What’s The Difference Between Aluminium Sliding Doors & uPVC Sliding Doors?

Both uPVC and Aluminium sliding doors are trendy options. However, the difference between the two often gets blurred. 

Before we dissect the differences between Aluminium sliding door design and uPVC sliding door design, let’s explore what exactly sliding doors are, their benefits/cons and types.

Sliding doors can be installed in the house interiors (kitchen, dining room/living room, bedrooms, wardrobes) or exteriors (patio/garage/balcony). 

Let’s discuss the difference between uPVC sliding doors and Aluminium sliding doors based on certain factors so that you can make an informed choice when buying.

Aluminium Sliding Doors Offer Better Quality And Durability 

• uPVC (Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride) sliding doors are durable and are high on performance. They have bulkier sightlines as compared to Aluminium sliding doors. 
• Aluminium sliding doors are very lightweight with their ultra-slim sightlines, offering more energy efficiency and weatherproofing. They are also strong and tough, which makes them more durable.

Maintenance Of Aluminium And uPVC Sliding Doors 

• uPVC sliding doors require medium upkeep and demand repainting after a few years as they can discolour and stain in the sunlight. 
• Aluminium sliding doors require little upkeep, are easier to clean than PVC, and don’t require any repainting as the colour never fades away.  

Insulation From Harsh Climate Conditions 

• uPVC sliding doors block out strong winds, rain, pollution, dust and street noise. However, they are prone to contraction and expansion with heat, which can cause damage over the years. 
• Aluminium sliding doors can withstand heat expansion and other weather changes/factors and are corrosion-resistant, making them comparatively more stable and robust. The unique powder coating makes them resistant to warping, cracking and fading. 

Installation Costs Of uPVC And Aluminium Sliding Doors 

• uPVC sliding doors are cost-effective and affordable but will prove more expensive in the long run due to their shorter lifespan and thicker frames (smaller individual panes). 
• Aluminium sliding doors are more costly than uPVC sliding doors but offer you immense value for money in the long run due to thinner frames (larger individual panes) and longer lifespan. 

Environmental Sustainability And Recyclability

• uPVC sliding doors are thermoplastics, so they are non-toxic to the environment, energy-efficient and can be recycled to create another product. 
• Aluminium sliding doors are extremely environmentally friendly compared to the available uPVC options and are ‘indefinitely’ recyclable (~high-quality finish with a fraction of the energy). 

Customization Options

• uPVC sliding doors come in different options (hues, tones, styles) like uPVC sliding doors for balcony, uPVC sliding doors with mesh (fibre mesh/aluminium mesh/stainless steel mesh), uPVC sliding doors with grill, and uPVC folding sliding doors with woodgrain foil options. 
• Aluminium sliding doors come in various colours (200+), finishing (matte/gloss/satin/timber effect) and sightline options. They are also available in different configurations like Aluminium bi-folding sliding doors, Aluminium glass sliding doors, Aluminium sliding doors for the balcony, Aluminium mesh sliding doors, Aluminium glazed sliding doors and Aluminium sliding doors for kitchen cabinets. 

What Are The Pros & Cons of Sliding Doors? 

They offer multiple benefits such as:

• Provide linkages and closure between interior spaces without blocking the flow of light/privacy. 
• Highly secure, equipped with multiple-point locking systems and easy to operate. 
• Lend a modern, sleek and sophisticated touch to the room.
• Save floor space because it opens sideways instead of outwards.
• Available in different types, mechanisms and styles, which are aesthetically pleasing. 

They also have certain drawbacks, such as:

• More expensive than hinged doors and other kinds of doors.
• More challenging to maintain over time as the door frames often show fingerprints. 
• More difficult to clean as they allow more moisture/debris between the track and door (no threshold).

What Are The Different Types of Sliding Doors? 

• Bi-Folding Sliding Doors (multiple door panels that overlap and fold onto each other when opened).
• Pocket Sliding Doors (doors that slide away into a hidden ‘pocket/cavity’ in the wall, provided there’s space).
• Sliding Glass Patio Doors (sliding doors that create a seamless outdoor and indoor blend).
• Bypass Sliding Doors (sliding doors where the track and roller mechanism is exposed/on complete display).
• Stacker Sliding Doors (sliding doors that stack on top of one another when opened).

Wrapping Up

If you need more guidance on choosing the right sliding door design for your home makeover, book a consultation with DesignCafe’s expert interior designers. 

Also, if you liked this blog, please check out sliding door designs and sliding glass door designs blogs for more inspiring ideas.