Doors – Welcome to Ruislip Windows

Origin Global Aluminium Doors 😍

We are delighted to introduce the luxury Origin Global window and door range to our ever expanding portfolio:

Bifolding doors
Sliding patio doors
Interior doors
Entrance doors

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1920-x-600-Origin-SOHO-OB-36-1

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1920 x 600 Origin OB-36+ Architects Studio ASP3403

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Bifolding doors

SOHO Collection and Contemporary Collection bifold doors — *The brand new SOHO Collection (left) and the classic Contemporary Collection (right)*

Our Origin Bifold Doors are availalbe in two collections, the all new industrial style steel-look SOHO collection and the classic Contemporary Collection. Handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail, both collections redefine the standards of elegance, making a bold statement in any architectural setting.

OB-36+ SOHO

Sightline = 84mm
Height = min 1974mm / max 2500mm
Width = min 600mm / max 6000mm
Single colour only
No midrail
Glazing bar option
U-Value = Up to 0.8W/m²K
8-point locking system with 3-Star Diamond cylinder and PAS 24 as standard
Secured by Design accredited

OB-49 Contemporary

Sightline = 110mm
Height = min 524mm / max 3025mm
Width = min 463mm / max 6000mm
Dual colour option
Midrail option
Glazing bar option
U-Value = Up to 1.1W/m²K
8-point locking system with 3-Star Diamond cylinder and PAS 24 as standard
Secured by Design accredited

OB-72 Contemporary

Sightline = 110mm
Height = min 524mm / max 3025mm
Width = min 474mm / max 6000mm
Dual colour option
Midrail option
Glazing bar option
U-Value = Up to 1.1W/m²K
8-point locking system. Upgradable to 3-Star Diamond cylinder and PAS 24
Secured by Design accredited

All bifold door collections are also available configured as French doors:

Find out more:

Download the latest brochures from our website here >>
Contact us to discuss your requirements and to book your free no-obligatory quotation.

Sliding patio doors

Offering four different sightlines across two systems – the Origin Artisan Slider and the Origin Patio Slider. Some of the slimmest aluminium sliding doors on the market with expansive uninterrupted views, no compromising on quality or thermal performance and industry leading security features.

THE ARTISAN SLIDER OS-20:
Minimal and sleek in design, the Artisan Slider has ultra-slim sightlines of just 20mm. This is a bonded system (wet glazed) where the glass and frame comes as one unit. The benefits to this are that the doors have improved weather tightness and slimmer sightlines are achieved. This is a sliding door that’s incredibly secure, thermally efficient and aesthetically stunning.

Height = min 1600mm / max 3000mm
Width = min 1228mm / max 13,196mm
U-Value = 1.4W/m2K

THE PATIO SLIDER: OS-29, OS-44 AND OS-77:
A modern take on the traditional sliding patio door with three sightline options available. The OS-29 is the slimmest, with sightlines of just 29mm, maximising glass and the level of natural light which can flood in. OS-44 with sightlines of 44mm and OS-77 with sightlines of 77mm provide a more traditional style of patio system, with an injection of effortless elegance.

OS-29

Sightline = 29mm
Height = min 1480mm / max 2600mm
Width = min 1463mm / max 11,929mm
U-Value = Up to 1.3W/m²K

OS-44

Sightline = 44mm
Height = min 1940mm / max 2600mm
Width = min 1463mm / max 11,803mm
U-Value = Up to 1.3W/m²K

OS-77

Sightline = 77mm
Height = min 1940mm / max 2600mm
Width = min 1462mm / max 11,803mm
U-Value = Up to 1.3W/m²K

Find out more:

Download the latest brochures from our website here >>
Contact us to discuss your requirements and to book your free no-obligatory quotation.

Interior doors

Introducing these industrial art-deco style stunners to grace your interiors. We love these stylish new internal aluminium doors, that perfectly complement our new SOHO external door collection. You can choose how many glazing bars you want – more for a heritage look and less for an of-the-moment industrial look, and as for colour, well you have 150 RAL colours to choose from.

Available as single doors, double doors, fixed screen and corner configurations.

Sleek and luxurious, the slimline frames of our OI-30 doors seamlessly blend with your interior design style for a visually striking finish.

Choose a frame-free option if you prefer, fitting the door straight into the existing frame fro total ease.
Blackout panels and kickplates options are available.
Create break out rooms or office rooms or any room you choose with our corner configurations or fixed screen room dividers. The only limit is your imagination.

