« Nous avons fait appel à la société Wendows pour le renouvellement de nos châssis et nous sommes vraiment ravis du résultat ! Les travaux ont été réalisés dans les délais annoncés et la finition est impeccable. De plus, M. Aprile qui s'est occupé du devis, s'est toujours montré disponible pour répondre à toutes nos questions. Nous vous recommandons donc de faire appel à eux pour vos travaux ! »
Sliding patio door: the living room opens wide onto the garden
Far more than a frame: a living-space project. The sliding patio door erases the wall between your living room and the terrace, lets light flood in across the full surface and glides with one finger, even over several metres. Aluminium, flat threshold, triple glazing: we design the opening that transforms the room.
- 3 to 6 m
- opening width
- 20 mm threshold
- accessible lift-and-slide
- Uw 0.9
- with triple glazing
What a large sliding patio door is really worth
The benchmarks that matter when you open a wall onto the garden: glazed surface, thermal performance, operation and security. The concrete stuff, not marketing.
- Glazed surface 3 to 6 m wide
This is the heart of the project: a large door several metres wide, in two, three or four panels. Aluminium holds these dimensions where PVC thickens or needs reinforcement. The room gains a wall of light.
- Clear glazing Maximal
Slim frames and a generous fixed panel let through as much glass and light as possible. On a large door, every centimetre of frame removed is view and brightness gained.
- Thermal insulation Uw 0.9 W/m²K
A large glazed surface has to be well insulated so it doesn’t chill the room. With triple glazing and thermally broken profiles, the door reaches the level of a high-performance build despite its size.
- Opening type 3 systems
Simple sliding (one panel glides in front of the other), lift-and-slide with flat threshold (the panel lifts to glide, sealing and accessibility), or pocket sliding (the panel slides into the wall for a fully open span).
- Security RC2 possible
A large door on the ground floor is secured: mushroom-head rollers, anti-lift keeps, a security cylinder and laminated glazing. We aim for the RC2 burglar-resistance level on exposed garden access.
- Threshold 20 mm
Lift-and-slide allows a recessed flat threshold, with no step: continuity between inside and terrace, wheelchair or pram passage, a flush-to-floor look. The comfort that makes the difference day to day.
* Indicative values for a thermally broken aluminium door with triple glazing. Exact performance depends on the system, glazing and dimensions — confirmed at the survey.
Pros & limits of a sliding patio door
A large door transforms a room, but it’s not the answer to everything. Here, honestly, is where it excels and where you need to think it through.
Where it excels
- Light and view on a grand scaleA glazed wall that opens the living room onto the garden and floods the room with brightness.
- No clutterThe panel glides instead of swinging open: no clearance needed, you keep all the space in front.
- Accessible flat thresholdLift-and-slide removes the step: continuity with the terrace, wheelchair-accessible.
- Adds value to the propertyA large door onto the garden is a real comfort and resale argument.
What to keep in mind
- Higher budgetThe large glazed surface and triple glazing add up: a door costs more than a classic window.
- Aluminium all but mandatoryBeyond a few metres, only aluminium holds the dimensions without bulky profiles.
- Summer comfort to anticipateA large south-facing door heats up: plan solar-control glazing or an external blind.
- Pocket sliding needs spaceSliding the panel into the wall requires a free partition — to confirm right from the design stage.
Is the sliding patio door right for you?
It comes into its own whenever there’s a garden, a terrace or a view to capture, and the urge to open up the space. A few cases where it shines:
-
Living room onto garden or terrace
The classic case: erasing the wall between lounge and outside. The room breathes, the terrace becomes an extension of the living room.
-
Extension or glazed conservatory
On a new extension, the sliding door makes the facade: several metres of glass, light passing through and contemporary lines.
-
Full opening with pocket sliding
When you want a wall entirely erased in summer: the panel slides into the partition, inside and outside become one.
For garden access of everyday width with a swing sash, the French door is often enough. And to understand the whole range of gliding systems, see the sliding frame.


A living room opened onto the garden by a 5-metre flat-threshold door
The back wall of the living room only looked onto the garden through a small French door. We opened up the masonry and fitted a 5-metre aluminium lift-and-slide in three panels, a recessed flat threshold and triple glazing. The room gained a wall of light and level access to the terrace.
