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Flush thresholds on patio doors

A low or flush threshold on patio doors is a desirable feature whether you’re looking at replacing your old patio doors or choosing the best doors for a new extension. In this article, we explain the various options for getting that desired look and feel with a low or flush threshold.

flush threshold on patio doors

Getting the perfect flush threshold on patio doors

First of all, it’s worth knowing that the standard threshold on our frameless slide and stack doors is just 5mm when sunk into the floor. It’s less than most other aluminium bifolding or sliding doors on the market. Many of these start at 15mm tall. There are even system where the low threshold version is only suitable for internal use.

Our advanced, highly secure, energy efficient and fully weathered doors we’ve designed to give you the best patio door solution in your home. The threshold on our doors we think is one of the best and certainly one of the lowest.

But it’s also fully weathered and wheelchair friendly. Therefore our patented frameless glass doors give you the neat and consistent sightline. And they come with the smooth transition to your patio area or garden. Of course, our own design gives you the flush look and the ability to have your internal flooring matching up with your decking or slabs on the outside.

How patio doors tracks and thresholds work

With most door brands and systems the track or threshold offers a standard installation solution or one where it’s set into the floor for a lower line. Correctly fitted, it not only creates the desired flush look but also ensures your doors remain weathertight when closed.

A good set of doors provide all the weather protection you need and the design also allows effective drainage of water to the outside. Most of our customers choose our frameless doors for their new extension. This is where we at FGC work with you, your builder or architect early on in the planning and design stage.

If you’ve yet to build your new extension, plan early. When all parties involved in your project work together, mistakes and delays are avoided. We provide your builder with either drawings, information or even a sample of the track. Knowing the makeup of our doors before they arrive lets your builder create the correct opening.

Why drainage is important on patio door thresholds

How water drains to the outside is one of the crucial design features when planning a flush threshold on patio doors. On a standard installation, the doors sit on a cill. As the rainwater runs down the glass and frame, it lands on the cill. The projecting nature of a good cill deflects the water away from the doors.

On a low or flush version, it’s often the case your builder creates a suitable drainage area at the front of the doors. Again we frequently work with builders providing useful details of how our doors drain and what needs doing with the structure and exterior area in front of the door track.

In order to get the best result and no risk of leaking, drainage planning is essential. This also helps you and your builder understand the relationship of inside and outside flooring and their relationship to the threshold on your patio doors.

You’ll benefit from excellent weather performance, sealing the door at the critical flush threshold and all around the doors too.

Tips and Advice for getting the ideal patio door flush threshold

  • For new extensions, plan early and before work starts building the door openings.
  • Ensure you and your builder have an understanding of the door track. Every door is different and there’s no one size fits all approach.
  • Remember, bifolding and sliding doors don’t have the same design at the bottom track.
  • Do get to see your chosen doors fitted. It’s the best way to understand how to get the look you want.
  • Make sure your various trades are aware of the inside and outside finished floor sizes and dimensions.
  • The bigger the door opening, the more challenging for this to be 100% level and square.
white patio doors with flush threshold

Let our transformational glass doors create the perfect modern room

Whether you choose our standard doors or even an open corner design, our doors promise a stunning new room with that smooth garden access thanks to our super low threshold.

We’ve also got a great section with all the common questions about our unique product. Or why not get in touch and discuss your property improvement project with us. At FGC our doors give you the perfect exterior patio door. You can even use them inside the home as stylish room dividers too.

We also offer a full range of aluminium windows, bifolding and sliding doors,
and front doors as FGC Bespoke Aluminium.

Visit the FGC Showroom

You can now visit our showroom in Strood, Kent.

The full range of Frameless products are on display in wide variety of configurations.

We request you contact us to make an appointment before visiting to avoid overcrowding.

Find out more about the FGC Kent showroom.

