Sliding Doors – Aluminium vs Timber Aluminium

Choosing the Right Sliding Door System for Your Home

When it comes to sliding doors in homes, the material really sets the tone. At Glass Worx, we believe your sliding doors are more than functional—they’re architectural statements. Whether you’re working with sleek modern spaces or traditional character homes, the system you choose says something about your style, performance expectations and future lifestyle.

What Makes a luxury Sliding Door?

A top tier sliding door isn’t just about aesthetics. When we talk luxury sliding doors at Glass Worx, we look for five key characteristics:

  • Large spans & lots of glass – the ability to slide sections away and open up a wall to the outdoors.
  • Slim sightlines – minimal frame visible, maximum view and light.
  • High performance – excellent thermal insulation, smooth operation and low maintenance.
  • Beautiful finish and detailing – refined handles, premium materials, superior craftsmanship.
  • Longevity – the door system should last decades, maintain its performance and enhance the home’s value.
  • When you combine those traits with the right material and system, that’s when you deliver real luxury.

Our Recommended Systems

At Glass Worx we offer three standout suppliers to cover different styles and project requirements:

  • QFort aluminium sliding systems – Panorama 5 and Panorma 7, ideal for modern homes, large spans and minimal profiles.
  • Internorm lift & slide doors – Passive house sliding door system – combining high performance with design versatility and premium finishes.
  • Dako lift & slide doors – high-end engineering with strong performance and refined aesthetics.

We’ll walk through how each material mindset (aluminium vs timber or timber-look) works, and how our selected systems deliver the benefits.


Why Aluminium Excels in Modern Sliding Doors

Aluminium is the go-to for contemporary architecture. Its inherent strength allows for extremely slim frames, large glazed areas and flawless structural performance. With QFort aluminium systems, you get:

  • Ultra-slim profiles supporting heavy glass panes and wide openings.
  • Powder-coated or anodised finishes in virtually any colour, including deep rich tones or timber-effect finishes for added warmth.
  • Excellent thermal performance thanks to modern thermal-break design and compatibility with triple glazing.
  • Minimal maintenance – no warping, swelling or fading, and just an occasional clean required.
    For any build where the goal is “glass first, frame second”, aluminium systems win.

Timber Aluminium Sliding Doors – Warmth & Character

For homes where material texture, grain and authenticity matter, a timber or timber-look sliding door offers something different: warmth, character and luxury. Internorm’s timber Aluminium lift and slide doors:

  • A natural aesthetic and surface feel that adds richness to the interior.
  • Advanced engineering that stabilises the timber, offers high thermal performance and resists movement.
  • The ability to blend with traditional finishes while delivering modern glazing performance.


Making the Right Choice for Your Project

  1. Style of the house – Ultra-modern? Go for aluminium. Traditional or material-rich? Timber/Aluminium might suit better.
  2. Opening size & view – If you want wall-to-wall glass and minimal structure, aluminium options like QFort are ideal.
  3. Budget vs lifecycle – Aluminium systems often have lower lifetime maintenance. Timber adds warmth.
  4. Performance requirements – All our systems deliver high specs, but if you need top acoustics, triple glazing or large spans, choose accordingly.
  5. Material feel – Walk into our showroom and experience each system. Touch the frames, slide the doors, see how light plays off the glass and frame.

Visit Our Showroom & Experience the Difference

Luxury sliding doors aren’t just about specs—they’re about how they feel when you open them, how they connect your space to the outdoors, and how they elevate everyday living. At our showroom, you can explore each of these systems in person, experience the build quality and finish, and discuss what will best complement your Scottish home.

Ready to elevate your home? Get in touch with Glass Worx today, and let’s find the sliding door system that fits your vision, your build and your future lifestyle.