Anyone involved in the home improvement world will recognise “uPVC vs aluminium” as one of the never-ending debates. There’s a good reason for this… which one is better? There is no correct answer. However, when it comes to choosing which material to have your new set of sliding doors engineered in, there are a myriad of factors and aspects worth weighing up. Luckily, that’s exactly what we intend to make you aware of in this very blog. Sliding doors have the potential to open and lighten up the home, but first it’s time to decide if uPVC or aluminium frames are best for you.
Different materials, same great sliding door action
The first thing to mention is that, regardless of whether you choose aluminium or uPVC, sliding doors installed by Halstead always offer Essex homeowners smooth sliding action, top energy efficiency, and beautiful outside views. We can fit them in any configuration of up to 4 panes, letting you enjoy a wide-opening span that can also double up as dividers whenever they face outwards. Being 80% glass and 20% frame means being able to enjoy maximum light entry too, truly opening up the back of your household to the natural beauty of your outside garden space. The lines being interior and exterior instantly become blurred.
Both materials are a great choice for anyone who wants to enjoy smooth sliding doors that keep your home energy efficient as well. This is thanks to subtle innovations like multi-chambered frames, double glazed frames, and an airtight fit, all of which ensures that any heat generated in the home has a tougher time escaping. This results in exceedingly low U-values (the rate of heat transfer) and the potential for your new sliding doors to contribute towards lower energy bills. uPVC and aluminium offer different strengths in this area, as we’ll get into deeper now…
Aluminium sliding doors – benefits explained
Aluminium is a highly thought of sliding door material simply due to how strong and thermally insulating it is. Whereas other materials have historically struggled to achieve a large strength-to-weight ratio in terms of the amount of glazing they are able to withstand, aluminium being the strongest means being able to enjoy sliding doors with slimmer sight lines, wider views, and a more generous amount of glazing.
Multi-point locking as standard ensures that any aluminium sliding door installed by Halstead always offers absolute peace of mind, and a polyamide thermal break inserted into the frame results in a significant reduction of heat transfer from the inside to outside. Finally, the last major aluminium sliding doors benefit is the generous number of RAL colours available, all of which come powder coated to stay vivid and beautiful for years to come.
- High strength-to-weight ratio
- Slim sightlines
- Polyamide thermal break improves energy efficiency
- U-values as low as 1.3 W/m2k
- Hundreds of RAL colours to choose from
uPVC sliding doors – benefits explained
Previously considered cheap and unsightly, modern uPVC sliding doors can be installed in such a way that they exude elegance and sophistication. This is because of various strides made with the material, combining its inherent low-maintenance qualities with a unique, 8-wheeled glide system that ensures a smooth, consistent operation. Effective double glazing, a patented bubble gasket, and multi-chambered frames also help keep your home energy efficient, letting you enjoy generous views and large light entry without fear of letting the warm heat slip away.
Our uPVC sliding patio doors keep the back of your home secure thanks to precision engineered ModLok locking mechanisms coming integrated as standard. This mean shaving 4 hook bolts ad 2 shoot bolts installed at the top and bottom of the uPVC frame – able to be incorporated in any aperture size or panel configuration. uPVC is known as the most flexible home improvement material for a reason, making it a great choice for any Essex homeowner’s sliding patio doors.
- 8-wheeled glide for smooth operation
- Low maintenance
- Patented bubble gasket reduces unwanted heat transfer
- Cost effective
- Classic colours include Chartwell Green, Cream and Oak effect
Aluminium vs uPVC – which is the better material?
Which is the best material for a sliding door out of aluminium and uPVC? It may seem like a copout, but the answer is whichever material best suits your needs. Aluminium sliding doors let you enjoy large light entry, wider views, and great insulation, while uPVC offers a great amount of flexibility, excellent insulation again, and the benefit of being low maintenance. At Halstead, we understand that every homeowner is different, hence why every sliding door solution we install should be too.
Revitalise your home with sliding door solutions from Halstead
Both aluminium sliding doors and uPVC sliding doors are excellent choices. If you have another question about the ways they could enhance your home, feel free to get in touch with a member of our team today for free via our online form. We’d be happy to get back to you to discuss your intentions further.