RESOURCE BLOG
News, Information & Tips from the experts at NU-Scene Ltd
RECENT POSTS
- Cor Vision vs. Cor Vision Plus: Which Cortizo Sliding Door is Right for Your Project?
- The Engineering of Effortless Operation: What Makes a High-End Sliding Door Slide So Smoothly?
- Sliding Door Security: Peace of Mind with the Cor Vision’s Integrated Locking System.
- Beyond the Bifold: Why Slimline Sliding Doors are Redefining Contemporary Design
- The Power of the 20mm Sightline: How Slimline Doors Revolutionize Your View
Nu-Scene manufacture and supply high performance, UK building reg compliant aluminium products including bi-folding doors, sliding patio doors, windows, roof lanterns and roof lights direct to trade.
We pride ourselves on providing premium quality products at exceptional prices with quick lead times and free UK wide delivery.
We pride ourselves on providing premium quality products at exceptional prices with quick lead times and free UK wide delivery.
PRODUCTS
Useful Links
CONTACT US
Hope Business Park
Rooley Lane
4 Coop Place
Bradford
West Yorkshire
BD5 8JX
FOLLOW US
REQUEST CALLBACK
SUBSCRIBE
Beyond the Bifold: Why Slimline Sliding Doors are Redefining Contemporary Design
For years, the bifold door was the undisputed king of patio glazing, promising to open up an entire wall and bring the outside in. They offered a dramatic, accordion-style solution that captured the imagination of many homeowners.
However, a quiet revolution has been happening in architectural glazing. With advancements in engineering, slimline sliding doors are making a powerful resurgence, providing a superior solution for the modern, minimalist aesthetic.
The key to this comeback lies in one crucial difference: the frame.
The Fundamental Design Shift: View vs. Opening
The choice between a sliding door (like the Cortizo Cor Vision) and a bifold essentially comes down to two design priorities:
Maximum Uninterrupted View (Sliding Doors): Prioritising minimal frame and maximum glass, both when the doors are closed and when they are partially open.
Maximum Unobstructed Opening (Bifold Doors): Prioritising removing the entire wall of glass when the doors are fully retracted.
While bifolds offer a full opening, the contemporary focus has shifted overwhelmingly to achieving the perfect, uncompromised view.
1. The Power of the Slim Profile: Less Frame, More Light
The most compelling argument for a modern slider is its ability to almost disappear.
A system with a 20mm sightline creates a breathtaking, almost frameless aesthetic. When closed, it feels less like a door and more like a permanent glass wall, allowing natural light to flood the space with minimal visual obstruction. This is the ultimate expression of minimalism.
2. Space Efficiency & Effortless Operation
The mechanism of a sliding door resolves key challenges posed by bifolds, making it more practical for daily use and smaller spaces.
No Stacking Required: Bifold doors require a significant amount of stacking space, whether inside or outside, to accommodate the folded panels. This can interrupt patio furniture layouts or internal traffic flow. Sliding doors, in contrast, glide parallel to the wall, requiring zero additional space for operation. This makes them ideal for balconies, smaller gardens, or rooms where space is at a premium.
Simple, Controlled Access: Opening a bifold requires engaging and folding multiple panels and locks. A slimline slider requires one simple movement. For quick access to the garden or for letting in a breath of air, a sliding panel offers far better control—you can open it by just a few inches or fully.
3. Achieving a True Flush Finish
Contemporary design is defined by seamless transitions. Modern sliding systems excel at achieving a completely flush floor level.
The track of many high-end sliding doors can be recessed into the floor structure, allowing the internal floor finish (like tiles or wood) to run level with the external patio or decking. This barrier-free threshold dramatically blurs the line between your living room and the exterior, creating that highly sought-after indoor-outdoor connection without a step or lip.
Where Does a Slimline Slider Work Best?
While bifolds still have their place when a 100% clear opening is paramount (e.g., in a restaurant or large entertainment space), a slimline slider is the superior choice for most contemporary residential projects:
✅ Where the View is King: Coastal properties, homes overlooking a beautiful garden, or any space where the view is the primary design feature.
✅ Where Space is Limited: Smaller extensions, rooms leading onto a balcony, or narrow patios where a bifold stack would be intrusive.
✅ The Minimalist Aesthetic: For homeowners and architects aiming for an uncluttered, modern, and clean look defined by sharp lines and large glass planes.
✅ Cornerless Designs: Ultra-slim systems allow for open corner installations where two glass walls meet and slide away, eliminating the need for a fixed corner post.
The return of the sliding door, spearheaded by ultra-slim systems, is a testament to the fact that sometimes, less is truly more. By eliminating the bulk, contemporary sliders have reclaimed their position as the definitive choice for sophisticated, light-filled architecture.
Are you renovating or building a new extension? We can help you compare the specific slimline systems available to ensure you choose the perfect door for your design vision.