Reviews on Facebook and Google

FGCExcellentFGC4.5 Based on 40 reviews fromSee all reviews review us onInci P.Inci P. ★★★★★ Great product with diligent, professional staff from start to finish. Highly recommended.Paul B.Paul B. ★★★★★ Firstly I have to say a huge thank you to Paul the owner of FGC for being willing to take on the job of sorting out the extremely shoddy and poor installation of the Origin doors and windows fitted on my new build home, when it was built. And replacing the damaged gaskets. I had your guys with me for two days this week. What a breath of fresh air comparted to the people of originally installed my doors and windows. Extremely professional and lovely chaps. They worked tirelessly to sort out the many issues we had. Would absolutely recommend 100% THANK YOU !Response from the ownerGood Morning Paul, Thank you for taking the time to share your positive experience with us. We are absolutely delighted to receive it and are pleased we were able to resolve the issues for you. It’s been a pleasure working with you. If you have any further need in the future, please do not hesitate to contact us. Lisa S.Lisa S. ★★★★★ Very helpful and good communication, great product. Thank you.Dave S.Dave S. ★★★★★ Very happy with doors. Look great. The installation was quick and straightforward.Will recommendRH K.RH K. ★★★★★ FGC were brilliant. Great advice on the best windows to get. Extremely good installation. Always ready to solve any installation or manufacturing issues. We are extremely happy with the end result!Joy W.Joy W. ★★★★★ Frameless windows were brilliant, Liam Alfie and James were great, polite, courteous, and left the site clean and tidy. The windows look amazing, Great service from start to finish. Many ThanksRayRay ★★★★★ We love these doors and look forward to having them open a bit more once the patio has ben completed. They really have a "wow" factor and this becomes a double "wow" when people are shown how the corner can be completely opened up. It was about a year from my first enquiry to the doors being installed as there was a considerable amount of building work required to prepare the room. throughout this period I remained in touch with FGC and the service was exceptional. The installation team was on site for a day, starting early and working through to completion before driving back to Kent!! We have been really pleased with the standard of workmanship and even had compliments from other tradesmen working on the room (most of whom had never seen doors like this). These are expensive doors but the price difference from a normal set of bi-folds was well worth it for the uninterrupted view you get. The doors were installed in February but I have held off doing the review until the room was more finished so I could post a more representative picture. Once the patio is done the look will be even better than we originally envisaged. I have attached a few pictures of the room (the white table is only a temporary measure while we wait for the new coffee table).Sharon B.Sharon B. ★★★★★ From first contact to installation, my interactions with FGC have been easy, fast and professional. The end product is superb, we are so happy with our new doors - wish we had done this years ago. Well done FGC!!Jayne N.Jayne N. ★★★★★ This is the second time we have installed FGC and we are very happy with our second installation- very sleek and stylish and all staff very helpful, thanksD JD J ★★★★★ Frameless Glass Curtains have few competitors so they could take a lax approach to their work. However, that is not the case. We have had a porch installed in a space that was not square or aligned. The service from survey to finish has been above standard. Barry’s attention to detail and determination that the work would not be complete until his high standards were met was much appreciated. The communication from the admin side was clear and helpful. So all in all we will be using Frameless Glass again and have no hesitation in recommending them.Brian S.Brian S. ★★★★★ Brilliant product, what a difference, no frames to block our view of the Brecon Beacons. The service has been the best I think I have ever received and the fitting team were faultless - they travelled 5 hours to get to us in Wales, arriving 30 minutes early, working flat out without a break for 9 hours before driving 5 hours back, all without one complaint!!Catherine U.Catherine U. ★★★★★ Ordered Crittal-style French doors in aluminium. The doors look fantastic and are so much better than the ancient sliding doors I had before. The company were very friendly and easy to deal with. They were understanding of my delays due to a flood. The installers were professional and polite and poor things had to work on the hottest day of the year. Would definitely recommend FGC.Laura G.Laura G. ★★★★★ Really great service from this family run company. We love the doors and the install was top notch. Thanks!Info Oad S.Info Oad S. ★★★★★ Great service and amazing finish! Would highly recommend!paul R.paul R. ★★★★★ Highly competent office and site staff, great product and at a fair price. Couldn't be happier with the entire experience and end result.vanessa C.vanessa C. ★★★★★ From the beginning to the end, everyone at FGC have been amazing. I knew straight away that the glazing FGC would provide and install would be spectacular and how right that was! The