Frameless glass sliding doors

Frameless glass sliding doors are aluminium patio doors designed with a minimal amount of framing.  These modern and highly-engineered sliding doors are ideal for home improvement projects where the thinnest possible doors are required or for floor-to-ceiling doors and windows.

Information about frameless glass sliding doors.

It is important to understand the construction of frameless glass sliding doors as there is some confusion, especially online as to what constitutes a frameless product.  Many sliding doors are marketed as frameless however they possess both an aluminium outer frame and aluminium around the sliding panels.

All frameless sliding doors require some aluminium framing, therefore, no sliding door is entirely frameless.  Aluminium framing still plays a vital part in these frameless sliding doors for many good reasons.

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Frameless Doors and Windows
  • To provide a location, fixing position and locking points for the door locking system.
  • To enable door handles to have a secure fixing point.
  • To enable colour choice.
  • To provide protection to the glass unit edges.
  • To assist in the overall structural integrity of the product.

These slim-framed aluminium sliding doors can be frameless thanks to the various methods with which they can be installed.  One of these is recessing the frame into the wall to conceal it, leaving just he door panel visible.  The result is a near frameless appearance.

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The huge appeal of frameless glass sliding doors is their very thin sight lines. The sight line is typically at the door mullion with many systems ranging from 17mm or more.  You can find out who makes the slimmest sliding doors if finding the thinnest possible door is one of your requirements.

What is a good frameless glass sliding door?

All modern systems available today offer good design, excellent weather performance, high security and a choice of door style and configuration.  With good sliding doors, you can expect stainless steel components and hardware, toughened glass, smooth-running sliding panels and a secure locking mechanism.

Where more premium sliding door system will differ is better quality components, a bigger choice of door furniture, wider and taller panel sizes and a wide range of possible uses.  Sliding doors can work internally or externally in the home.  Source from an experienced installer with years of experience and you will get an innovative glass sliding door that will give many years of reliable service.

Where can you use frameless glass sliding doors?

The most common use of these thin aluminium sliding doors is external to create floor-to-ceiling glazing, as doors in a new extension, or sliding doors to replace the outgoing old door.  For enhancing a living space or creating an impressive glass room, these slim sliding panels are ideal.

As well as external use, they can be used as a room divider, within a conservatory or new glazed extension. Simply put, they are suitable for use internally or externally like any other type of door.

Thanks to their engineering and design, frameless glass sliding doors at the biggest sizes are effortless to slide and use.  There are even ways of automating the sliding door so they open and close at the touch of a button or by remote control.

Where can you buy aluminium frameless sliding doors?

It is very important to choose a door installer that has expertise in these types of sliding doors as well as bifolding doors and complex installations.  Any good sliding door company should be able to demonstrate their experience through a good portfolio of installations, customer testimonials, certification and accreditation.

The installation of these doors differs from a conventional aluminium patio door bifolding door.  A frameless glass door is manufactured around the glass and glazed doors are difficult to handle without expertise and/or special handling equipment.  Regular patio doors are designed to arrive on site unglazed with the glass being one of the last things to be fitted with the product.

These frameless glass door will either be supplied and fitted by the company that manufactures them, or they will be purchased from an experienced trade supplier.  The trade supplier route does not necessarily imply a more complicated supply chain.  Some customers will like their installer to also be the manufacturer, however, the vast majority of the door industry does not manufacture and buys-in all its products.

What types of frameless sliding doors are available?

Our research shows a large number of British and European sliding door systems available on the market.  One of the most dominant in the UK is Cortizo Systems of Spain.   Many of the top brands in the UK are original or re-engineered Cortizo system doors marketed under different brand names.  This is nothing to be concerned about as many companies choosing one strong brand indicates just how good Cortizo systems are and the trust these specialist door installers place on their aluminium systems company.  All doors based on the Cortizo system are made in the UK.

IQ Glass is another excellent company providing slim framed sliding glass doors.   Doors from IQ Glass are premium sliding doors with a very thin 21mm mullion. Some version of the doors available from IQ Glass is available in moving panels of up to 12m2.

Sunflex is very well known in the UK for providing high-end windows and doors.  In the Sunflex range, you will find a big range of sliding doors including a frameless glass door in their SF20 system. While the SF20 is intended for non-thermal use, internal room dividers or balcony enclosures, other types of doors are also available.

There are many other brands of frameless sliding doors available from Schuco, Origin, Arkhay Windows, Everglade Windows and others. Contact us if you would like help with a local supplier.

If you are looking for internal glass sliding doors, a range of frameless interior sliding doors is available from Go Glass of Cambridge.  The interior doors from Go Glass, are frameless all round, creating full glass internal doors, suspended from a top track. A similar interior sliding door is available from Spaceslide, another well-known brand.

How much does a frameless sliding door cost?

A typical two panel sliding door, approximately 2400x2400mm can cost more than ÂŁ8000 although prices do vary substantially based upon specification, sizes, location and many other factors.  We recommend you avoid budget prices and seek a firm quotation from a professional company.  Contact us for further information and advice on frameless glass sliding doors.

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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
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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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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
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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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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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Giorgia SiriacoGiorgia Siriaco
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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
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!
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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.
Paul SalterPaul Salter
22:39 22 Aug 22
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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