Kensington · Greater London
Sliding Doors in Kensington
If your patio doors in Kensington could be lifted off their track or no longer lock properly, we can survey them and quote for secure replacements.
- SW3
- SW5
- SW7
- SW10
- W8
- W10
- Guide from £1,795
Kensington: slimline sliding doors
Sliding door panes reach near the floor, so they need safety glass. In England, Approved Document K treats glass in doors, and in side panels within 300mm of a door's edge, up to 1500mm from the floor as critical. Toughened glass is standard; laminated adds security and holds together if broken.
Sliding doors use large panels running on rollers within a multi-track frame. A two-panel door has one fixed and one sliding panel, while three or four-track systems let several panels stack behind each other for a wider opening. Panels can also slide into a wall pocket on some systems.
Because sliding panels are bigger and have fewer frames than bifold doors, they show fewer and slimmer sightlines when closed. Slimline aluminium systems can have very narrow interlocks between panels, which keeps the view across a garden as clear as possible. The trade-off is that one panel always remains in the opening.
In England, a replacement door with more than 60% of its internal face glazed should achieve a U-value of 1.4 W/m²K or a Doorset Energy Rating of band C under Approved Document L. Large sliding doors in new extensions are assessed within the extension's energy calculations.
Included as standard
- Fitting, levelling, roller adjustment and sealing
- Written guarantee terms and advice on building regulations sign-off
- Removal and disposal of the existing doors
- Toughened or laminated safety glass in every panel
About Kensington for this job
- Postcodes covered
- SW3, SW5, SW7, SW10, W8, W10, W11 and the surrounding area, including Shepherds Bush, Hammersmith and Chelsea
- Coast
- Kensington is well inland, around 39 km from the nearest coast, so salt exposure is not usually a factor.
- Daylight and sun
- In Kensington the midwinter sun reaches about 15° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 7.6 hours of daylight, rising to about 62° and 16.4 hours in midsummer. Large sliding panes on south or west elevations can bring strong solar gain and glare, so solar-control or neutral low-E glass helps keep rooms comfortable. On north-facing elevations, high light-transmission glass and slim frames make the most of limited winter daylight.
- Access and setting
- Large sliding panels are heavy and long, so city installations need planned access through the house, parking nearby and sometimes lifting equipment for upper floors or balconies. Flats need freeholder consent and planning permission, and acoustic glass helps on busy roads.
- Rules in England
- Approved Document K requires safety glass in critical locations in England: glazing in doors and in side panels within 300 mm of a door, up to 1500 mm above floor level, and any glazing in walls or partitions up to 800 mm above floor level.
Guide prices in Kensington
| Typical job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Aluminium slider, 1800 mm wide | £2,695 – £3,495 |
| Aluminium slider, 3000 mm wide | £3,995 – £5,095 |
| Lift-and-slide, 4000 mm wide | £6,695 – £8,595 |
| uPVC patio door, 1800 mm wide | £1,795 – £2,395 |
Get a guide price for your size
Replacing windows and doors with similar ones is usually permitted development for houses in England. Flats, listed buildings and homes in conservation areas or covered by an Article 4 direction can need permission, so check with the council first.
Choosing your sliding doors
Multi-track configuration
Two, three or four tracks so several panels stack behind each other, opening one or both sides of the frame.
Glass specification
Toughened low-E double glazing as standard, with triple glazing, laminated security glass, acoustic or solar-control glass available.
Slimline aluminium sliders
Very narrow frames and interlocks for the widest view, powder coated in a range of colours, suited to large openings.
Sliding Doors in Kensington: questions
What guarantee comes with sliding patio doors?
Manufacturer guarantees apply to the frames, coating, rollers, locks and sealed units, and the terms are confirmed in writing. Cover for rollers can depend on regular cleaning, so read the conditions. Guarantee terms for the installation are set out in writing with your quote, so you know exactly what is covered before you go ahead.
Do sliding patio doors need building regulations approval?
Yes. Fully glazed replacement doors like these are controlled fittings under building regulations, so the work must meet energy and safety glazing standards. In England, an installer registered with a competent person scheme can self-certify the installation, or building control approves it. Widening an opening is structural and needs separate approval. Other UK nations set their own requirements.
Why is my sliding door so hard to open?
A sliding door usually becomes stiff because of grit in the track, worn or seized rollers, or a panel that has dropped out of adjustment. Cleaning the track often helps, and rollers can sometimes be adjusted or replaced. If the frame has distorted or the panels are very heavy, replacing the doors is often the more lasting fix.
Can sliding doors have a level threshold?
Yes, many sliding door systems offer a low or flush bottom track for near level access. They need good external drainage and some shelter, because a flush track is less weather resistant than a raised sill. On exposed elevations, a slightly raised threshold is often the more reliable choice, and the survey checks which suits your patio.
Do you cover Kensington for sliding doors?
Yes. We can quote for sliding doors across Kensington and the surrounding Greater London area, including postcode districts SW3, SW5, SW7, SW10 and W8, and nearby Shepherds Bush, Hammersmith and Chelsea. Start with your postcode on the quote form and a glazier will arrange a free survey before giving you a written quote.
Get a written quote in Kensington
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.