need careful handling. Your installer may have to allow for additional people just to offload and move the glass.

Some installers will prefer to use the services of a specialist glass handling and transport company.  Cranes or cherry pickers are available that lift the glass up to your property. Extra costs will be incurred, and the necessary Health and Safety procedures for safe handling and working will need to be strictly adhered to.

How your installer will fit aluminium sliding patio doors on building sites

If your property is in a new development and away from the main parking areas, in a city centre with no parking zones or other restrictions, special arrangements will need to be made.

You may require local authority consent for company vans to be given time to offload in no-stopping zones or be given designated parking permits.  In some cases, your street may be temporarily closed off to accept delivery of your sliding doors and glass if they are to be taken to your top floor apartment.

A good installer will already knowledgeable in the planning needed to fit aluminium sliding patio doors in new developments or building sites. They’ll have the necessary systems in place, pre-planning deliveries, access and installation.

Assembling aluminium sliding patio doors at your house

If your new sliding doors are the type that requires site assembly and glazing your installers will need an area of your home to work in and correctly assemble the frame and the track.   If your doors are in excess of five metres wide, most window company vans cannot accommodate these.  Therefore specialist transport companies will need to be employed.

If you live in a high-level property, assembling the doors can pose an even bigger challenge for the installer if there is a small balcony.  Understandably your installer may need to use the inside of your home as site conditions dictate.

A new aluminium sliding door will transform your home and is a very good investment. However, sliding doors are bigger, use heavier glass and require a different method of transportation, assembly and fitting. Your installer will want to work closely with you to ensure minimal disruption to you and a simplified installation for them.

A good installer should have all the knowledge and tools needed to fit aluminium sliding patio doors. You can also expect your property and any restrictions it may have to prevent you having certain products if they can’t be handled correctly.

Using a crane to lift your new sliding doors

With more and more of us going for grand sliding doors at the largest possible sizes, handling these doors becomes a specialist task. For the larger products, installers may outsource the lifting and handling of the doors to a specialist contractor.

These tasks are only for professional installers and usually the process is seamless, if more expensive. However, even the best-laid plans can go wrong when a set of sliding doors tipped a crane.

Summary and more information

Our advice is always to seek the services of a professional installer competent, confident and experienced in handling aluminium sliding patio doors of all types. So do your research, bearing in mind a professional installer may charge you more, but there’s usually a good reason why.

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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.
Dariush HekmatDariush Hekmat
17:25 19 Jul 23
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
07:51 12 Jul 23
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
09:24 16 Jun 23
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
08:07 15 Apr 23
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.
Nicholas WallNicholas Wall
13:18 02 Apr 23
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!
Giorgia SiriacoGiorgia Siriaco
16:25 21 Mar 23
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
10:01 17 Mar 23
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
20:21 22 Feb 23
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
17:47 01 Feb 23
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
16:16 03 Jan 23
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.
Inga GeachInga Geach
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
10:54 16 Dec 22
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!
Keith BarnesKeith Barnes
17:18 10 Dec 22
Very helpful advice given to my question, including the name of 3 different companies that i could try for the product being enquired about. Many thanks
Munim ChowdhuryMunim Chowdhury
11:45 13 Sep 22
Nick has been very helpful on signposting me to a number of partner organisations for steel/aluminium doors.
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17:26 31 Aug 22
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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