Home Renovations in the Summer | Could Sliding Patio Doors Be What You’re Looking For?

Are you dreaming of a home that feels more open, bright, and connected to the outdoors? Installing

sliding patio doors is a fantastic way to transform your home, providing stunning views but also creating a seamless transition between your indoor rooms and outdoor spaces. If you’re building an extension or conservatory just in time for the summer months, sliding doors could be what you’re looking for.

This month (April 2026), we conducted a survey into homeowners’ attitudes to sliding doors and found that 57% said they were likely to consider sliding patio doors for future renovations, extensions or conservatory projects. Struggling to find the perfect doors for your project? Explore our guide below.

Why Sliding Patio Doors Are Perfect for Summer Renovations

When adding an extension to your home or carrying out renovations in time for the summer months, you’re looking for a space that helps you make the most of the sunny weather and longer days. A lot of this enjoyment can stem from the doors you choose, transforming how you experience your home and garden. Sliding doors can be an excellent choice, making outdoor living a natural extension of your indoor space.

The entrance from your garden to your home, especially during the summer, needs to be seamless and effortless, which can be easily achieved with sliding doors. In fact, we found that 71% of our respondents believe that sliding doors are the ideal choice for summer living, such as gardening, entertaining and relaxing outdoors. Sliding patio doors provide easy access to home extensions and conservatories alike, improving home aesthetic as well as practicality during the summer months.

Embracing Indoor-Outdoor Living

One of the main benefits of installing sliding patio doors into your home extension is the connection they create between your living space and your garden. They can invite the outdoors in with expansive views, making your home feel larger and more versatile, with the ability to make garden parties and quiet mornings feel simpler.

Whether you're hosting a summer barbecue or want to watch your children play outside from the comfort of your sofa, a sliding patio door makes it all possible. This connection to nature and the outdoors can significantly enhance your daily well-being and the overall enjoyment of your home. You can view our full collection of sliding patio doors here to make the right choice for your home renovation project.

Key Benefits of Modern Sliding Patio Doors

When choosing sliding patio doors this summer, consider the following benefits for your home, your outdoor space, and your lifestyle:

• More natural light and expansive views: an ideal trope in the summertime, our sliding patio doors at Vufold feature slim frames and large glass panels to present uninterrupted views and let more sunlight into your home. In our study, we found that 43% of people believe natural light was one of the major benefits of sliding doors.
• Thermally and energy efficient: modern sliding patio doors have U-values as low as 1.4W/m2k, which slows down heat transfer, making them perfect all year round. For the summer in particular, sliding patio doors can prevent overheating within the home.
• Space-saving function: what sets sliding doors apart from swinging doors is their ability to save space in your home and outdoor space when open. This makes them the ideal choice for smaller patios and gardens.
• Easy to operate: because they slide on a track, sliding patio doors are the perfect choice for homeowners of all ages and abilities. Garden parties and BBQs can go on without a fiddly, hard-to-operate door!
• Aesthetic appeal: if you’re upgrading your home with an extension, sliding doors fit seamlessly into a contemporary setting, with aluminium slimline frames available in a variety of finishes.
• High security: glass patio doors are often viewed as a hazard because they are easy to smash. Modern sliding patio doors, including ours at Vufold, come with an option for laminated security glass, which can deter thieves and give you extra peace of mind.

Ready to complete your summer renovation? Discover our sliding patio door range here.

Understanding Sliding Patio Door Sizes and Customisation

Finding the right size of patio door for your extension is crucial. Sliding doors come in a range of sizes, but can also be custom fitted to suit your unique needs. Common sizes for sliding doors include:

• Small: 1.8m to 2.7m wide (typically two panels)
• Medium: 3m to 4m wide (typically two or three panels)
• Large: 4.5m to 6m wide (can feature three or four panels)

Our smallest Supreme aluminium sliding patio doors, measuring 1.8m x 2.1m.

Our mid-sized COR Vision sliding doors, featuring our slimmest sightline, measuring 3m x 2.1m

Our Status aluminium sliding patio doors come in a variation of finishes, pictured here in one of our larger sizes (5m x 2.1m).

Sometimes, these standard sizes won’t work. Whether you’re working with an older property or constructing a larger extension, custom sizes are available. With bespoke sliding door options, you aren’t limited by conventional dimensions, and you can design a system that matches your vision.

Create your bespoke sliding patio doors here.

Security and Safety Features of Sliding Patio Doors

When installing large glass doors, security is a big concern for most homeowners. Expansive glass panes may be attractive for thieves to easily break down, but with modern sliding doors, this isn’t an option. Most, if not all, sliding patio doors are fitted with robust locks, and you have the option to add laminated security glass. This can deter thieves from breaking into your extension.

As ____% of the respondents in our survey listed security as a feature that matters most when choosing patio doors, we understand how important robust sliding doors are.

For your peace of mind and to ensure your renovation is compliant, it’s important that your new doors meet current building regulations; reputable manufacturers design their sliding doors to comply with all relevant UK standards, including those related to security, thermal performance, and safety. For instance, doors tested to PAS 24 provide assurance that they have met enhanced security performance requirements. Compliance with these regulations is not just a legal requirement, but a guarantee of quality and safety.

It's also important to be aware of local planning rules. While you typically do not need planning permission to replace existing doors, creating a new opening may require it. If your home is in a listed building, conservation area, or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), you will almost certainly need to get approval from your local authority before making any changes.

Choosing the Best Sliding Door Material

Choosing the right material for your new sliding patio doors is a key consideration. Your preferences, budget and needs all influence your decision, as well as the style you’re going for with your extension. Aluminium ticks many boxes, known for its durability, style and customisability. Consider our points below before making your decision:

• Cost: though initially more expensive upfront, aluminium sliding doors are much more beneficial in the long run, lasting longer and reducing the need for replacement in a few years. 43% of respondents in our survey said that cost is their biggest concern when choosing sliding patio doors, which shows the need for doors that justify the cost.
• Style and finish options: aluminium sliding door frames are easy to powder coat in various different finishes; at Vufold, our sliding doors come in white, anthracite grey and jet black, blending seamlessly into both modern and traditional settings.
• Durability: when choosing sliding doors for their durability, aluminium options are the obvious choice. They are highly resistant to warping, rotting and rust, and can last for more than 50 years if properly looked after. They are also incredibly weather-resistant, and won’t fade with UV exposure.
• Low Maintenance: aluminium sliding door frames require minimal maintenance, with only occasional cleaning needed.

If you need help with your home renovation, extension or conservatory, we’re here to assist. Browse our collection of easy-to-fit sliding patio doors here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do sliding patio doors usually cost?

Cost largely depends on the size and material you choose. Our smallest aluminium sliding doors cost £2,053, and our largest option costs £5,069. You can also build custom sliding doors, which may cost more.

What maintenance do sliding patio doors require?

Aluminium sliding patio doors only need a wipe with warm soapy water now and again, whereas timber or UPVC doors may need extra maintenance, such as repainting.

What popular designs or finishes are available in the UK?

Popular design options for aluminium patio doors in the UK include slimline frames that maximise the glass panels. Anthracite grey, black, and white are the most sought-after finishes for their modern and versatile style. Some homeowners also choose dual-colour options to match both their interior and exterior decor.

Author:

John Collins - Managing Director

About John Collins

John has built Vufold into a unique online door and window company and has spent 20 years bringing innovative products and designs to fruition, recognising niches in the market and placing them in the likes of Wickes and Travis Perkins, he started Vufold in order to sell them directly. John founded Vufold and has amassed a wealth of experience in product design and development, and in particular timber-based products

Read more about John Collins