- 5 mof sliding patio door
- Threshold 0level with the terrace
- Uw 0.9with triple glazing
They chose wendows
5.0/5 · 5verified reviews
« Nous avons fait appel à Wendows pour le remplacement de nos châssis et nous sommes très satisfait de notre choix. Qualité et suivi de chantier au top ! »
« Ik heb via WEndows een raam aangekocht van 2m x 2m. Mijn algemene ervaring is goed. Zeer goeie communicatie, altijs zeer snelle reactie bij een vraag of opmerking. Het installatie team werkte ook zeer efficient. Tevreden van het eindresultaat! Bedankt WEndows »
Sliding patio door, pocket sliding or French door?
It all comes down to the width to open and the effect you want. Compare the sliding patio door to pocket sliding and the French door, then open the range that interests you.
| Critère | Sliding patio doorVous êtes ici | Pocket sliding doorVoir la gamme → | French doorVoir la gamme → |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening width | 3 to 6 m | Very large, wall erased | More modest |
| Indoor clutter | None, the panel glides | None, slid into the wall | Sash clearance needed |
| Clear glazing | Very large | Maximal, full opening | Good |
| Flat threshold / accessibility | Yes, lift-and-slide | Yes | Often a step |
| Ground-floor security | RC2 possible | RC2 possible | Well-lockable sash |
| Indicative price | €€€ — by surface | €€€€ — the highest | The gentlest |
| Best for | Large living room onto garden | Wall entirely erased | Everyday terrace access |
- the range
Sliding frames
The whole range of gliding systems: simple sliding, lift-and-slide and pocket sliding. Understand the mechanisms before you choose.
See the sliders → - the material
Aluminium frames
The reference material for large doors: slim, rigid profiles that hold several metres of glazing without thickening.
Discover aluminium → - to combine
Sliding door
For a gliding access of more contained width, the sliding door combines space-saving and a clear passage.
See the sliding door → - to combine
Double & triple glazing
On a large door, glazing accounts for most of the performance. Understand Ug values to equip your glazed surface well.
Choose your glazing → - vs door
French door
For garden access of everyday width with a swing sash, simpler and more economical than a large door.
Compare with the French door → - ↑ category
The full frame range
An overview of our window frames & joinery in Belgium: materials, glazing, fitting and grants on one page.
Back to the frame guide →
How much does a sliding patio door cost?
The price depends mainly on the width, the number of panels, the system (simple sliding, lift-and-slide or pocket sliding) and the glazing. Here are benchmarks for a fitted aluminium door.
See the detailed sliders price grid →* Indicative ranges per fitted aluminium door, excluding masonry and specific configurations. Itemised estimate provided with your free quote.
- 2-panel sliding from €2,500fitted aluminium door, double glazing
- Oversized lift-and-slide from €5,000large door, flat threshold, triple glazing
- Renovation grant up to 35%of the amount, based on your income
- Reduced VAT 6%in renovation (home > 10 years)
Your questions about the sliding patio door
How wide can a sliding patio door be? +
Commonly from 3 to 6 metres, in two, three or four panels. Beyond a few metres, aluminium becomes essential: its rigidity holds large glazed surfaces without bulky profiles. We confirm the exact dimension based on the wall span and the weight of the glazing.
What’s the difference between sliding and lift-and-slide? +
On a simple slider, the panel glides sideways in front of the other. On a lift-and-slide, you raise the handle: the panel lifts slightly then glides, which improves sealing and allows a flat threshold with no step, accessible to wheelchairs and prams.
What is a pocket sliding door? +
With pocket sliding, the panel doesn’t glide in front of another: it slides entirely into the thickness of the wall. As a result, the opening is completely clear, inside and outside become one. This requires a free partition planned right from the design stage.
Does a large glazed door insulate well? +
Yes, provided it’s properly equipped. With triple glazing and thermally broken aluminium profiles, a large door reaches a Uw value around 0.9, at the level of a high-performance build, despite its significant glazed surface.
Is a ground-floor sliding door secure? +
It is secured: mushroom-head rollers, anti-lift keeps, a security cylinder and laminated glazing make it possible to aim for the RC2 burglar-resistance level. On exposed garden access, it’s an option to build in from the quote rather than add afterwards.
Which grants for a sliding patio door? +
Grants depend on the performance achieved (Uw value), not the opening type. A high-performance door qualifies, depending on your region and income, for a renovation grant and 6% VAT for homes over ten years old. We handle the paperwork for you.
Get your free sliding patio door quote within 48h
Free on-site survey, grants calculated, a single point of contact. Describe your opening project in under a minute.
- Free and no obligation
- Grants & 6% VAT handled for you
- Fitting by our certified installers