Find out more:

Download the latest brochures from our website here >>
Contact us to discuss your requirements and to book your free no-obligatory quotation.

Aluminium Entrance Doors

The Origin Aluminium Front Door is a precision-driven, expertly engineered object of beauty. From single front doors and double doors that can be used in a home or garage space, through to grand entranceways with sidelights and fanlights, our range of front doors are made from exclusive premium grade aluminium, enabling you to create a personal statement with ease; because first impressions matter.

Choose from ten stylish “panels” in a wide range of colours. From panels that include lots of glass to flood your hallway with natural light, classic styles that never go out of fashion, and ultra-modern aluminium panels – there’s a style to suit every taste.

Or, why not opt for a glass solution…

Alternatively, you can also specify a glazed door with clear or frosted glass. In addition, you can also opt for a door with a midrail. Popular in porches and as a back door or kitchen door, the midrail can accommodate glass on both the top and bottom, or a panel can be used in the lower section for additional privacy.

Find out more:

Download the latest brochures from our website here >>
Contact us to discuss your requirements and to book your free no-obligatory quotation.

For more information on our full range of Origin doors or to chat with us further, please contact us:

By email: office@ruislipwindows.co.uk
By phone: (020) 8868 1133

Composite Fire Doors: safety, security and fire protection all in one. 👍

*Our composite fire doors have been fire tested on both the **internal** and **external** sides for up to 30 minutes with fully independent third party certification.*

A composite fire door is visually very similar to a standard composite door but with the added protection of specific fireproof materials. Controlled and exacting manufacturing standards coupled with rigorous third party testing* for fire doors not only demonstrates integrity against fire but also delivers performance relative to smoke control, security, weather, sound insulation and thermal performance.

*Bi-directional tests (tested on both sides of the door) are conducted by third party UKAS accredited test centres. (UKAS is the national accreditation body for the UK).

Why would I need a fire door?

Fire doors actively help to control the spread of fire and smoke, allowing you vital time to evacuate safely. It is a legal requirement for residential apartment blocks to have an FD30* entrance door fitted. It is also an essential consideration for houses of multiple occupancy and any house that has an internal door leading from an integral garage into the home. Any new build or home renovation that has three or more floors must have fire doors fitted to every habitable room that leads from a stairwell. This applies to loft conversions where an extra floor has been added to a two-storey home.

*FD30 means the door has been tested and proven to withstand fire for 30 minutes.

Why would I choose a composite fire door?

Composite doors were designed to emulate a traditional painted wooden door without any of the maintenance concerns associated with timber doors. Composite fire doors are available in both traditional and contemporary styles, with toplight and glazing options, a wide choice of colours and approved door furniture. You don’t have to compromise on looks, style, security or protection.

*Examples of FD30 composite fire doors.*

How are fire doors tested?

Doorsets (the full door, frame, any toplight and door furniture) are furnace tested at a UKAS accredited test laboratory. The doorset is secured into the furnace wall and is then fire tested on both the internal and external sides. Sensors are attached to the face of the door and record the performance of different elements of the doorset, such as deflection of the doorleaf and temperature of the furnace. The duration of the test is the number of minutes for which the doorset is to be classified.

The results of this furnace test form a fire door test report, detailing the exact specification of the product and how it was tested. It’s important to remember that the fire test report demonstrates how one particular sample fire doorset performed at one point in time.

The fire door test report is then combined with third party certification. The manufacturer ensures that critical factory production control systems are put in place and are regularly audited, together with the control of raw materials and components. This means that every doorset is manufactured to the same exacting standards and specification as the original doorset in the furnace test.

*Example of a composite fire door furnace test.*

*Composite fire entrance doors in a residential communal hallway.*
*Courtesy of Guardsman Fire Doors.*

All our FD30 fire doors have been tested to BS476 Part 22, and are subject to the Q-Mark enhanced security scheme. In addition, the doors have also been tested to BS EN 1634-3 smoke control test and comply with PAS023/PAS024 security accreditations.

For more information on our composite fire doors please contact us:

By email: office@ruislipwindows.co.uk
By phone: (020) 8868 1133

SMARTS Visoglide bifold and sliding patio doors

The latest addition to our portfolio of aluminium architectural doors is the much respected Visoglide range from Smarts.

