What are the thinnest framed sliding doors available in 2025?
Everyone desires the thinnest framed sliding doors for their UK home, and it's easy to see why. Thin-framed patio doors allow more natural light to flood in while minimizing obstructions to the outside view. These sleek, modern designs offer an elegant and contemporary aesthetic that enhances any living space.
When discussing sliding doors, you’ll often encounter terms like "sightline" and "interlock." Sightline refers to the visible width of the frame, while the interlock is the vertical frame where the sliding door panels meet. Both play a crucial role in defining the overall look and functionality of the door system.
Excitingly, there might soon be a game-changing product on the market: the Glideline GS15 Sliding Door. This innovative system is expected to improve upon the already popular GS20 model from the same manufacturer. However, as of November 2024, this door remains unreleased, leaving homeowners eagerly awaiting its arrival.
It’s important to note that achieving thinner frames comes at a cost. Doors with minimal frames require advanced aluminium and glass technologies, as well as more intricate manufacturing processes. This ensures the doors are not only sleek but also sturdy, safe, and built to last, making them a worthwhile investment for any modern home.
Glideline GS20 Sliding Door - 20mm Sightline
InfiniGLIDE3 Sliding Door - 20mm Sightline
| Sliding Door System | Interlock Sightline |
|---|---|
| MFP18 Hyline Sliding Door | 18mm |
| Sunvista Sliding Door | 19mm |
| Sunflex SVG20 Slimline Door | 20mm |
| Edge 2.0 by ID Systems | 20mm |
| Glideline GS20 Sliding Door | 20mm |
| Origin OS-20 Artisan | 20mm |
| Sightline Aluminium Glazing Systems | 20mm |
| Infiniglide 3 Sliding Door | 20mm |
| AluK Infinium Sliding Door | 21mm |
| Minimal Windows Sliding Glass Door | 21mm |
| Maxlight Doors | 21mm |
| System 22 Fineline Aluminium Sliding Door | 22mm |
| Alumen Cor-Vision Plus | 25mm |
| Origin OS-29 Sliding Door | 29mm |
| Sunflex SVG30 Sliding Door | 30mm |
| Schuco ASS70 PD Panorama Design Sliding Door | 30mm |
| Sieger 30 Sliding Door | 30mm |
| Solarlux Cero Sliding Door | 34mm |
| Reynaers Concept Patio 68 (CP 68) | 34mm |
| Reynaers Hi-Finity Sliding Door | 35mm |
| Technal Systems Lumeal Sliding Door | 38mm |
| Artline by SAPA Sliding Door | 38mm |
| Reynaers CP68 Sliding Door | 41.5mm |
| Schuco ASE60 Sliding Door with slim interlock | 40mm |
| Arkay Edgeglide/Cortizo 4200 Sliding Door | 42mm |
| Dutemänn Glide-S | 47mm |
| Cortizo 4700 Sliding Door | 47mm |
| Schuco ASS70.HI DE Sliding Door | 48mm |
| AluK Infinium SC156 Sliding Door | 50mm |
| Reynaers MasterPatio | 50mm |
| SAPA Confort C125 Sliding Door | 50mm |
| Panoglide Sliding Door | 50mm |
| Sunparadise ISO 41 Sliding Door | 51mm |
| SAPA Crown 98 Sliding Door | 51mm |
| SAPA Crown 120mm Sliding Door | 51mm |
| Deceuninck Decalu163 Slide | 73.3mm |
| Origin OS-77 and OS-44 Inline Sliding Doors | 77mm |
| Senior Architectural Ali Slide Door | 79mm |
| Smart Systems Visoglide Plus | 83mm |
| Sunflex SVG83 Sliding Door | 83mm |
| AluK BSC94 Sliding Door | 85mm |
| Schuco ASS48 Sliding Door | 85mm |
| Sieger 85 Sliding Door | 85mm |
| Comar 7P.i LS+ | 88.9mm |
| SAPA C160S Lift Slide Door | 92mm |
| Alumil S-700 | 94mm |
| Schuco ASS 70 HI | 108mm |
| Alutech Systems SL160 | 115mm |
| Comar 7P.1 Sliding Door | 123mm |
Sightlines quoted above for the vertical interlocks do not account for four-panel patio doors, where the central doors meet with a thicker sightline and slide in opposite directions.
Several of the above brands are based on the Cortizo Cor-Vision and Cor-Vision Plus, another popular slimline sliding door.
What is a Sliding Door Interlock?
The interlock is the central mullion where the front edge of one sliding panel interlocks or overlaps with the back edge of the other. Additionally, the interlocking design must allow for rigidity as well as protection from wind loadings and deflection. Furthermore, with many modern ultra-slim sliding systems, the interlock also acts as a door handle.
Consequently, whether you choose an inline, lift and slide, automatic or tilt and slide aluminium sliding door, all doors from two panel up to six or more have an interlock. With the interlocks also being the most prominent feature of a current sliding door, we can, therefore, help you navigate the many different doors on the market and help you find out who makes the slimmest sliding doors too.
Do remember that many of the sightlines you’ll see marketed, slim or otherwise, relate to the interlock only. We are frequently contacted by homeowners disappointed to find the outer frame, door rails, and stiles not as slim as the interlock.
Are the Slimmest Sliding Doors Better Than Regular Sliding Doors?
Not at all. The construction of the ultra-slim sliding doors is quite different from the systems on our listing with standard-size interlocks. In most cases, the ultra-slim sliding doors are inline versions only. Regular size doors offer inline, lift and slide, or tilt and slide opening options. Glass choices tend to be greater with the thicker set doors, as well as having more handle style options.
Slimline Sliding Doors Come with Caveats and Restrictions
Despite the trend towards thinner sliding doors, it remains their overall size, especially the height, that determines whether the slimline section is available. For instance, many of the sliding doors at the top of our chart with interlocks less than 35mm rely on the glass providing the structural integrity, not the aluminium sections, which are secondary.
Subject to the size, exposure, and location, a professional installer will carry out wind load and deflection calculations to determine whether the slim interlock can be used or whether it needs additional reinforcement. The other area that differs from all types of other doors is the factors that affect the installation of sliding doors. To fit a large sliding door can involve specialist skills, equipment, and extra costs.
What to Consider When Buying Slimline Patio Doors
The interlock sightline is just one consideration when purchasing a new sliding door. Here is what else is more important:
- A slimmer door may not be the best for your property. Talk to a professional installer for the best advice.
- Not all systems offer this facility if you are looking for doors that slide into a wall or open corner doors.
- The overall product appearance should also be considered. Look at the perimeter frame sightlines too.
- Always view a full-size sample of the product in a showroom or at an actual installation.
- Examine the quality of the sliding action and the door handles.
- Ensure you are happy and comfortable purchasing from the company in question.
Please contact us if you would like more information about the sliding door systems mentioned or have any questions about sliding doors.
