Lift And Slide Doors

Sliding doors are a popular characteristic found in numerous Canadian households. They serve as an excellent method for allowing ample amounts of natural light to enter, regardless of whether they are open or closed. Additionally, they also create a spacious opening to the outdoors, especially during favorable weather conditions.

In recent years, many European manufacturers of windows and doors have shifted from traditional sliding doors to lift and slide doors, claiming various design benefits and user-friendly features. This raises the question of how a ‘sliding door’ differs from a European ‘lift and slide door’?

Raise, then shift

A typical sliding door operates by utilizing a stationary rail that is attached to the lower part of the outer frame. The door is propelled by small rollers located beneath the panel, which glide along the rail at the bottom. In order to maintain a sufficient level of water and air sealing, sliding doors have minimal space between the rail and the panel, resulting in considerable friction and rubbing of the seals, even for newly installed doors. As time passes, the presence of debris and corrosion further decreases the clearance, causing the roller bearings to wear out. As a result, opening sliding doors, particularly those with larger panels, becomes increasingly difficult. This is a phenomenon that is often observed in older sliding doors.

One way to address the problems associated with traditional sliding doors is by using European lift and slide doors, which incorporate a mechanism that lifts the door before sliding. These doors are versatile and can be used with various sliding door designs, including the traditional two-panel setup, as well as more complex configurations that span the entire width of a house or building without any corners.

When the handle is turned downwards, the pulley system lifts the vent. This releases the vent from its seals and gives it more space from the bottom rail. The door can then be easily slid open with just a simple push. Once the handle is returned to its original position, the rail is lowered, securing the vent back onto the frame for optimal protection against air and water. In the closed state, the rail is fully safeguarded from any potential damage caused by debris or corrosion.

There are three primary benefits that result from this innovation:

User-Friendliness

The lift-then-slide design, as previously stated, permits the user to easily open larger vents by simply using one finger.

Furthermore, European lift and slide doors have increased vent clearances when lifted and shield the rail from dust and debris. These doors also utilize top-quality bearings in the rollers, enhancing their efficient functioning. As a result, customers who may have previously avoided larger sliding doors because of the weight of the vent, can now reconsider larger vent sizes thanks to the lift-and-slide mechanism.

One of the key advantages of a lift and slide door is its sturdy and user-friendly handle, which sets it apart from the locking mechanisms commonly found on sliding doors. With a simple twist, the door is both unlocked and raised simultaneously. This eliminates the need for a separate finger-operated lock and prevents the common issue of jamming that occurs with many slider locks over time.

Improved water and air sealing, decreased damage and deterioration

The advanced design of lift and slide doors helps to decrease wear and tear and enhance water tightness and resistance against forced entry.

As opposed to regular sliding doors, which are unable to release their seals when opened and closed, sliding door designs strive to find a balance between maintaining air and water tightness and reducing friction. Nevertheless, these designs fail to excel in either aspect, often leading to challenging operation and a decrease in the effectiveness of their seals with repeated use.

The structure of lift and slide doors enables them to have low operating friction without compromising their high performance in terms of water and air tightness. This is achieved by raising the vent of the door before opening, which prevents the seals from becoming exposed to friction during use. Furthermore, thicker and more seals can be utilized without increasing the effort required to open the door. As a result, lift and slide doors offer superior air and water tightness compared to traditional slider doors, while also having longer-lasting seals that are not susceptible to wear and tear from friction.

Enhancing resistance to forced entry

When a lift and slide door is closed and the handle is turned to the closed position, the locking mechanisms are activated and the full weight of the vent is placed on the frame. To gain entry, intruders would not only have to overcome the multi point locking mechanism, but also move the heavy vent. This poses a challenge as larger lift and slide doors can weigh anywhere from 200 to 400 pounds, making it a significant obstacle for potential intruders. Furthermore, even if the vent is slightly ajar for ventilation, it cannot be easily pushed open as long as the handle remains unmovable from the outside.

Are you curious about gaining more knowledge on lift and slide doors in Ontario? Contact WIDORA for more information!