Choosing the Best Sliding Doors | Materials, Cost and Guarantees

Sliding patio doors come in various styles and finishes, which can impact cost as well as the option that you choose for your home. To ensure you choose the best sliding doors for your space, you should ensure that you compare essential factors such as materials, cost, durability and even the guarantee available from the supplier.

Your sliding doors should last you for years to come, so it is important to know that you’re making the right investment.

What Are the Best Value Sliding Doors?

Choosing the best-value sliding door means focusing on features that deliver long-term performance and efficiency. High-quality systems should offer smooth operation, ideally with lift-and-slide mechanisms, multipoint locks, and toughened safety glass for enhanced security. Aluminium is highlighted as the best-value material thanks to its strength, low maintenance, and durability. Energy efficiency is essential: look for low U-values (1.6 W/m²K or below) and thermal breaks to reduce heat loss. Other value-adding features include durable tracks, effective weather seals, and a powder-coated finish for improved scratch resistance and longevity.

At Vufold, we offer three main aluminium ranges, each suited to different needs. Status sliding doors provide premium performance with PAS 24 security, 47mm sightlines, excellent energy efficiency (1.4 W/m²K), and a 15-year guarantee. COR Vision slimline doors offer ultra-minimal 20mm sightlines for maximum light and modern aesthetics, along with bonded glazing and U-values from 1.46 W/m²K. Supreme sliding doors combine sleek design, low-E double glazing, thermal breaks, and customisation options, backed by a 15-year guarantee.

Before choosing, consider warranty length, material benefits, preferred aesthetics, colour options, door size, and configuration. Our online configuration tool helps tailor a system to your space for the best overall value.

You can find out more about the best value sliding doors in our previous guide.

What is the Best Material for Sliding Glass Doors?

Sliding glass doors are available in several materials, each offering different strengths in appearance, performance, and maintenance. Aluminium is the most popular modern choice thanks to its strength, slim sightlines, and ability to support large panes for uninterrupted views. It is highly durable and requires very little maintenance. When fitted with thermal breaks and powder-coated for protection, aluminium offers excellent energy efficiency and long-lasting performance.

uPVC is the most affordable option and provides good insulation with minimal maintenance, though its thicker frames reduce glass area and it is less suitable for large openings. Timber delivers a warm, traditional aesthetic and strong insulation, but it needs regular care to protect against moisture and weathering. Composite frames combine materials, offering the durability of aluminium with the natural appeal of wood.

Aluminium is widely regarded as the most durable material, as it resists warping, swelling, and UV damage, making it ideal for the UK climate. It is particularly effective when combined with double glazing and thermal breaks for improved efficiency.

When choosing a material, consider durability, maintenance needs, energy performance, style, budget, and expected lifespan. Aluminium and timber offer long-term value, while uPVC provides a cost-effective, low-maintenance alternative.

You can find out more about sliding door materials in our previous guide here.

Our Supreme external sliding patio doors, available in a range of measurements and finishes. This 3m x 2.1m variant is perfect for creating uninterrupted outdoor views.

Why Should I Choose a Sliding Aluminium Door?

Aluminium sliding doors offer a range of advantages that make them a strong choice for modern homes. They are highly durable, resisting warping, rust and corrosion, and require very little maintenance. Their slim frames allow for larger glass panels, creating brighter interiors and a clean, contemporary aesthetic. Because they slide on a track, they also save space compared with hinged doors. Aluminium’s strength supports enhanced security, especially when paired with multi-point locks and laminated glass, while thermally broken frames help improve energy efficiency and lower heating costs.

Compared with uPVC and timber, aluminium provides the slimmest sightlines and the most modern appearance. It also delivers excellent long-term durability and low maintenance, though it typically costs more upfront. uPVC is budget-friendly and insulating but has thicker profiles, while timber offers a warm, natural look but requires regular upkeep and can be affected by moisture.

Before choosing aluminium doors, consider the quality of the frame, thermal performance, glazing type, locking systems, ease of operation and how the style suits your home. We offer three aluminium ranges: Supreme sliding doors, with 47mm sightlines and strong thermal performance; Status lift and slide doors, a lift-and-slide system designed for smooth operation and large openings; and COR Vision slimline sliding doors, featuring ultra-slim 20mm sightlines for maximum light and a minimalist finish.

Find out more about choosing the best aluminium sliding door here.

What are the Best Aluminium Sliding Doors?

Aluminium sliding doors are an excellent option for maximising light and creating a stylish, modern look. Their durability, resistance to warping and low-maintenance finish make them ideal for the UK climate. However, choosing the right style is key; at Vufold, we offer three distinct aluminium sliding door ranges to suit different budgets, aesthetics and performance needs.

