Given the styles of door available , the choice comes down to visual appearance and practicality . Externally stacking sliding folding doors may not be suitable in a high-rise application due to limited space on a balcony . Sliding doors do offer more clear glazing per opening with much less aluminium visible but may not offer a full opening . With more available outdoor space , sliding folding doors are often chosen for home improvement or new traditional home build or grand designs type projects .
Weather performance is crucial , especially in high rise applications . Basic sliding doors often will not meet the exposure requirements of a high rise location but lift and slide doors that rely on their weight once closed to rest weather seals , can offer exceptional weathering capability . Aluprof ’ s MB-77HS system , for example , offers an impressive maximum Class 4 air tightness when tested to BS EN 12207 and a Class 9A ( 600Pa ) for watertightness when tested to BS EN 12208 . This door has also been successfully tested to CWCT standards when used within a high rise facade and is possibly the door style most often chosen by specifiers for high rise use .
Key for most designers and specifiers on high rise applications is the threshold arrangement which is to be kept as low as possible in order not to create a trip hazard . Basic sliding doors and tilt and slide doors will need some form of step or visible frame at the threshold , but the lift and slide only needs a low , or flush threshold , with a groove for a guided roller , the weather seals being carried in the sliding panel . The choice is with the specifier , but the lift and slide door option offers the best combination of ease of use , best use of space , flush threshold , high weather rating and minimal maintenance requirements . Aluprof provide examples of robust detailing to ensure both weathering and thermal performance Ian each product technical manual .
In a traditional residential application sound attenuation may not be an issue , but on high rise , particularly on lower levels , an acoustic glass may be required . It is possible to specify systems which can accept thicker acoustic glazing at lower floors and on upper floors revert to a more traditional double or triple glazed unit . This can often be accommodated in one design of a sliding door system . Sound attenuation may also be required through any trickle vents so the accommodation of these larger vents will need to be considered when specifying a sliding door system .
" Key for most designers and specifiers on high rise applications is the threshold arrangement which is to be kept as low as possible in order not to create a trip hazard ."
With the Future Homes consultation suggesting much lower heat transfer ( U values ) for doors by 2025 , a well insulated systems frame design and capability to carry high performance triple glazed units should be considered . The MB-77HS lift and slide system , for example , can offer a very high insulation capability of up to 0.84 W /( m2K ). Consideration should also be made for the replacement of glazing and decided if external or internal glazing is to be adopted .
All sliding doors are well equipped today with quality locks that meet PAS 24 , however for traditional residential applications at ground floor level , possible additional security is required dependent on the location . Remote control options are also becoming more popular on sliding doors where doors can be opened from a remote control or an application on a smart device . As with all user operated devices , at some time in the future , all doors will require some form of maintenance . It is worth considering this regarding the availability of parts so , choosing a systems company of repute , such as Aluprof , would be strongly advised .
Where space is at a minimum , particularly on high rise applications , there are options of Juliet balconies being specified , but consideration over access for cleaning and maintenance also needs to be considered .
A very wide range of finishes are available today along with colours realistic woodgrain effect coatings are available and the ability to dual colour with an inside and outside colour option . Whichever is chosen a minimal cleaning regime should be specified so that the finish will offer a lifetime of use .
Crucial to correct specification of these sophisticated systems , it is recommended to always contact a specialist when looking to specify sliding systems for either city high rise or typical residential setting . Getting the design choices right at start can save both a great deal of time and cost later down the project timeline . Here at Aluprof UK we have a team of dedicated support technicians just a phone call or email away .
DOORS , WINDOWS & FITTINGS
Since setting up the Aluprof Office at the Business Design Centre in London , the company has rapidly grown their specification influence in the UK with their highperformance architectural aluminium systems . Further expansion of the company ’ s headquarters in Altrincham now provides specifiers with meeting facilities and an extensive showroom of commercial systems to view . With overseas growth across Europe spreading into the Middle East and firm roots already in the East of the USA , the company is becoming a global player in facade supply .
MB-86 FOLDLINE
Further information is available on the company ’ s website at aluprof . co . uk or direct from their UK head office in Altrincham on 0161 941 4005 .
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