SUNFLEX sliding doors review

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Nick Dardalis

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There are many quality sliding patio doors on the market from many good brands, but SUNFLEX sliding doors provide probably the best of all worlds when it comes to sliding doors as a replacement for any dated patio doors or for a new extension. With a choice of sightlines, excellent overall design, the renowned Sunflex brand name and peace of mind in coming from some of the best door and window companies, Sunflex sliding doors are beautiful, functional, desirable and recommended. In this review we focus on the three sightline models available.

Sunflex sliding doors
sunflex grey sliding doorjpg e1543124113292

A choice of 20mm, 30mm or 83mm mullion sightlines, the ability to stack fully flush and a better overall appearance than bonded sliding doors makes Sunflex one of the best sliding doors you can buy and highly recommended.

Editor's Rating:
5

Pros

  • The flush stacking design
  • Sunflex reputation and quality
  • A simpler better door with a 20mm mullion
  • Inline or lift and slide design

Cons

  • Not available trade supply only

The SVG range of SUNFLEX sliding doors.

Our review focuses on the design, size capability and technical aspects of the products as well as where to use them. Several compelling reasons make SUNFLEX sliding doors this door worthy of consideration with systems such as Reynaers, Schuco and even the very latest ultra-slim sliding patio doors.

Made in the UK exclusively by Sunflex UK, SUNFLEX sliding doors use premium grade aluminium with polyamide thermal break, insulating the aluminium profiles. The aluminium profiles are then coated with a professionally applied colour finish in a choice of over 150 RAL colours, including dual colours, giving an alternative colour outside and inside.

Designed for double or triple glazing, Sunflex doors offer excellent thermal performance, weather protection, and their high-specification components ensure a light, smooth and reliable sliding action. The doors come in a standard inline sliding design with a push/pull operation and also come with the latest lift and slide design, offering additional features and alternative handle styling.

Within the SUNFLEX range are three models, essentially using the same frame profiles but differing at the all-important middle mullion. The SVG20 comes with an ultra-slim 20mm mullion or interlock, the SVG30 has a thin 30mm dimension, and then there is the SVG83 model with an 83mm mullion, offering a bolder or classically styled appearance and designed for when you need the largest possible sliding panels.

Four different handle options provide choices available in matching or , contrasting colours and satin stainless steel. Door colour options include grey or black colours as well as the full range of RAL colours or different colours inside and out.

Many common features are available across the entire SUNFLEX sliding doors range.

The flush stacking design

Few sliding doors on the market offer the option to open and stack flush fully. Other sliding doors fully open have a staggered opening with one panel partially in front of the other.

picture of open and stacked sliding doors
Few sliding door products open and stack fully flush.

SUNFLEX sliding doors, whether you choose the SVG20, SVG30 or SVG83, all come with this option. The benefit is a neater-looking door when fully open, giving you more of the available structural opening.

This feature is only available where the door locks from the inside only, although a standard opening comes when you want to unlock the doors from the outside.

High security and tested to the latest performance standards

All sliding door models are tested to the latest security requirements, such as Secured by Design â„¢ . You’ll get multipoint locking, security cylinders, robust sliding door handles and glass secured from the inside. Overall, SUNFLEX sliding doors provide a modern and secure sliding door proposition fitted with latest generation hardware, and good security features throughout.

The locking system on these doors has a five-point lock with mushroom headed cams, ensuring a tight seal and optimum locking point. Other security enhancements include internal glazing preventing removal of the glass from outside. The sliding panels also have an anti-lift feature. This prevents anyone forcing the panels up off the track.

Toughened glass comes as standard with the doors with laminated glass upgrade available.  

Flush sliding door tracks

Pocket and open corner sliding doors

All the sliding door models come with the option of a pocket sliding design, disappearing into a wall with the same flush stacking capability. Alternatively, the open corner design is either fully supported via a cantilevered roof or with a separate structural post.

