Aluminium sliding doors fabricated in Durban and installed across Westville, Cowies Hill and Reservoir Hills. Ridge-capable weather sealing, estate-compatible finishes and safety glazing specified to SANS 10400-N. Free site measure before any quote.
SLIDING
Westville sits between the coastal belt and the inland ridge line. That means properties here tend to deal with more wind-driven rain and stronger gusts than the beachfront suburbs — especially on the higher streets of Cowies Hill, Padfield Park and Sarnia. Many Westville homes are also older, with non-standard opening sizes that need custom fabrication rather than a stock size. Frame profile, hardware, finish and glass are not generic — they depend on the specific opening. Our process starts with a site measure, then a written specification. Fabrication happens in our Durban facility; installation is handled on site by our own teams.
Two common approaches to sliding doors, and how the choice depends on the opening rather than preference.
| Parameter | Standard Residential System | Multi-Track System |
|---|---|---|
| Track arrangement | Typically two-track | Two or three independent tracks |
| Panels that can stack to one side | Limited — usually one or two sliding panels | Up to four or more, depending on opening |
| Typical opening span | Often up to around 3.0m | Wider openings where a larger clear passage is wanted |
| Frame profile | Standard residential profile | Heavier profile, engineered for larger glass areas |
| Glass specification | Toughened or laminated safety glass | Laminated and/or thicker glass often specified |
| Weather sealing | Standard double-draft seals | Heavier seals; ridge-rated upgrades available |
| Typical application | Single patio door, standard living rooms | Wide entertainment openings, larger glass areas |
| Considerations | Straightforward fit in standard openings | Opening size, wind exposure and structural support matter more |
Which system is appropriate is determined during the site measure. The table above outlines common differences — not a universal specification for every job. Frame depth, glass thickness, hardware material and finish are confirmed per opening.
Sliding doors are built in fixed panel arrangements. The layout that suits your opening depends on how wide it is and where you want the clear passage.
One fixed panel, one sliding panel. Common for narrower patio openings where a single clear passage is needed.
Both panels slide — one in each direction. Useful when the clear opening should sit centrally in the aperture.
One fixed panel, two sliding panels. A middle option for medium-width openings where more glass area is wanted.
Two fixed outer panels, two central sliders. Often used for wider patios where a generous central opening is wanted.
The configuration is confirmed during the site measure. Not every layout suits every opening — frame size, glass weight and structural support all affect what is practical.
Two considerations that matter more in Westville than in the coastal belt.
This is the section of the National Building Regulations that governs glazing safety. Safety glazing is required in defined areas — including doors, sidelights and glazing within 500mm of the floor. The glass type and thickness depend on the pane size and its location. We specify glazing to meet these requirements for the actual opening.
Westville, Cowies Hill, Padfield Park and Sarnia sit at higher elevations than the coastal belt. That means more exposure to wind-driven rain and stronger wind loads than the beachfront suburbs. Heavier frame profiles, thicker laminated glass and heavier perimeter seals are common on ridge properties facing the prevailing weather.
Correct installation affects performance as much as the product itself. Setting blocks, drainage, expansion gaps and weather sealing all matter — especially on ridge properties where wind-driven rain is common. Our installers work to standard industry practice for aluminium door installation in residential settings, with the specification confirmed in the written quote.
What is included in a Bluminium sliding door order, and what is specified per project.
Options such as heavier ridge-rated seals, thicker laminated glass, double glazing or upgraded hardware are specified per project — they are not included in every job by default. The quote lists what is included for your specific opening.
The same process whether it is one door or a larger opening.
We visit the property, measure the opening and note floor levels, lintel condition, exposure and access. This determines what can be fitted.
An itemised quote covering the system, glass, finish and installation. Ridge-rated seal and glass options are listed so you can see what is included.
Frames are cut, welded, glazed and finished in our Durban facility. This keeps fabrication quality-controlled and consistent — not outsourced to a third party.
Our teams install, align and seal the door on site. Most standard residential installations are completed in a single day, with weather sealing confirmed before handover.
