For a few years now, the sliding door has defined a more continental approach to the concept of ‘outdoor’ living in the UK. In days gone by, when the sun shone we might have opened a window for an hour or two, fearful that this unexpected warm moment would not last.
Today, we’re more relaxed about the weather than we used to be, making the best of the good days when they arrive. This has led to many householders replacing traditional framed windows in living rooms and kitchens with sliding doors, French doors and bifolds. All these maximise light and air, bringing the outdoors in and providing an easy transition between house, patio or garden.
The latest addition to this trend is the lift and slide door. As the name suggests, it operates in a somewhat different way to its more conventional counterparts; whereas regular sliding doors operate by running horizontally along a track when opened or closed, the lift and slide door is lifted slightly off the track when opened. This allows for ease of movement and better sealing when the door is closed.
This unique way of moving a lift and slide door avoids problems associated with regular sliding doors, in that their bearings can wear out over time, requiring replacement. The lift and slide door is raised by a pully system operated by a handle. When the vent is fully released from its seal it can slide easily on its rollers. When the handle is returned to its place the vent goes back down on the bottom of the frame, protecting it from debris and corrosion.
Here at Bedford Bifolds we supply a range of outstanding lift and slide doors right across Bedfordshire. Our doors are constructed from aluminium, which is famously strong, yet lightweight enough to require almost no effort to open and close the door. Aluminium is also a fully recyclable, eco-friendly product, so when it is combined with slimline double glazing it is highly thermally efficient, keeping your room warm in winter and cool in the summer. In fact, our lift and slide doors boast some of the lowest ‘U-values’ (a measure of how efficiently a glazed window transfers heat) on the market.
For example, our 
Lift & Slide Doors are designed with maximal glass areas and premium insulating features in mind. They have a maximum dimension of 2700 mm (W) x 3000 mm (H) and U-values of just 1.07 W/(m²K) for thermal insulation (triple glazed).
Our ALUK Optio BSC94 Lift & Slide Door is also highly thermally efficient, weighing in with U-values of just 1.5 W/(m²K) for thermal insulation (triple glazed). It also has slim 45mm sightlines, multiple sliding configurations and variety of hardware and security features.
Talking of which, the security on all our lift and slide doors is second to none. We only use the best quality secure locks and handles, while some of our products are tested to advanced PAS24 standards. In terms of colours, it’s a case of ‘choose what you want’ from a RAL range of more than 200 shades. Grey, cream and white are always popular choices, and it is possible to have metallic, textured, wood effect, and anodised finishes.
Our lift and slide doors also feature an extensive range of glazing options. As well as modern double and triple glazing, we also offer temperature-moderating Low-E glass and beautiful decorative glazing options for enhanced privacy and aesthetic value.
At the moment the weather is cold and dark, seemingly with no end to winter. However, spring isn’t far away and if you’re already dreaming of warmer days, hosting parties on your patio or just giving your home a much-needed dose of fresh air, now is a good time to start planning renovations. As a company, our aim is to deliver products that are thermally insulating, energy-efficient, and comply with the latest Building Regulations. Our lift and slide doors do all this and more, and if you’d like more information please contact us here or call 01234 342669.