With over 35 years’ experience, Smarts Architectural Aluminium are one of the UK’s leading supplier of window and door systems, taking great pride not only in the quality, breadth and depth of their product range, but also in their design expertise and support services.

Smarts Aluminium 4-panel bifold door — *We’re excited to add **Visoglide** and **Visofold** doors to our portfolio, which currently includes Aluk and our premium range from Reynaers.*

Create a relaxed feeling of light and space and frame the beautiful views of your garden and beyond. Suitable for installation in any room, these elegant door systems add a touch of finesse and provide a striking glass façade.

Whether you want to open up space using our Visofold multi-panelled slide-folding doors which concertina back to one or both sides of the frame, or introduce a Visoglide sliding door (comprising two or more large panes which slide open to leave the panels behind each other), we have the perfect solution. With high-security glazing and locking mechanism (including security deadlock and hook bolts), and an unrivalled colour range to choose from (including dual-colour options), each door can be tailored to meet your own precise requirements.

Smarts Aluminium sliding patio doors. — *Smarts Aluminium sliding patio doors in white.*

Our systems have been designed to not only withstand all that the elements can throw at them, but also to deliver minimum heat loss and great thermal efficiency.

Renowned for its perfect combination of light weight and high strength, aluminium is the ideal material for sliding and folding doors, providing slim, elegant designs and outstanding performance.
With a life-span measured in decades rather than years, together with extremely low maintenance requirements, aluminium has become the perfect choice for home owners.
All our systems are designed with performance, looks and efficiency in mind, with each frame incorporating a ‘thermal-break’ to insulate doors against heat loss, raise the internal temperature of a house and help reduce the risk of condensation.
Maintenance for aluminium systems is simple and straightforward, with a routine ‘wipe-clean’ all that is required to keep the products looking their best. With no requirement for re-painting or re-varnishing, aluminium windows and doors will never fade, deteriorate or rust, even in harsh environments, or coastal locations.

*Smarts Aluminium 4-panel bifold door in anthracite.*

Discover more and download the latest brochure from our website here.

Double glazing -v- triple glazing: what’s the best option?

Triple-glazing is often marketed as a better option than double-glazing, especially when it comes to thermal insulation. But is this really the case?

If you look at the websites of the big nationals for instance, you could be forgiven for wondering why so many companies are still even selling double glazing when triple glazing appears to be so much better at insulation and soundproofing your home! Here we attempt to debunk many of the myths that surround triple glazing, and clarify the facts to help you make an informed decision that’s right for you.

Example of a triple glazed sealed unit and a double glazed sealed unit.

While it’s true that triple-glazing does offer some benefits, it may not be the best or most economic solution for you.

Triple glazing is a better insulator for your home than double glazing.
The energy performance of windows is measured in U-Values. Lower U-values = a more energy efficient window. Traditional single glazed windows can have a U value in excess of 5. Building Regulations now stipulate that modern double glazing should have a U-value of no less than 1.6.

U-Values for older double glazing used to be much higher. However in recent years the manufacturing process has been greatly improved to provide much more energy efficient units. These improvements have been brought about by the introduction of wider cavities between the two glass panes, low-emissivity coatings being added to the glass to stop heat escaping (glass such as Pilkington K or Planitherm Softcoat Total), the cavity being filled with an inert gas (usually argon) and the use of warm-edge spacer bars (instead of aluminium).

Triple-glazing enables window manufacturers to achieve U-values of 1.0 and lower. So yes, triple glazing can enhance heat retention. But such U-values are really only of benefit when they are installed into an overall energy saving build, such as in a low energy house or a “passive house”. Where windows are being fitted into a standard build or as part of a refurbishment project then sealed units offering U-values as low as 1.1 are preferable and easily achievable with double glazing.

With the exception of perhaps the northern reaches of Scotland, the rest of the UK is simply not cold enough to warrant the use of triple glazing. Scandinavian countries such as Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Finland and other far northern countries use triple glazing because temperatures such as -20° C can be quite frequent. Highly energy efficient windows and doors, triple and sometimes quadruple-glazed are absolutely necessary to help reinforce the fabric of the buildings against the cold.

As far as the UK is concerned, there are many who argue that triple glazing simply doesn’t make sense in our climate. It is more costly to produce, produces much heavier sections and has an embodied energy approximately 50% higher than double glazing. Why would home owners pay more when good double glazed windows would easily tick the box?