Some of the best-looking steel-look sliding doors

There is no dedicated steel-look sliding door on the market. Instead door designers and manufacturers take a system and customise it with applied bars to the glass and using specially made glass units.

The SVG20 model in particular creates visually appealing doors in the steel look, thanks to its neat styling, thin mullions and overall great design.

SUNFLEX SVG20 Sliding Doors

svg20 wickhamway 002
The SVG20 offers the popular 20mm mullion with a slimmer and neater look.

The slimmest sliding door at the mullion within the SUNFLEX sliding doors range is the SVG20 model. This offers arguably one of the most compelling sliding door with 20mm mullion propositions compared with the more complex bonded sliding door brands such as Cortizo and arguably better styling.

Ultra-slim sliding patio doors are the newest type of product on the market offering sightlines from 17mm up to 35mm or more.  These super thin, structurally bonded doors cost more and come with other manufacturing and installation considerations.  Conventional sliding doors like the SVG30 or 83 are dry glazed meaning unlike the ultra-slim doors, glazing is done on site, not in the factory.

The other visual consideration with structurally bonded patio doors, as good as they are, is the very deep interlock. It might look nice and slim face on, but projects deeper internally, often by up to 150mm or more. This is for structural reasons as well as acting as a door handle with many systems.

SUNFLEX SVG20 sliding doors look slim when viewed from any angle and offer a much better-looking door at the all-important middle mullion.

SUNFLEX SVG30 Sliding Doors

slimline patio doors
With a still slim interlock is the more affordable SVG30.

With a 30mm interlock, the SVG30 offers a far simpler-made yet premium sliding door.  Structurally-bonded products such as the Infiniglide 6 Sliding Door, Alumen Cor-Vision Plus, and Schuco ASS70 PD Panorama all offer 24mm and 30mm interlocks.  Even the Express Bifolds slim door products you’ll find may cost more with a similar sightline.

Therefore, a product like the SVG30 offers similar thin sight lines of the much more expensive structurally bonded products at far less cost and in our view, looks aesthetically similar without the deep projecting mullion. See both types of doors and we think you’ll agree, there is not much difference.

The choice of the product mainly comes down to the sizes of the doors and the technical capability. If sight lines are important in choosing a sliding door or a bifolding door, both the SVG30 and SVG83 provide thinner aluminium sight lines than even the 115mm sight line SUNFLEX bifolding doors lead the market with.

SUNFLEX SVG83 Sliding Doors

sunflex sliding patio door
The SVG83 contemporary sliding door offers a bold look.

Offering a bolder a more prominent style are the SVG30 doors within the SUNFLEX sliding doors range and the advantage of these is their large size capability.

For those embarking on a Grand Designs type extension with bigger sliding door panels, then the SVG83 goes up to 3.2m high – again subject to technical considerations.

Do not discount doors with a thicker middle mullion – often this can be exactly the look you need across a larger sized opening.

open corner sliding doors
SUNFLEX sliding patio doors designed as a frameless open corner and with a flush triple track threshold.

SUNFLEX sliding doors review – conclusion

With premium manufacturing quality, a high-end overall style, a great brand reputation and available from professional home improvement firms, SUNFLEX sliding doors are a fantastic investment, whether you are looking to replace dated door or need the best possible look for a new extension.

SUNFLEX installers are all carefully vetted and approved by the manufacturing company, providing peace of mind that these advanced doors come with a professional installation, a quality guarantee and the exclusivity you only get with doors made only by one company.

We can help put you in touch with SUNFLEX sliding doors installers near you, use our contact form to get in touch.

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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
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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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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
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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
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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
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
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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!
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.
David NunnDavid Nunn
20:54 14 Mar 23
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!
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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
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Nick has been very helpful on signposting me to a number of partner organisations for steel/aluminium doors.
SUSAN wallaceSUSAN wallace
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.
Paul SalterPaul Salter
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Really helpful and useful came back to me on a Sunday with some invaluable information. Highly recommended.
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