Origin OS-29 sliding door review

Launched in April 2021, the Origin OS-29 sliding door is an even slimmer model in the Origin range of sliding doors. This review gives more information about this modification to their existing OS-44 and OS-77 product.

OS-29 isn’t a brand new sliding door. Instead this slimmer mullion option provides a solution for those put off by the price and complexity of structurally bonded doors, typically with a 20-24mm mullion.

Information about the new Origin OS-29 sliding door

Joining the existing range of inline sliding doors OS-44 and OS-77, the Origin OS-29 sliding door uses the same design and technology. The only significant difference is the reduction in the middle mullion on patio doors with a two or three panel configuration. All other frame details and dimensions remain the same.

The door comes with an inline sliding operation, thermally insulated profiles a standard track arrangement and available double or triple glazed.

Suitable for new build or replacement sliding door installations, OS-29 comes as two, three or four panel sliding doors with a double or triple track arrangement.

Anyone familiar with the existing range is getting the same door.

By far, the introduction of the OS-29 gives Origin an important product within their range. Not only does it complement their OS-20 Artisan model-based using Cortizo, it also creates a number of solutions for end-user customers and the trade.

• A solution for those wanting the Origin brand in a more slimline style
• A sliding door without the cost and complexity of structurally bonded versions
• A product where guarantee and overall product reputation matter
• Those liking the existing product proposition but wanting thinner mullions

“One of the slimmest sliding door systems in the UK”.

The Origin website mentions this door being one of the slimmest sliding door systems in the UK.

Context is everything with claims about sightlines. It is in no way one of the slimmest in the context of overall sightlines. Many brands are slimmer both in terms of mullion sightlines, overall frame depth, head, track and side jamb face dimensions.

Most if not all of the marketing messages around slimness relate to the door mullions. As a semi-dry glazed system, the OS-29 is certainly amonst the slimmer mullion doors, at 29mm. However, also using the same bonding method at the mullion, there are slimmer doors. Here are just three:

• Sunflex SVG20 with a 20mm mullion
• Edge 2.0 by ID Systems also with a 20mm mullion
• Vision sliding doors provided by YES Glazing Solutions with a 24mm mullion.

The reality is we are talking millimetres difference. Moreover, the marketing messages around sliding door sightlines are beginning to confuse buyers and in our view bordering on misleading them too, implying they’re buying an ‘all-round slim’ door. They’re not.

For those specifically interested in the mullion sightlines of patio doors, you can see who makes the slimmest sliding doors in the UK whether dry glazed, bonded or semi-dry glazed.

Why slim doors aren’t always slim

Virtually every sliding door on the market has a thicker surround frame, head and track than the thin mullions. Homeowners often contact the website expressing disappointment at getting doors expecting the same sightlines all around. Unless a door is to be fixed within the structure hiding the surrounding frame, this is not possible. It’s not even possible with truly frameless systems at the mullion such as FGC’s slide and turn door. This too has a thicker surround frame.

The thicker frame is also essential, housing lock bodies, rollers and other key components. Maxlight sliding doors do offer very slim frames at the sides, but also the inconvenience of having to bend or kneel down to floor level to lock/unlock their doors. Great doors, but not the most practical for everyone.

Understanding dry glazed versus semi-dry glazed sliding doors.

Generally speaking most conventional sliding doors come with the dry-glazed design. These doors are manufactured as frames without the glass. Glazing the doors happens on site after first installing the doors.

Structurally bonded slimline doors differ. These rely on the glass for its strength and integrity. All slimline sliding doors with a sub-30mm mullion usually come with this bonded design. They’re manufactured around the glass units. As a result, they’re more expensive, are harder to handle and installation is more complex.

Semi-dry glazed doors is a combination. The thicker surround frames are strong enough but the slimline middle mullion isn’t. Therefore, only this middle mullion is bonded to the glass.

