Slimline Patio Doors

Slimline patio doors are available as bifolding doors, sliding doors, and slide and turn doors. There are also products with a frameless appearance for glass rooms and glazed extensions. This article explains the different minimalist and slim frame patio doors products making the most of glass.

Slimline patio doors explained.

The variety of slimline patio doors and other glazed products address the need for garden access doors but having significantly thinner sightlines than fully-framed sliding doors. At the same time, these doors provide all the functionality, security and weather performance. Even more important with slimline patio door is the requirement for a lower profile threshold.

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Slimline Doors and Windows

The design of slimline patio doors is based around creating products with the bare minimum of visible aluminium. Most products come designed from the outset as slim frame patio doors. Others rely on being fixed into the structure, effectively hiding the frame from view. As a result, the frameless style suits new extensions better than using these doors as a replacement for existing doors.

Three benefits of choosing slimline patio doors

Aside from a thin profile and ultra-slim look, slimline patio doors provide three additional benefits.

  • Better U-Values by using more glass
  • Larger glass panels than standard framed patio doors and more light as a result
  • Better and less cluttered views looking through closed doors

It is hard to find slimline patio doors in materials other than aluminium or steel.  The inherent strength of these two metals allows for thinner profiles than PVCu, timber or hybrid patio doors. 

Even the fully framed systems rely on some aluminium as it’s essential for the fixing of locks and other hardware as well as providing a fixing point to the building.

All these thin and sleek patio doors feature thermally insulated frames, a high quality construction and little compromise on security or weather performance with a well-designed system.

Understanding what defines a slimline patio doors product

slimline patio doors in a contemporary cheshire home
Reynaers Hi-Finity sliding doors by Altitude Aluminium.

There are no standards defining slim frame patio doors. Generally speaking, these doors range from sliding doors having slimmer door mullions, as well as specifically designed as a thinner system.

What constitutes slimline is also down to individual preference and satisfaction with the product. As a guide, we recommend this criterial as slimline:

  • Any mullion profiles below 30mm or no visible mullions at all.
  • Narrow frame and door profiles below 75mm
  • A low threshold or one flush with the inner floors and outside decking or slabs
  • Products designed for fixing into the building structure hiding the frame from view
  • Any specific window designed and obviously frameless.

Choosing slim frame patio doors products

slim frame patio doors in a new extension
Vistaline by ID Systems is a slide and turn slimline patio doors product

The following products are available as doors with reduced or minimal sightlines and work as patio doors for the home.

Understanding what’s a slimline bifolding door

The slimmest bifold at the door mullions is the Sieger Lux, structurally bonded bifold with 30mm sightlines.

Bifolding doors are evolving and today are thinner than before. Choosing a slimline bifold door product means finding those with the smallest sightlines at the closed and meeting doors. There’s a substantial choice of folding sliding doors and you can find out who makes the thinnest bifolds covering all the major brands.

How to get slimline French Doors

aluminium crittall style door in black in a traditional house
Black Alitherm aluminium steel-look door supplied by Newlite Home Improvements, Sussex

The most slimline of French doors remains any of the steel look products in aluminium. It’s possible to configure these without the bars giving a full glass appearance. Do bear in mind you won’t find a super slimline version of French Doors unless it’s single glazed.

One of the most popular is the Smart Systems Alitherm range, airMOD French doors and the Aluco Aluminium range.

How frameless products are some of the best slimline doors

ultra slim patio doors
Frameless slide and turn doors with no visible mullions made by FGC

Frameless doors are arguably the most impressive amongst slimline patio door.  First of all, these doors have no visible mullion. You only see aluminium with the perimeter frame and top and bottom of the door panels.

Remember with many of these systems, some are only intended for outside use or where there is little requirement for thermal performance or weather protection.  Many of these frameless slimline doors come as single glazed for internal use or outside, non-weathered installations.

One outstanding product designed as a fit-for-purpose external quality door is Frameless Glass Curtains.  These offer certified security, a weather rating, thermally insulated frames and are one of the best on the market.

There are many other products available however these use aluminium or plastic cappings to the glass edges.

Why Sliding doors come with the most options.

grey sunvista ultra-slim patio doors in a new home
Sunvista doors come with 19mm mullion and the option of a full frameless installation.

Slim frame patio doors are commonly associated with sliding doors. Any sliding door with a 20mm mullion is widely regarded as minimal and there are slimmer products available too. Some of the slimmer sliding doors include Sunvista, Vitrocsa, Cortizo, Ultraglide and many other brands. Here is a comprehensive section all about different sliding doors to help you understand the product.

Do not assume thin sliding doors only come as the more expensive structural glazed product.  There are the standard type of inline or lift and slide patio doors also having thin mullions.  A good example is the SUNFLEX SVG20 with a 20mm mullion, the Visoglide from Smart Systems, also with a 30mm mullion. YES Glazing provice a 24mm slider and the Cero Sliding door is one of the best made with 35mm mullions.  Therefore your choice of a slimline door may be down to cost as well as your desired aesthetic.

One thing sliding doors offering a slim solution in the home is the thin mullion. Any door below a 50mm sight line at the interlocking mullion is suitable. You can also check out our unique article showing you who makes the slimmest sliding patio doors to help you decide.

Summary

Slimline and minimal framed patio doors will vary depending on your project requirements, budget as well as your desired function from your doors. Bear in mind these door types are at the top end of the price range with higher manufacturing and installation charges too.

We can help with slim frame patio door product suggestions and putting you in touch with suppliers near you.

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Andrew DOBSONAndrew DOBSON
16:42 30 Oct 23
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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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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!
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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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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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