I think the window companies have a tendency to tell you what you want to hear. Ask them the difference in frames widths and compare the two, also compare what that means for where they meet in the middle.

I can't say whether or not they'll suit the house as I would need more pics. Have you considered more mirrors?? and to keep the lovely casement doors.

I love your French doors. They are full of character.

We are considering two sets of sliding doors as opposed to bi-folds, for our new extension. They will be 5m. Two static panes either end and two moving in middle but it's a larger area than yours. We will probably go for, as slim as possible, upvc, as the aluminium are a more expensive.

I think you may regret changing your charming doors for one set of sliding, of any material.

I tend to agree with mirrors or other clever lightening tricks!

Let us know!

I worried about this when I had my old french doors replaced, but the huge window I had in place almost brings the garden into the room, and the increase in light was worth the slight loss of character.

We have just chosen aluminium french doors and windows over upvc for a house in France. Yes slightly more money but in our experience white upvc can turn a little yellow over time and can jar/look a bit out of place with an older house. Aluminium is also available in a good range of colours; we've gone for a medium gray. Another factor for us was that the aluminium frames are slimmer so they will allow more light than the upvc. We have gone for the same style as you have - Georgian - and chosen to have the bars within the glass so that they are easier to clean (one panel of glass instead of lots of smaller panes). Good luck!

I love the existing doors and not sure I could bring myself to change them. If I had to choose, I would personally opt for a powder coated aluminium over pvc - I think they are liable to last better, less likely to fade/discolour in an unpleasant way and will possibly add a little more value given the quality feel.

I too was concerned that you might be being pressured into a quick decision to get a "limited time deal" - don't fall for pressure tactics and get a few quotes! There is no reason a deal should not be available for longer unless the salesman/company is unscrupulous - there are no major materials price hikes to justify it! Hold your nerve, get multiple quotes, get references and bargain hard. You might just find the alu doors are in your price range after all....

Caldicot Kichens

I also like your existing doors. I agree with potentially looking at indoor and outdoor mirrors but would also look at the planting in front of the wall, I guess that big shrub on the right in particular is blocking light

Whilst not wanting to cast doubt on expertise of the person you talked to design novice, I cannot say that what you were informed about uPVC sliding doors having 'very similar looks and frame margins' as aluminium is correct.

Aluminium by nature has significant integral strength and does not warp, twist, expand or contract in the same way that uPVC does. This enables the frame of the sliding doors (plus bifold doors and windows for that matter as well) to be made significantly narrower.

For the size of doors you are looking at the uPVC frames are likely to come in at around 130mm, in comparison aluminium sliding doors can have frames that are around 20-24mm for the ultra-slim systems (including theEDGE our award winning doors), and around 80mm for more standard systems (including Grand Slider II our best selling sliding doors).

Also just to clarify in terms of pricing, aluminium sliding doors tend to be around the same price as the equivalent aluminium bifold doors.

Glazing options for contemporary rear extensions · More Info

Suburban London Rear Extension · More Info

I would look at hiring a good carpenter & take off the inserts & make into a straight glass panel. I would not use upvc to replace these at all.

I think I would take the whole lot out and fit one large frameless double-glazed fixed unit with a single solid wood door to the right hand side. That would be a less expensive solution and would give you a perfectly clear view out into the lovely garden :)

Hi Justin, We are interested in which slide and swing doors you have ordered. It is a product that we've investigated, but as of yet we have not found a system that performs to a comparable standard as our award-winning bifold and sliding door products.

Hi Justin, thank you for taking the time to reply to our query.

It is difficult to compare systems because Deceuninck have not published very much technical information about that specific product on their website, but whilst in general terms uPVC may be able to perform fractionally better for U-values than aluminium (it depends on the system), our experience is that with slide and swing doors the weather rating (water tightness, air permeability and wind loading) tend to be much lower.

I would also query the information you were given about security. The reason I say that is I cannot find any reference to their slide & swing doors having been tested to PAS24 standards (Building Regs Doc Q) or Secured by Design award standards.

The technology of slide and swing doors is developing quickly, but it is starting from nearly 25 years behind bifold doors so will take some time to catch up - that said they are moving along quickly and in certain circumstances offer an alternative to bifold doors.

Good luck with your project!

Thank you very much to you all for your comments, I am really touched you have taken the time to reply and I am very grateful to you for your suggestions to 'work with what I have' This forum is invaluable! I am going to get a carpenter in to look at removing the inserts and replacing with straight glass. I will let you know how I get on! Again many thanks, now on to the next challenge....the staircase!

We used Velfac Aluminium doors and windows at the rear of our house. They are really good and we found them to be a similar price to plastic but with much greater thermal efficiency.

You could get the current doors refurbished without the glazing bars. I'd steer clear of upvc personally, especially sliding doors as you won't really gain much in terms of opening and I just hate UPVC, especially if these are the only doors in your house like this.

The issue with light may be down to planting, floor finishes and interior decor rather than the glazing bars. More glass will make a difference, but it's worth considering the whole space.