FGC glazing allows our Edwardian stained glass door to still be a main feature and in fact it shows it off perfectly. We are so happy with the end result and can’t praise FGC highly enough, somehow 5 stars doesn’t seem to be high enough.ZorèZorè ★★★★★ Their windows are second to none. No other company in Germany, UK or anywhere else can produce such a fabulous product.Any issues that has come up, they always come & fix it. The staff are so nice and polite. For a small company they do really a great job over all. The main things are the frameless bifolds that you hardly have any frame in the line of vision and there is a 5 years guarantee. Mr & Mrs JahediFiona G.Fiona G. ★★★★★ Delighted with our new frameless glass doors. Had lots of lovely comments, even all the trades who have been working on our house have said they've not seen anything like them. Great having something a little unusual. The quality of the doors is of a very high standard. The service from FGC has been very good too, from ordering through to installation. All went very smoothly with no problems. Paid a bit more than regular bifolds, but worth every penny. Best decision, no regrets at all.Andrew H.Andrew H. ★★★★★ Great service and very welcoming for my father and I. Adrian in particular was very efficient, gave great pertinent advice and guidance on my future purchase!Des P.Des P. ★★★★★ Excellent in all aspects from initial viewing in showroom to actual installation.TonyTony ★★★★★ Excellent service and product from FGC.I have a glass-box conservatory, built with structural glass about 20 years ago. The 2 sliding doors needed replacing, along with 2 side panels, and I contacted dozens of companies selling conservatory doors and none of them were prepared to install their doors because of the perceived risks of working with structural glass.Then I found FGC who, with no fuss at all, carried out a survey, provided a very reasonable quote for the doors/panels and then installed the doors/panels on the agreed date.Communication with the FGC office was always quick and easy. The surveyor and installation team were efficient and courteous. The product works beautifully.We can now use our conservatory again. Thanks FGC.Arun S.Arun S. ★★★★★ Great company with excellent, friendly and responsive service, the guys were helpful and efficient with the installation and the slide and turn doors are a fantastic product.Matt G.Matt G. ★★★★★ Fantastic service from start to finish, from the surveying, contact with office to the workmen. I have experience through work of a number of companies providing similar products and these guys have been by far the best to deal withDavid W H.David W H. ★★★★★ FGC installed a two-panel frameless glass door at our property yesterday. Wow!! the installation is exactly as discussed, and was carried out by two of FGC's team members who were so professional and courteous. They were excellent, and we have no hesitation in recommending FGC and their team to anyone considering such an installation.We are delighted with the installation, and very pleased we chose FGC.Well done FGC!!Border S.Border S. ★★★★★ The quality of the windows / doors are second to none.The customer service was first class from placing the order to installation we were kept informed at every step.The installation team led by Richard left our house and patio cleaner than when they arrivedI would recommend FGC 100%Tony- BurnleyStephen H.Stephen H. ★★★★★ From start to finish everything was excellent.Fab u lasThank youStephen O.Stephen O. ★★★★★ BRILLIANT SERVICE FROM START TO FINISHHighly recommended.Nathan P.Nathan P. ★★★★★ We purchased a beautiful Origin sliding door and side window from FGC. FGC installed the sliding door and window on time, however the sliding door did not fit correctly. Issues can happen. FGC made the process of re-surveying and re-installation very simple. FGC is a very pleasant and professional company to deal with. We are very happy with their service and would strongly recommend them.Darius C.Darius C. ★★★★★ I love my doors! It’s transformed my place. The people are great, no nonsense, organised and efficient. I’d recommend them to anyoneAdrian W.Adrian W. ★★★★★ Excellent planning and product advice. All the staff were polite courteous and friendly.On the day of the installation, the team arrived bang on time -we live in Wales so a long drive from Kent! They had the job done by lunchtime (fitting a sliding patio door) and I have to say that on first impression of the unit, it looks and feels like solid quality.Ian J.Ian J. ★★★★★ We had a 5m stretch of these wonderful doors installed several years ago and have been very happy with the uninterrupted view of the garden that they allow from the living room. They are admired by every tradesman who sees them. A minor problem we experienced with water ingress last year was promptly and effectively resolved, and the doors were serviced for free at the same time.Response from the ownerHello Ian, thank you very much for leaving us a review and glad you're happy with your doors and our service. Elly BElly B ★★★★★ Great staff and great products! Have visited the showroom to view doors, really loved all of them! Have referred to a friend - Can't recommend enoughAdam F.Adam F. ★★★★★ Really great doors. Really are something different. Expensive, but you really pay for what you get here.js_loader