Triple glazing is a better sound insulator than double glazing.
One of the biggest selling points of triple glazing has been its ability to reduce noise and outdoor sound. The thickness of the glass used is one of the three key elements of the sound insulation. Different thicknesses of glass will block a different frequency, so a combination of panes of varying thickness is more effective at keeping noise out. This is known as asymmetrical glazing. However, (and somewhat ironically!) most fabricators currently appear to offer triple glazed units with standardised cavities and glass thicknesses.

The second key element is the size of the gap between the panes. The larger the gap, the better the overall sound insulation effect. Finally the use of an acoustical resistant gas to augment or replace the inert gas (usually argon) will effectively help reflect noise away.

If sound insulation is important to you then it would be worth considering acoustic glass sealed units (such as Pilkington Optiphon or St Gobain’s acoustic glass, both of which are laminates) or even secondary double glazing instead. Secondary glazing will have a much greater air gap than can be achieved in triple glazing, and can achieve great noise reduction at considerably less cost.

In conclusion – For

Triple-glazing offers low U-values suited to specific low-energy and “passive house” projects and can return the value of your investment when fitted as part of these specifications.
If asymmetrical glazing is used together with acoustic glass, some noise reduction can be achieved.

In conclusion – Against

Higher cost.
Reduced light penetration due to additional layer of glass.
Minimal savings in energy bills in comparison to the higher cost.
Benefits such as noise reduction and solar control can be included in double-glazing for less than the cost of a standard triple-glazed unit.
Overall greater weight than a double glazed unit could pose problems for your windows – sashes dropping can be an issue.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for any further information. We look forward to hearing from you and hope to see you soon! 🙂

Door dilemma: composite -v- uPVC – what’s the difference?

Doors have come on a long way in recent years, but it’s the subtle new features that can make a big aesthetic difference to your home.

So what is the difference between a composite door and a uPVC panel door?

COMPOSITE DOORS
Quite simply, composite doors are designed to look like a painted wooden door. They are a single door with an outer frame and a threshold. You can have a choice of colours both inside and outside. Visually, a composite door looks much more like a traditional wooden door.

Two examples of composite doors with sidelights. Smooth white uPVC outer frames and coloured wood effect traditional style composite doors.

uPVC DOORS
These come in two main options, either with a full panel (usually decorative) or they can have a midrail so the door can have a half panel at the bottom and glazing at the top. For panel doors, essentially instead of having glass in the door you have a panel. With a resi door you also have an outer frame and threshold. Resi doors can come in smooth or woodgrain foiled finishes.

Two examples of uPVC resi doors with door panels. LEFT: Half panelled door in oak effect foiled resi with midrail and decorative panel to lower section and matching glazed sidelight. RIGHT: Full panelled resi with decorative cottage style panel in smooth white.

In our opinion, panelled doors are a more cost effective solution but composite doors are much better looking!

One of the most obvious differences between a composite and a panelled door is the look of the panel. Despite much improvement over the years, panels still have a somewhat “moulded plastic” look about them. And because the panel is fitted into the door, you have a somewhat heavy framed look, almost a “door within a door” look. Sometimes you can see a gasket line between the actual door and the panel itself, too. Composite doors generally have a much better aesthetic overall.

A contemporary panelled door in black/brown with sidelights. Panelled doors have improved greatly in recent years – this example is stylish and modern. But because the panel is fitted into the door, you have a heavy framed aesthetic which looks almost like a “door within a door”.

HOW DO THEY COMPARE ON PRICE?
A panelled door is more cost effective than a composite, so if you are on a tight budget and really want that new front door then the panelled option might allow you to do this. To be perfectly honest though, we would always recommend you opt for a good composite front door if you can, even if it means having to wait a while. Many customers get their windows replaced and then will have a new front door installed the following year or a few months later.

HALF PANELLED DOORS
These are more popular than a full panelled door and depending on the choice of panel, can actually look quite stylish. Panels are available in a range of colours with either flat or decorative options and are a cost effective choice for both front and back doors.

Half panelled doors. LEFT: Smart looking resi with midrail in Irish oak foil. Decorative moulded panel to lower section, glazed with leaded stained glass to top section. Gold lever handle and letterplate. RIGHT: Smooth white resi with midrail. Decorative moulded panel to lower section, glazed in obscure glass to top section. Complementary sidelights. White lever handle and letterplate.

