Over the past decade sliding doors have become the default option for homeowners wanting big glazed doors for their extension, renovation or self-build project. As demand has grown, so has the influx of different door systems, with manufacturers chasing slimmer frames to enable almost uninterrupted views out.
To achieve those thinner frames, the way the door systems have been constructed has changed significantly, but in doing so, it has introduced a significant risk that homeowners aren’t always aware of.
The risks of using structurally bonded glass
“Windows and doors have traditionally been glazed using beads to hold the glass into the frame,” says Will Mitchell, Sunflex UK‘s Technical Manager. “The bead clips into the frame, usually on the inside, and secures the double- or triple-glazed unit in place. The challenge with ultra-slim frames is that there is no space for a glazing bead, so manufacturers have had to opt for alternative methods of securing the glass in place. For most systems, that involves permanently glueing or bonding the glass directly to the frame, creating systems that are known as structurally bonded doors.”
Structurally bonded sliding doors are easy to spot – they have narrow frames on all four sides of the panel and make up the vast majority of ultra-slim systems on the market. The issue is that by permanently bonding the glass to frame it is impossible to replace the glass without replacing the entire frame.
Leave a Reply