Renewed focus on core product offer

Sliders UK has brought renewed focus to its core product offer with the addition of ALuK’s BSC94 Aluminium Inline Sliding Door

We supply a lot of PVC-U patio doors but without a doubt, we’re now seeing notable growth in sales of aluminium inline sliding doors,” says Steve Mines, Sales Director, Sliders UK, “to an extent the market has gone full circle on itself,” he adds. As a door specialist, Sliders UK supplies a complete range of composite, french and bi-folding doors in leading aluminium systems from ALuK, its own Ultimate Evolution aluminium bi-fold, and PVC-U options from Eurocell and Duraflex, plus the Capstone. “Historically you could probably have drawn a line down our product offer,” continues Mines. “Inline sliding doors were predominantly PVC-U – Duraflex and Eurocell; bi-folding doors were largely specified in aluminium.

Lines are far more blurred

“That’s still true to a point but the lines are far more blurred. PVC-U bi-folding doors have become more competitive, with better sightlines. At the same time, aluminium systems are giving redefining inline sliding doors – giving them new architectural appeal.” The Ultimate Aluminium Inline Sliding Door taps into the demand for slim sightline sliding doors from architects and end-users, accommodating individual panel heights of up to 3000mm and maximum weights per panel of 400kg. Available in mono-, dual- or tri-rail options, it’s built around ALuK’s highly popular BSC94 sliding door system. Accommodating IGUs ranging from 20-31mm, it achieves u-values as low as 1.7W/m2K. The system has also been weather tested to Class 7a (300Pa) water tightness; Class 4 (600PA) air tightness; and C4 (1600 Pa), wind loading. It also addresses the security issues that plagued first-generation aluminium inline sliding doors head on, featuring a high security six-point hook lock as standard. It can also be upgraded to an ultra-secure specification using the high security Pentalock mechanism and handle option, achieving PAS24 and Part Q approvals.

Generational shift

“There’s been a generational shift. You have a new generation of architects and end-user coming to aluminium inline sliding doors for the first time. At the same time, systems companies are delivering new products, which are meeting demand for slim sightlines and exceptional aesthetics,” says Mines. This thinking appears enshrined in the Ultimate Aluminium Inline Sliding Door. It features a contemporary architectural aesthetic and maximum glazed area, as standard. The ultra-slimline option takes these minimalist sightlines a step further, with a 45mm interlock. Mines continues: “We see the slimline interlock as a significant selling point for our customers. The resurgence that we’re seeing in inline sliding doors is being driven by demand for uninterrupted sightlines. It’s one of the key foundations for the shift in demand that we’re now seeing.

Immediately noticeable

“At 45mm rather than a standard 85mm, the slim sightline interlock is an immediately noticeable and consequently strong sales platform. It’s not only a point of differentiation but also opportunity to sell at greater margin.” The Ultimate ALuK Aluminium Sliding Door is available in white, anthracite grey and anthracite grey-on-white, and black on white as standard. Sliders UK also offers any RAL colour or combination of colours, on special order. The finish is also guaranteed for 10 years. The Ultimate ALuK Aluminium Inline Sliding Door is supplied with a choice of black, white and silver standard P handles as standard. The launch of the Ultimate Aluminium Inline Sliding Door, comes as part of a major programme of investment in its aluminium offer by Sliders UK. This includes the launch last year of its new Ultimate Residential Aluminum Window, which manufactured in ALuK’s proven 70mm Optio system, features flexible and clean sightlines, making it suitable for traditional and contemporary applications. It also offers two aluminium bi-folding door systems, including the Ultimate Evolution easy-adjust and fit bi-fold, and aluminium lantern roof.

Spanning bigger spaces

“Aluminium inline sliding doors can span bigger spaces, offer reliable through-life performance and deliver the defining architectural aesthetic that has crossed over from the commercial sector into retail design,” says Mines. “That gives aluminium inline sliding doors really significant end-user appeal. “The other thing perhaps to consider is that in aluminium or PVC-U, they’re good to fit. Bi-folding doors deliver years of trouble-free operation where they’re fitted correctly. There’s, however, a lot more to get right and more time spent on site. “You compare that to an inline sliding door, particularly an aluminium one, and there is very little to go wrong, making installation simpler. It’s why inline sliding doors have always been popular with fitters. “Aluminium inline sliding doors match bi-folding doors for end-user appeal but with installation efficiencies are more affordable without compromising margin.”

Tel: 01772 698222

E: sales@sliders-uk.com