Collingwood

The design intent was to create a transparent living space that felt open to the garden without adding visual weight to the rear of the home. The slim sliding doors in Tunbridge Wells help achieve this by keeping the frame lines minimal while allowing large areas of glass to define the extension. The PPC RAL 7016 finish gives the elevations a crisp, architectural look that sits neatly against the wider glazed structure.

The main elevation uses a two track, four panel minimal windows sliding door in a biparting configuration, allowing the sliding panels to meet centrally and open the extension across a wide span. The side elevation uses one fixed pane and one sliding panel, adding practical access while maintaining the same low frame appearance. The sliding door package was coordinated with the surrounding structure to keep junctions clean at floor, wall and roof level.

The sliding door systems were designed for large format double glazed units, supporting the transparent appearance of the extension while providing long term durability. The glazing units were heat soak tested and the overall structure was engineered to withstand wind loads of approximately 0.9 kN/m². This allows the slim sliding doors in Tunbridge Wells to perform confidently within a highly glazed extension while preserving the minimal visual style.

Installation focused on accurate alignment between the tracks, sliding panels and fixed glass elements. Integrated slot drainage was coordinated at the threshold to help manage water at the base of the doors while maintaining a clean floor finish. The PPC RAL 7016 aluminium framing and associated pressings were also coordinated to give the sliding elevations a consistent finish across the project.

The finished extension is bright, open and strongly connected to the garden. The four panel biparting doors create a wide front opening, while the two panel side system adds further access and transparency. Collingwood demonstrates how slim sliding doors in Tunbridge Wells can be used to create a contemporary living space with practical function, clean detailing and strong architectural impact.

Product: minimal windows sliding doors

Main elevation: two track, four panel sliding door system

Main configuration: biparting

Main elevation size: approximately 9.4m wide by 2.6m tall

Side elevation: two track, two panel sliding door system

Side configuration: one fixed pane and one sliding panel

Side elevation size: approximately 2.7m wide by 2.6m tall

Finish: PPC RAL 7016

Threshold detail: integrated slot drainage

Glazing: double glazed

Testing: heat soak tested glazing units

Wind load: approximately 0.9 kN/m²