THE YALE-STYLE RIM LATCH = KISS GOODBYE TO LEVER HANDLES ON YOUR COMPOSITE DOOR!
Multi-point locking doors have always been defined by their lever handles, there’s been no getting away from the fact; the handle is used to engage the multi-point locking system. Traditional wooden doors would have a Yale (or similar style) rim latch lock, where you would pull the door shut when you left the house. Now stylish escutcheon multi-point rim latch locks are available for composite doors. Operated with a thumb-turn mechanism from the inside, which activates the multi-lock when you are in the house, these new locks are the perfect answer for a modern, maintenance-free traditional style front door.

Yale-style rim latch locks are now a popular choice on composite doors. Unlike a Yale lock though, the rim latch acts as a multi-point lock, securing the door into the frame at a number of points upon closure. Operated by a simple thumb-turn mechanism on the interior of the door, the multi-lock is engaged as soon as the door is shut (known as a slam-shut). This is the Winkhaus Heritage multi-lock which is available on our Hurst composite doors. Quick, simple, secure.

Still not sure which to choose? Why not get some expert advice and give us a call on (020) 8868 1133 – we will be more than happy to talk you through all the different options available to you.

We hope to hear from you soon! 🙂

Bifold doors -v- sliding doors – which to choose?

When choosing whether to have a sliding patio door or a bifold door, there are a number of factors that you may wish to consider.

Here at Ruislip Windows we believe in offering our customers a choice. That’s why we install bifolding doors and sliding patio doors from top manufacturers such as Crown Sapa, Aluk and our premium range from Raynaers Aluminium. Bifold doors literally exploded onto the market a few years ago and saw a huge surge in popularity. And now the latest sliding patio doors are a far cry from the sliding doors of old, offering much wider, contemporary profiles, so the question is, which door do you go for – bifold or patio?

The main advantage of bifold doors is that they allow for whole walls of glass to be opened up completely. However, they can be quite frame-heavy, meaning less glazing, and the stacked door panels when open can provide quite an obstacle to the more modest-sized patio or kitchen.

Sliding patio doors are shaking off their somewhat less than trendy associations of the past and are now a hugely popular choice in contemporary homes. They provide lots of light thanks to narrow frames and wider expanses of glass. Having no door sections to fold back, they save on space and provide visually “cleaner” lines.

Bifold doors remain a hugely popular choice but industry experts now feel that an increasing number of homeowners are opting for the new contemporary style sliding patio doors.

Both our bifolding and sliding door systems have superb aesthetics and excellent performance:

Bifold doors can open up about 90% of the aperture, really opening up the room to the garden. Sliding doors by comparison will typically open up between 50% and 65% of the aperture.
For ventilation purposes, the sliding door offers the most flexible solution with the ability to open the door just as far as necessary to make the room comfortable. The bifold door’s flexibility will depend on its design, but often opening a door leaf is the minimum you can do to let some fresh air in.
If having an uninterrupted view is important, then a sliding door may be a better option. Sliding doors allow larger panel sizes in wider widths, giving a maximised expanse of glazing when closed. The bigger door panels with large panes of glass give more of a panoramic view than a bifold door that has several narrower door panels, each with a frame around them.
With the bifold door, you can choose to have all the door panels stacking to the left or the right, or you can choose to split them so some stack each side. When making these decisions, it is worth remembering that the doors require some clear space around them in order to open, and you don’t want to be moving furniture or plant pots every time you open the doors.
The number of door panels will usually be dictated by the size of the opening, but it is worth considering the benefits of choosing a design with a single access “traffic” door. Found on designs with an odd number of door panels, the traffic door is a single door that can be opened without unlocking the rest of the door panels. Operating just like a normal back door, this is convenient for when you just want to nip out into the garden quickly.

Raynaers aluminium sliding patio doors. Sliding doors allow larger panel sizes in wider widths, giving a maximised expanse of glazing when closed.

THE THRESHOLD QUESTION
Look at the all those lovely marketing photos of bifold doors and you will usually see a door that has a flush threshold – a continuous floor with no step between the inside and outside. In reality, most bifold doors come with a choice of different threshold options, the reason being that there is a trade off between the height of the threshold and the level of weather resistance the door can offer. So whilst a flush threshold can be achieved, it is not usually recommended, thanks to the good old British weather! Doors with the best weather ratings will always have a higher threshold to step over. It is certainly worth considering how exposed your door will be to the elements, but rest assured that most people find there is a satisfactory compromise using one of the intermediate thresholds.

We hope to hear from you soon! 🙂