Patio doors are a smart way to transform your home—bringing in natural light, improving access to outdoor spaces, and creating a seamless indoor-outdoor flow. While both uPVC and aluminium sliding patio doors are popular choices, aluminium stands out for its durability, sleek aesthetics, and long-term value. What’s best for your home?
Why Patio Doors Are a Game-Changer
Whether you’re upgrading your living room or rethinking the back of your home, patio doors offer a stylish and practical solution. They open up your space, invite in sunlight, and make entertaining easier—especially when replacing a dated kitchen back door with a wide, glazed opening to the garden.
Sliding patio doors are particularly cost-effective and easy to install, with bifold options also gaining popularity for their concertina-style opening.
Things to Consider
Firstly, homeowners need to think about what they want out of a renovation that won’t break the bank but will significantly change their property. Most people are generally considering two things: Creating easy access to an outdoor entertaining area (current or future), and/or looking to generate more light inside the house.
If you’re considering sliding patio doors, then typically a set of doors will consist of a fixed glass panel and a sliding door moving on tracks parallel to the fixed panel.
They can be weighty – up to 300kg per glass panel, but improvements in design and manufacture of the tracks in recent years mean they are very easy to slide.
Door position, size or width, bifold or – if sticking with the likely original thoughts of ‘sliding’ doors, homeowners will be weighing up a choice between uPVC and aluminium. Advances in manufacturing include an interesting option to ‘fill’ a corner of a room with glass by having doors meet at a right angle in the corner.
Which Type of Sliding Doors for Your Patio?
When selecting patio doors, most homeowners are weighing up two key goals:
- Creating effortless access to a garden or outdoor entertaining area
- Maximising natural light inside the home
Both uPVC and aluminium sliding doors can deliver on these—but the differences are worth exploring.
uPVC Sliding Doors
- Budget-friendly and widely available
- Good thermal insulation
- Prone to fading and warping in direct sunlight
- Less robust over time, especially in larger formats
Aluminium Sliding Doors
- Sleek, modern appearance that suits both new builds and period homes
- Exceptionally strong yet lightweight—ideal for large glass panels
- Advanced thermal break technology for energy efficiency
- Highly secure and resistant to warping, fading, or corrosion
Aluminium doors can support glass panels weighing up to 300kg, yet glide effortlessly thanks to precision-engineered tracks. They’re also perfect for corner configurations, allowing you to ‘fill’ a room with glass and create panoramic views.
Why Installing Aluminium Patio Doors is the Smarter Investment
While uPVC may appeal to budget-conscious buyers, aluminium patio doors offer superior performance and longevity. They’re built to withstand the elements, maintain their appearance, and add real value to your property—without the need for constant maintenance or costly repairs.
In summer, they open up your garden for easy entertaining. In winter, they flood your home with light and warmth. And all year round, they elevate your home’s style and functionality.
Final Thoughts
Both uPVC and aluminium patio doors have their place—but if you’re looking for a future-proof, design-led solution that enhances your home in every season, aluminium is hard to beat.