What our customers say

We struggled to find a supplier to fit a glass balcony. Frameless Glass however were great – they gave us a clear and competitive quote, turned up when they said they would, and just got on and did the job! Friendly guys, and we love the end result which looks good from the outside, and gives us a lovely uninterrupted view of our garden

marcus appleton
Marcus

Hi, I would like to say that your work crew were really nice people and did a great job

We had our doors fitted in 2015 and have been very pleased with them. As with most things there are times when an adjustment is required to the doors or in our case a door needing to be replaced as it had developed a problem with condensation. The company has been very good at resolving these matters in an efficient and timely manner. We highly recommend the product which has made a big difference to

Sunil Parekh
S Parekh

I am quite happy to recommend your company to any prospective clients. You have my contact details and you can pass them on if you wish. We are also happy to be on your list of completed installations.   The installation team were very good clean, tidy and polite.   It all started with our visit to you and  we are very impressed with your company.  

We recently bought our house with Frameless glass curtains installed and they certainly give a wow factor to our London Victorian cottage – admired by all our visitors – the aftercare service and warranty has been excellent . Many

Jayne Banks
JAYNE
Just wanted to say a big thank you for coming up to Manchester from Kent to service our doors. My wife and I appreciated the service and continue to be really pleased with them. Lots of friends comment on how lovely they look and the window cleaner took your card this week, he is thinking of calling you! I would happily recommend you to anyone considering having frameless glass curtains. If there is anyone in

As to how we were from initial contact (were we polite)? Staff were polite and prompt in answering telephone questions. There were technical problems with our installation and staff were open and discussed options and were polite. The fitters were surprised at the distance they had to travel to reach us each time, although we had explained where we lived prior to proceeding with the installation to check whether the company would be happy to

In short, the product offered by Frameless Glass Curtains is nothing short of excellent. These frameless glass doors are a truly unique system that are really aesthetically pleasing and unlike any other product we could find on the market. The doors are very sleek and elegant and create real impact and wow factor. Our experience with FGC, has been, from start to finish, incredibly professional. We have a small garden which is designed to feel

We are absolutely delighted with our frameless glass doors. They have transformed our living area in terms of light and space, giving a contemporary feel. The whole process has been very efficient and the fitters who came to install the doors were excellent. I would definitely

Angie Barker
Angie
Just a note to let you know how delighted we are with the sliding folding glazed panels installed by your firm at the rear of our house. Friends come into our kitchen now and are just amazed at how the same space has been transformed and opened up, simply by the addition of your glazed panels, providing a panoramic view looking out onto the garden. During warm summer days it was (and still is) such

We moved last year and wanted to maximise the view right through from the rear to the front of the building, overlooking the river. After much searching we found FGC, who installed internal glass doors between the rooms. FGC were very efficient and although we are in the North they sorted out a subsequent small problem promptly. FGC are not cheap but they had what we wanted and we’re delighted with

Simon Ely
Simon
A heartfelt thank you from us. We knew we wanted something a bit special to set off our extension, which has been absolutely essential in making our new home work for the family. We scoured the internet for something that would allow an uninterupted view of the planned garden but would also allow us to throw back the glass in the summer to bring the garden into the house. As soon as I visited the

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Published on January 2, 2021

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