The Power of the 20mm Sightline: How Slimline Doors Revolutionize Your View
In modern architecture, the goal is often to dissolve the barrier between inside and out. It’s about more than just light; it’s about experience. For decades, the frame has been the necessary evil—a bulky structure interrupting the view.
But thanks to ultra-slim systems like the Cortizo Cor Vision, that paradigm is shifting. The secret weapon? An astonishingly slender 20mm sightline.
Here is how this tiny detail is making a massive difference in contemporary design.
1. The Optical Illusion: Creating the “Invisible Wall”
The most immediate and stunning impact of a 20mm sightline is its near-invisibility.
Maximum Glass, Minimum Frame: A 20mm profile is roughly the width of a standard smartphone. When you compare this to the 80mm–100mm frame of a traditional patio door, the difference is stark. The frame effectively disappears when viewed from a distance or on an angle.
A Painter’s Canvas: By minimizing the vertical obstruction, the frame no longer acts as a series of heavy vertical lines. Instead, it becomes a subtle boundary for the expansive glass, treating the outdoor landscape as a piece of constantly changing, living art. The view takes center stage, uninhibited.
2. Flooding Your Space with Natural Light
While large glass panels are the starting point for maximizing light, the 20mm sightline is the crucial element that ensures no light is lost.
In any glazed system, the amount of natural light entering your home is determined by the Glass-to-Frame Ratio.
A Higher Ratio = Brighter Rooms: With an ultra-slim frame, you achieve a higher glass-to-frame ratio. This means your doors bring in significantly more daylight compared to systems with thicker profiles, even if the overall aperture size is the same.
The Psychological Lift: This abundance of natural light is known to enhance mood, productivity, and overall well-being. It reduces reliance on artificial lighting during the day, creating brighter, more welcoming, and more energy-efficient spaces.
3. The Seamless Transition: Dissolving the Barrier
The revolution isn’t just about what the doors look like when they’re closed; it’s about what they enable when they’re open. The 20mm sightline works in tandem with other modern features to create a truly seamless transition.
When these elements combine, the door physically and visually vanishes when slid open. The line between your kitchen and your terrace, or your living room and your garden, is dissolved, creating a singular, unified living area. This is the essence of Indoor-Outdoor Living.
4. Architectural Freedom
For architects and designers, the 20mm sightline offers unprecedented freedom:
Cornerless Designs: Ultra-slim systems allow for open-corner configurations, where two large glass walls meet and slide away entirely, leaving a post-free, floating corner. The sightline is the only visible element, maintaining structural integrity without compromising the open-air effect.
Grand Scale: Because these systems are engineered to carry enormous panes of glass (often up to 400kg or more), the focus shifts from the framework to the sheer scale of the glazing itself. This allows for breathtaking, floor-to-ceiling glass walls.
Conclusion: A Small Detail, A Giant Leap
The 20mm sightline is a triumph of engineering and minimalism. It’s a testament to the idea that sometimes, the best design is the one you barely notice. By stripping the frame back to its absolute functional minimum, slimline sliding doors don’t just provide a view—they create a total sensory experience, fundamentally altering how we connect with the space around us.
Interested in exploring how ultra-slim doors could transform your next architectural project? We can discuss specific configurations, thermal performance, and customization options!
Architectural Considerations When Planning Your Modern Glazed Extension
Modern glazed extensions have become incredibly popular, and it’s easy to see why. They flood your home with natural light, create a seamless connection with your garden, and add a contemporary flair that can completely transform your living space. However, achieving that stunning, light-filled outcome requires careful architectural consideration. It’s not just about slapping some glass onto the back of your house!
Here are some key architectural aspects to ponder when planning your own modern glazed extension:
1. Integration with Existing Architecture: Harmony vs. Contrast
One of the first decisions is how your new extension will relate to your existing home. Do you want it to blend in seamlessly, almost as if it’s always been there, or do you prefer a striking contrast that highlights its modern design?
It’s important to consider sightlines from inside and outside your home to ensure the addition enhances, rather than detracts from, your property’s overall aesthetic.
2. Maximizing Natural Light and Views
The primary appeal of a glazed extension is light and connection to the outdoors. Architects are experts in harnessing these elements.
3. Thermal Performance and Solar Control
A common misconception is that glazed extensions are always cold in winter and too hot in summer. Modern architectural glazing has come a long way!
4. Structural Considerations and Detailing
Large expanses of glass require careful structural planning.
5. Internal Layout and Flow
An extension shouldn’t feel like an add-on; it should enhance the internal flow of your home.
Conclusion
A modern glazed extension is a significant investment that can dramatically improve your home and lifestyle. By carefully considering these architectural points and working with an experienced architect, you can ensure your new space is not only beautiful but also highly functional, comfortable, and sustainable for years to come.