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Aluminium Sliding Doors - Frequently Asked Questions
Explore key FAQs on aluminium sliding doors, including performance, design and sustainability insights.
Aluminium sliding doors offer a combination of strength, sleek sightlines and design versatility that allows architects to maximise natural light while maintaining long-term durability. Their structural stability supports large panes of glass without compromising performance.
TECHNAL’s TIGAL and CONFORT Smartline systems build on these advantages, offering advanced thermal, acoustic and weather performance tailored to contemporary commercial and residential architecture.
TECHNAL offers three sliding door systems designed to support different project requirements: TIGAL and CONFORT Smartline.
TIGAL Sliding Door System
TIGAL is a hybrid pull-slide system designed for demanding urban, high-rise and exposed locations.
Suitable for residential, commercial and mixed-use developments, it combines strong air tightness, water tightness and wind resistance with acoustic performance of up to Rw 45 dB when specified with appropriate glazing.
The system can accommodate glazing up to 52mm and supports floor-to-ceiling configurations, making it perfect where weather performance, noise reduction and security are key priorities.
CONFORT Smartline Sliding Door System
CONFORT Smartline is a minimalist aluminium sliding system designed for wide openings and slim sightlines.
With a 38mm interlock, glazing up to 53mm and configurations of up to six sliding leaves, it is suitable for terraces, balconies, hospitality projects and mixed-use developments. Recessed threshold options, smooth operation and large glazed areas help maximise natural light while supporting a clean architectural appearance. These features make CONFORT Smartline a popular choice for modular sliding door systems and external sliding door systems for UK and Irish projects.
SOLEAL Sliding Door System
SOLEAL Sliding Door is a slim aluminium sliding system (SOLEAL GY) engineered for large-scale openings and straight-cut assembly.
With sizes up to 4300 x 2600mm (2-track, 2-leaf), glass weights up to 200kg per leaf and slim 88mm frame sightlines, it suits residential, commercial and hospitality projects requiring generous glazed openings. for projects with a cost consideration and for fabricators who cater to homeowners.
Uw values as low as 1.4 W/m²K, Class 4 air permeability, multi-point locking and accessible thresholds support performance and inclusive access. Made with Hydro CIRCAL® aluminium (75% recycled, 95% recyclable), it delivers large-span sliding door systems with low embodied carbon for UK and Irish projects.
Sleek aluminium frames allow for larger areas of glazing, creating bright, open interiors. CONFORT Smartline foor example, uses a minimalist 38mm interlock to maximise daylight while delivering a clean, contemporary aesthetic.
TIGAL also supports large glazing with its floor-to-ceiling configurations, enhancing daylighting and ensuring strong visual connection to outdoor spaces even in dense urban settings.
Yes. Aluminium’s inherent strength and resistance to corrosion make it well suited for tall buildings and challenging climates. TIGAL is specifically engineered for urban and high-rise environments, delivering excellent wind resistance, watertightness, airtightness and acoustic performance.
TIGAL is a hybrid pull-slide door designed for high thermal, acoustic and weather performance making it ideal for noise-sensitive or exposed locations. It’s patented water-tightness technology provides window-level sealing with sliding door functionality.
CONFORT Smartline prioritises minimalist aesthetics and smooth operation for wide-span openings, offering excelllent thermal insulation through glass fibre reinforced polyamide strips and PE-insulated cavities.
High-quality aluminium systems include insulated profiles and advanced glazing to reduce heat loss and improve energy efficiency. CONFORT Smartline integrates 50mm polyamide strips and PE-insulated cavities to achieve strong thermal performance without additional inserts.
TIGAL similarly delivers high thermal insulation, supporting passive comfort and reducing operational energy demands in urban or high-traffic environments.
Yes - when combined with suitable glazing, aluminium sliding systems can provide excellent acoustic insulation. TIGAL, for example, can reach up to Rw 45 dB with the appropriate glazed specification, making it suitable for city centres or sites near transport corridors.
Absolutely. Modern aluminium sliding systems support large leaf sizes and wide spans while maintaining stability and ease of operation. CONFORT Smartline enables expansive openings with up to six sliding leaves across multi-rail configurations.
TIGAL supports heights up to 4000mm and leaf weights up to 300kg, enabling dramatic, floor-to-ceiling expressions without compromising performance.
Aluminium frames accommodate robust locking mechanisms and security glazing. TIGAL includes a full-perimeter multipoint locking system and is tested to RC2 burglary resistance standards, offering air flow through its micro-ventilation mode.
TECHNAL is part of Hydro, a global leader in low-carbon aluminium. All TECHNAL systems are available in Hydro CIRCAL® 75R as standard, an aluminium alloy with a minimum of 75% recycled post-consumer scrap. This helps to reduce the embodied carbon in the building envelope by 80% when compared with the European average for primary aluminium production.
For projects where net-zero and low embodied carbon is essential, Hydro CIRCAL® 100R is available on request. This 100% recycled post-consumer scrap aluminium alloy has just 0.5kg CO2e per kg of aluminium.
By combining low-carbon aluminium with high-performance glazing, TECHNAL sliding doors can support projecs working toward Passive House standards, net-zero carbon targets, sustainability certifications and circular design principles, without compromising on aesthetics or performance.
TECHNAL sliding door systems are developed to accommodate multi-point locking and robust hardware, providing a high level of security when specified and installed in line with guidance. Glazing options and reinforcement can also be selected to address specific security requirements.
Compliance with particular UK or Irish standards will depend on the chosen system and configuration. For detailed information on security performance and available test evidence, specifiers should refer to official TECHNAL documentation or contact the technical team.
TECHNAL sliding door systems can be used in both new build and refurbishment projects. Applications include commercial developments, residential schemes, hospitality refurbishments and upgrades to existing façades, balconies and terraces.
In refurbishment projects, system selection should consider existing structural openings, threshold constraints and coordination with surrounding façades, slabs and drainage details. Appropriately specified sliding door systems can help improve daylight, comfort and connections between interior and exterior spaces while supporting wider project objectives.
Low or flush thresholds and smooth operating mechanisms help create easy transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces. Both TIGAL and CONFORT Smartline offer recessed threshold options designed to support accessibility requirements in UK and Irish projects. The smooth sliding action also supports inclusive design for users with reduced mobility.
Both TECHNAL sliding systems support substantial glazing depths suited to modern performance requirements. TIGAL accepts glazing up to 52mmm, allowing for high-performance double or triple-glazed units.
CONFORT Smartline supports glazing up to 53mm, enabling enhanced thermal, acoustic and safety perfoormance depending on project needs.
The most appropriate sliding door system will depend on the specific requirements of the project.
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Choose TIGAL for high-rise, exposed, urban or noise-sensitive developments where air tightness, weather resistance, acoustic comfort and security are priorities.
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Choose CONFORT Smartline for wide openings, slim sightlines, terraces, balconies, hospitality settings and projects where minimalist design and smooth operation are the main priorities. When comparing sliding door systems, key considerations include:
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Building type.
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Exposure level.
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Opening size.
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Glazing thickness.
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Acoustic requirements.
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Thermal targets.
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Threshold and accessibility requirements.
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Security strategy.
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Façade integration.
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Fabrication requirements.
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Sustainability objectives.
These factors should be reviewed early in the design process to help identify the most suitable solution.
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