Therefore, like the Sunflex product, the new Origin OB-29 sliding door comes with a partially bonded design. It’s necessary because thin profile sliding doors need this additional design feature for strength at the mullion as well as protecting against wind deflection. Weather sealing and overall security also play a part.

What does this mean for the end user customer? In short, not much other than the price, functional and aesthetic differences between all the many sliding door brands.

Our advice is always to consider the thicker profile doors. There are some truly phenomenal products on the market with engineering, design, look and feel. We’ve the benefit of seeing thicker framed doors installed in homes and the look is spectacular – don’t obsess over mullion sightlines. They don’t matter that much.

Consider doors by Schuco, Reynaers, aïr, Dutemann Glide-S, Visoglide and Visoglide Plus as just some excellent examples of the thicker profile doors.

Features of the Origin OB-29 sliding patio door

As mentioned, the slimmer sliding door offering by Origin has the same features as their existing doors. Some close up images of the handles and hardware you’ll get on the OS-29. We’ve not seen the actual product yet, but these are from the OS-44/77 models using the same.

This new slider by is essentially an existing OS44 and OS-77 inline sliding door with a slimline mullion. Handles, colours, configurations are broadly exactly the same.

Of course, you get the exemplary Origin quality, guarantee and excellent lead times. The other advantage with any Origin product is it’s nationwide availability compared with other products not always available everywhere.

The one advantage of dry glazed or semi-dry glazed doors on the market is also coming with a lift and slide operation. Unfortunately, this is not a feature Origin has yet to incorporate into their doors.

For overall door sizes, Origin’s sliding doors generally meet the needs of most door openings. They don’t go as wide or as tall as other brands on the market, typically restricted to around 2.6m high. Comparable doors go up to 3m wide or tall on a single door panel.

For those looking to get the most out of their sliding door with the minimum amount of panels, check out the brilliant sliding door made by Dutemann, the Glide-S. Dutemann doors go up to 6.7m wide in just two panels.

Other sliding doors to consider alongside the OS-29.

The Origin OS-29 sliding door, if focused only on this mullion sightline now sits with the following brands worth comparing alongside it. Here we are talking about a few millimetres differences at the mullion.

And again bear in mind the availability of a lift and slide solution, Origin doesn’t provide. As well as this Origin doors only go up to 2.6m high.

• Visoglide sliding door, 35mm mullion
• Aluk BSC 94, 45m mullion
• Schuco ASS70 PD, 30mm mullion
• Sunflex sliding doors, 20mm and 30mm respectively
• YES-Glazing Vision doors 24mm
  

Summary and Conclusion.

Pricing affects the choice of many sliding doors on the market. This is especially true with the 20mm and ultra-slim models. Homeowners are frequently surprised and put off at the high cost of slim and bonded sliders. However, as explained, making, delivering and fitting these is more expensive.

Where Origin’s new door will work well is providing the slimmer mullion without the complexity or cost of the full structurally bonded systems. Anyone having mullion sightlines at the top of their list when buying new sliding doors, with a more mid-range budget, can consider this product.

Origin, therefore, joins the other manufacturers and systems now marketing the slim lines of their doors but specifically at the mullion.

Don’t disregard the thicker profile dry-glazed sliding doors. Functionally they provide the same, if not more. Mullion sightlines really don’t matter as much as they’re marketed. On smaller patio doors aesthetics and mullion profile sizes may matter. On larger sliding doors this 10-20mm difference between slimline and standard sliders (not to mention a significant difference in price) make very little difference on larger openings. And remember the low/flush track is available with these too.

More information about the Origin OS-29 sliding door

The best way to understand all these different doors is to go see them. Or use our contact form to get in touch and we’ll put you in touch with suitable suppliers and help with choosing sliding doors.

As with all Origin products, lead times, service, manufacturing quality and reputation are first class. Four reasons alone why these doors will enhance an property renovation project.

The post Origin OS-29 sliding door review appeared first on Aluminium Trade Supply.