• Supreme Inline sliding doors: our most affordable aluminium range, featuring slim 47mm sightlines and a choice of white, jet black or anthracite grey frames. Available with various opening configurations, optional laminated security glass and bottom track/cill upgrades. Prices start from £2,209.
• COR Vision Slimline sliding doors: designed for maximum glass area, these doors offer our slimmest sightlines at just 20mm. Ideal for modern homes seeking uninterrupted views and enhanced natural light. Available in grey, black or white, with optional dual colour. Prices range from £2,899 to £7,019.
• Status Lift-and-Slide doors: a premium system using a lift-and-slide mechanism for effortless operation, even with large panels. Available in jet black, anthracite grey, Hipca white and optional dual colour. Laminated security glass and external handles are also available . Prices start from just £3,089

When selecting the right aluminium door, consider sightline thickness, thermal performance, configuration options and how each style complements your home. With thoughtful design choices, our aluminium doors can enhance both modern and traditional properties.

Our COR Vision slimline sliding patio doors present our slimmest frames, allowing more natural light into your home.

What is the Best Type of Glass for a Sliding Door?

Choosing the right glass is essential for ensuring the safety, efficiency and comfort of aluminium sliding doors. Most high-quality external doors use double glazing as standard. Double-glazed units consist of two panes separated by an insulating gap, improving heat retention, reducing noise and increasing strength compared with single glazing.

For enhanced security, laminated glass is the strongest and safest option. It features a plastic interlayer between two panes, preventing the glass from shattering on impact and making it extremely difficult to break through, ideal for homeowners concerned about intruders or accidental damage. We offer laminated security glass as an optional upgrade in our Status and Supreme ranges.

Other glass types include tempered glass, which breaks into small, blunt fragments for improved safety, and solar-reflective glass, which helps keep interiors cooler in summer by reflecting solar heat while still letting in natural light.

Glass type also plays a major role in thermal efficiency. Double glazing, warm-edge spacers and argon gas fillings reduce heat transfer, while Low-E coatings reflect warmth back indoors. When combined with thermally broken aluminium frames, as used across our ranges, these glazing technologies deliver strong energy performance.

Find out more about choosing the best glass for your sliding doors here.

How Much Do Sliding Aluminium Doors Cost?

The cost of aluminium sliding doors varies widely depending on several key factors. Size has the biggest influence, with larger spans and additional panels increasing material and labour costs. Frame and glazing quality also affect pricing: aluminium frames are more durable and stylish than uPVC or timber, and double-glazing costs more but offers better thermal and acoustic performance. Extra security features, such as laminated security glass or advanced locking systems, add to the overall price, as do installation and delivery charges.

Typical price ranges:

• Supreme Inline sliding doors: from £2,209 (1.8m x 2.1m) to £5,189+ (5m x 2.1m; 6m on request). Optional extras include double opening, laminated glass, bottom track with cill, trickle vents, installation kits.
• COR Vision Slimline doors: from £2,899 to £7,019+ depending on size. Optional extras include double opening, bottom track with cill, trickle vents, installation kits.
• Status Lift & Slide doors: from £3,089 to £9,784 (up to 6m). Optional extras include: laminated glass, external key-locking handle, cill nose, trickle vents, installation kits.

We also offer bespoke pricing, allowing customers to choose custom sizes, colours and optional upgrades.

Find out more about sliding door costs here.

Our Status aluminium sliding doors come in sizes as big as 6m x 2.1m for better views and more natural light.

Sliding Patio Door Guarantees

Sliding patio doors typically come with a manufacturer’s warranty, though coverage varies by supplier. Most reputable brands offer around 10 years of protection for the main aluminium frame, with separate guarantees for glazing, hardware and surface finishes. These warranties usually cover manufacturing defects but exclude issues caused by poor installation, lack of maintenance or accidental damage.

Our guarantees cover your entire sliding door unit, and include:

• 10-year cover on aluminium frames, glazing and hardware
• Up to 15 years on powder-coated finishes
• 10-year guarantee on COR Vision slimline aluminium sliding doors (five years on glazing).

Common problems that can affect sliding doors over time include:

• Sticking panels due to dirty tracks, worn rollers or misalignment
• Track or roller wear causing grinding or wobbling
• Faulty locks and handles
• Condensation between glazing panes (failed sealed units)
• Draughts from worn seals
• Frame warping, especially in older or timber doors
• Cosmetic issues such as scratches or fading finishes

Replacing a sliding patio door in the UK typically costs £1,350–£3,550, depending on material, glazing and installation. Our aluminium doors start from £2,209, with the affordable Supreme range available in multiple modern colours.

Warranties usually cover faults related to hardware failure, glazing defects, frame issues and premature coating deterioration.