Eleven years after IDSystems designed and launched theEDGE, the first truly slim sliding door, there are now lots of other narrow-framed systems available. While they may all look reasonably similar, however, there are lots of significant differences that you need to consider before specifying glazing for your project.
Today, the IDSystems range includes theEDGE2.0, a multi award-winning system with incredibly narrow 20mm frames, and the SF80, a high-performance, German-designed, triple-glazed door capable of Passivhaus standards of thermal efficiency and huge panel sizes.
Whether you're building from scratch, renovating or extending, these sleek, high-performance designs offer a wide range of options and benefits for every type of project. To help you make the right choice, Edward Stobart, the Technical Sales Manager at IDSystems, advises the key points to consider.
Thermal efficiency – keeping your home warm
- SF80 overall U-value: from 1.2W/m²K double glazed
- SF80 overall U-value: from 0.8W/m²K triple glazed
Thermal efficiency in large, glazed aluminium sliding doors is crucial for maintaining consistent year-round comfort and reducing energy bills.
Historically, previous generations of aluminium frames had a poor reputation for thermal efficiency, but modern, thermally broken frames have come a long way in the past decade and are now some of the most thermally efficient available. It means they are now ideal for meeting the enhanced requirements of Building Regulations Document L.
For those seeking the ultimate in thermal performance, the triple-glazed SF80 leads the way, capable of achieving Passivhaus standards of energy efficiency and industry-leading protection from wind and rain.
Non-structurally bonded – peace of mind for years to come
- theEDGE2.0 glazing: Non-structurally bonded
- SF80 glazing: Non-structurally bonded
Knowing how your sliding doors are glazed is possibly not something you’d normally ask when deciding between systems, but it is crucial that you know.
IDSystems’ range of non-structurally bonded sliding doors offers homeowners complete peace of mind by combining elegant slimline aesthetics with long-term practicality.
Unlike bonded systems, where the glass is permanently adhered to the frame, the glass in IDSystems’ doors are held in place by glazing beads, allowing damaged or failed glass units to be replaced quickly and efficiently without removing the entire panel.
This reduces disruption and future complications caused by the profile no longer being available or the supplier no longer trading.
Running gear – ensuring effortless operation
- theEDGE2.0 running gear: Quad-carriage stainless-steel running gear
- SF80 running gear: Quad-carriage stainless-steel running gear
When it comes to how sliding doors operate, the quality and design of the running gear is critical – but hidden away in the bottom frame of the door it is the unseen element of the door that has typically gone unnoticed.
While some sliding door systems still rely on nylon wheels, these can wear, deform or flatten over time under the considerable weight of large glass panels, resulting in doors becoming harder to slide and less refined in operation.
That’s why IDSystems' doors feature precision-engineered four-wheel stainless-steel running carriages. Stainless-steel wheels running on a stainless-steel track deliver exceptional strength, durability and effortless gliding performance.
Frames – sightline width matters, but so does frame depth
- theEDGE2.0 sightline: 20mm Frame depth: 59mm
- SF80 sightline: 30mm Frame depth: 80mm
When it comes to judging a truly slim sliding door, the depth of the frame matters just as much as the width.
To provide structural stability, several of the systems on the market require chunky reinforcing additions to the outer frame, meaning that unless the doors are viewed from completely face-on they can appear anything but slim.
The design of theEDGE2.0 and the SF80 combines narrow sightlines with incredibly slender frame depths and no external reinforcing profile, ensuring the doors appear slim whichever angle they are viewed from.
Configurations – almost unlimited design options
- theEDGE2.0 number of panels: One to eight
Panel widths: from 800mm to 3000mm - SF80 number of panels: Two to six
Panel widths: from 1000mm to 4000mm
From the straightforward three-panel set of slim sliding doors to more complex configurations, IDSystems’ sliding door range is capable of them all. Opt for designs that create completely open corners, panels that slide into a pocket in the wall, glass-to-glass corners, or the integration of the sliding door system alongside fixed frame windows.
With panel sizes up to a massive 4000mm and overall doors systems that can reach a huge 24 metres across, the doors are perfect for maximising the amount of light that is let in as well as optimising the view out.