We fabricate in Durban and install across Westville and the surrounding communities. Below is what we commonly encounter in each area.
Westville is not a single property type. A ridge property in Cowies Hill has different requirements from an older home in Reservoir Hills or a modern patio conversion in New Germany. The notes below describe common patterns — they are not assumptions about every property. The site measure confirms what is actually needed.
Mix of larger family homes with expansive patio openings and newer builds. Multi-track systems and larger glass panels are common. Retrofit measurement matters where older apertures have been altered by previous renovations.
Elevated residential zones with more exposure to wind-driven rain than the coastal belt. Weather sealing, drainage, thicker glass and heavier hardware are more likely to be specified here. Sea salt is less of a factor than on the coast, but wind pressure on wide openings is the dominant concern.
Established residential areas with a significant proportion of older homes. Non-standard opening sizes are common, and some properties still have original timber or steel frames that need to be removed and made good. Custom sizing is typically required.
Transitional zone between residential and light-industrial properties. Security hardware and long-term durability are common priorities. Standard and multi-track systems are both specified depending on the opening.
Questions that come up when specifying a sliding door for a ridge, retrofit or family home.
Most Westville homes are specified with either a standard two-track residential slider or a multi-track system, depending on the opening width and the amount of clear glass area wanted. Standard sliders suit single patio openings — commonly up to around 3.0m wide with panels up to around 2.4m. Multi-track systems use two or three independent tracks in a heavier frame profile and are usually specified where a wider clear opening or a larger glass area is wanted. Which system is appropriate is confirmed during the site measure.
Westville and the neighbouring ridge suburbs — Cowies Hill, Padfield Park, Sarnia — sit at higher elevations than the coastal belt. That means more exposure to wind-driven rain and stronger wind loads. Weather sealing, drainage weeps, glass thickness and hardware selection are adjusted to suit the exposure of the actual opening. For ridge properties facing the prevailing weather, heavier frame profiles and thicker laminated glass are often specified.
In many cases, yes — provided the structural lintel and side walls can carry the load. Older Westville homes often have non-standard opening sizes, and some still have timber or steel frames that need to be removed and the opening made good before an aluminium slider can be fitted. The site measure identifies what is feasible without structural masonry damage.
Safety glazing is a legal requirement in defined areas under SANS 10400 Part N — including doors, sidelights and glazing within 500mm of the floor. Toughened safety glass is commonly specified for sliding door panels. Laminated safety glass is often chosen where an extra security layer or improved acoustic performance is useful. Double glazing can be specified where thermal insulation or condensation control matters. The right specification depends on the location of the door, the size of the glass panes and the exposure of the opening.
A standard residential sliding door typically uses a two-track frame and suits single patio openings — commonly up to about 3.0m wide with panels up to around 2.4m. A multi-track system uses two or three independent tracks in a heavier frame profile, allowing more panels to stack to one side. Multi-track is usually specified where a wider opening or a larger clear glass area is wanted — for example, on wide patio openings facing a view. Which system is appropriate depends on the opening size, wind exposure and glass specification.
After the site measure and written quote, fabrication typically takes 2–4 weeks depending on the system and finish. A standard residential sliding door is often installed in a single day. Larger multi-track systems or jobs that require building work may take longer. A firmer timeline is confirmed with the quote.
Aluminium sliding doors generally need little maintenance. Keeping the bottom track free of grit and debris helps the rollers run smoothly. A periodic wipe-down with a damp cloth and mild detergent keeps the frames clean. Rollers and tracks may benefit from a silicone-based lubricant occasionally. In Westville’s inland climate, salt-spray concerns are lower than on the coast, but tracks should still be cleaned regularly during the rainy season. The specific hardware fitted determines the exact maintenance routine.
Detailed guides on the technical decisions behind sliding door quotes.
Tell us roughly how wide the opening is, whether the property is on a ridge or in a valley, and whether the existing frame is timber, steel or aluminium. We will arrange a site measure, confirm what is feasible and provide a written quote. No obligation.
If a sliding door is not the right fit for the opening, one of these may be.
