Create Your Dream Opening with Heritage Aluminium French Doors and Side Panel

The Complete Solution for Discerning Homeowners

Standard door configurations shouldn't limit your home's connection to the outdoors. When you need a bespoke opening that perfectly fits your space while maximising natural light, our heritage aluminium French doors with customizable side panels offer the flexibility and elegance your property deserves.

Tailored Heritage Design for Every Space

This isn't just another door system—it's an entirely adaptable heritage aluminium French door configuration that captures authentic early 20th-century style while accommodating your specific architectural requirements. The signature stepped profile and period-correct detailing extend seamlessly across both the French doors and side panel, creating a unified aesthetic that enhances your home's character.

Perfect for wider openings where you want to flood interiors with daylight while maintaining a vital connection to the garden, this system transforms kitchens, living areas, and dining spaces into light-filled environments that flow seamlessly with your outdoor space.

Bespoke Side Panel - Made to Your Exact Requirements

What makes this system truly special is the made-to-measure side panel, which can be tailored from a minimum width of 300mm to a maximum of 600mm. This precision customisation ensures your opening fits perfectly, whether you're working with an existing aperture or creating a new one during renovation.

The side panel maintains the same ultra-slim heritage aesthetics as the French doors, with matching sightlines that create visual continuity while maximising the glazed area for superior light transmission.

Ultra Slim Heritage Aesthetics Across the Entire Opening

Our heritage aluminium French doors with side panel feature consistent, ultra-slim heritage aesthetics throughout. The refined sightlines (60.5mm to 73mm) create an elegant, continuous frame that minimises visual interruption while maintaining authentic period character across the entire installation.

Performance That Delivers Year-Round

Your investment must work efficiently for decades to come. This heritage aluminium French door and side panel system delivers outstanding thermal performance with a 1.4 U-value across all components. Advanced Thermlock technology, integrated throughout the frame system, ensures consistent insulation. Meanwhile, premium double glazing maintains comfort and controls energy costs throughout every season.

Complete System Specifications:

French Doors:

• Maximum opening: 2.2m high x 2.4m wide per pair
• Standard sizes: 2.1m high x 1200, 1400, 1600, or 1800mm wide
• Made to measure: up to 2.2m high, 2.7m wide

Side Panel:

• Custom width: 300mm to 600mm (made to measure)
• Height: matches French door configuration
• Fixed glazing for maximum light transmission

Installation Options:

• Internal or external positioning
• Double-glazed throughout for optimal performance
• Complete colour coordination available
• Matching heritage-style hardware

Cill Configurations:

• Four standard sizes: 90mm, 150mm, 180mm, 230mm
• Zero threshold option for seamless transition
• Wheelchair-accessible ramp version available

Enhanced Security Across the System

Choose our Secured by Design upgrade for comprehensive police-backed security certification. This accreditation applies to the complete system, ensuring both your French doors and side panel meet rigorous security standards designed to protect your home through intelligent design principles.

Your Perfect Garden Connection

Whether you're renovating a period property or enhancing a contemporary home, heritage aluminium French doors with bespoke side panels provide the ideal solution for homeowners seeking a tailored garden connection. The combination of authentic styling, customizable dimensions, and superior light transmission creates the perfect indoor-outdoor living experience without compromising on security or thermal efficiency.

Transform your space with a system designed specifically for your home's unique needs.

Heritage Aluminium French Doors with Side Panel - Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of adding a side panel to French doors?

A side panel creates a wider opening that floods your interior with significantly more natural light while maintaining the authentic heritage aesthetic. It's perfect for larger apertures where standard French doors alone wouldn't fill the space effectively, providing better proportions and enhanced garden views.

What size options are available for the side panel?

The side panel is entirely made to measure, with a minimum width of 300 mm and a maximum width of 600 mm. This flexibility ensures a perfect fit whether you're working with existing openings or creating new ones during renovation projects.

Can the side panel be installed on either side of the French doors?

Yes, the side panel can be positioned on either the left or right side of the French doors, depending on your space requirements and preferred configuration. This adaptability enables optimal placement based on your room layout and garden access requirements.

Does the side panel match the heritage styling of the French doors?

Absolutely. The side panel features identical stepped profiles, art deco detailing, and ultra-slim heritage aesthetics as the French doors. This creates visual continuity across the entire opening while maintaining the authentic character of the early 20th century.

Is the side panel fixed or can it open?

The side panel is typically fixed glazing designed to maximise light transmission. This configuration provides structural stability, enhanced security, and optimal thermal performance while focusing the operational functionality on the French door section.

How does adding a side panel affect thermal performance?

The complete system maintains the same excellent 1.4 U-value across both French doors and the side panel. Thermlock® technology extends throughout the frame system, ensuring consistent thermal efficiency across the entire opening.

What glazing options are available for the side panel?

The side panel features the same high-performance double glazing as the French doors, ensuring a consistent appearance and thermal properties. This maintains visual harmony while delivering optimal energy efficiency across the complete installation.

Can I choose different colours for the French doors and side panel?

While possible, we recommend matching colours across the entire system to maintain design integrity. Our comprehensive colour matching service ensures perfect coordination between French doors and side panels for a unified heritage aesthetic.

How are the French doors and side panel connected structurally?

The system uses precision-engineered connecting mullions that maintain the ultra-slim heritage aesthetics while providing robust structural integrity. The connection is designed to be virtually invisible, creating the appearance of a single, continuous frame.

What cill options work with the side panel configuration?

All four standard cill sizes (90mm, 150mm, 180mm, and 230mm) are available, along with zero threshold and wheelchair-accessible ramp options. The cill extends seamlessly across both French doors and the side panel for a unified appearance.

Is this configuration suitable for period properties?

Ideal for heritage buildings that require wider openings. The authentic stepped profile and period detailing extend across the complete system, ensuring sympathetic integration with historic architecture while meeting modern performance standards.

How does security work across the French doors and side panel?

The optional Secured by Design upgrade covers the entire system. While the French doors provide the main security features through multi-point locking, the fixed side panel contributes to overall system security through robust glazing and frame construction.

Can this system be customised to accommodate unusual opening sizes?

Yes, the complete system can be tailored to fit specific requirements. The French doors can be made to measure (up to 2.2m high, 2.1m wide) while the side panel adjusts from 300-600mm wide to create the perfect fit for your opening.

What's the maximum total width for the complete system?

The maximum configuration would be French doors at 2.1m wide plus a 600mm side panel, creating a total width of 2.7m. This substantial opening offers exceptional light transmission and provides opportunities for a garden connection.

How does installation work for this configuration?

Professional installation treats the French doors and side panel as a unified system. Precise measurement and coordination ensure perfect alignment and weather sealing across the complete opening while maintaining the heritage aesthetic throughout.

Are there any planning considerations for this wider opening?

Larger openings may require approval under the Building Regulations, particularly for structural alterations. We recommend consulting with your architect or builder about any structural support requirements before installation.

Can I retrofit a side panel to existing French doors?

While it's possible in some circumstances, it's generally more effective to install the complete system as a unified configuration. This ensures perfect alignment, consistent styling, and optimal performance across the entire opening.

How does this system enhance property value?

The combination of heritage authenticity, customised sizing, and enhanced light transmission appeals strongly to potential buyers. You're creating a bespoke feature that demonstrates attention to quality while providing practical benefits that modern homeowners appreciate.

What maintenance does the complete system require?

The aluminium construction requires minimal maintenance across both French doors and the side panel. Occasional cleaning and lubrication of the French door's moving parts maintain optimal performance, while the fixed side panel requires only periodic cleaning.