Lots of expertise and a comprehensive sliding door program. For every access situation there is an automatic sliding door

Without thinking about it, we all walk through openings closed by automatic sliding doors on an almost daily basis. That sliding door is only noticed when it does not function as it should, for example by opening too late, or closing too early. The power of a good sliding door is therefore not only in the sliding itself, but also in the adjustment of the door and the associated sensor technology. An absolute specialist in this field is dormakaba, which with its sliding door program literally and figuratively has a conclusive answer to every issue regarding the automatic opening and closing of sliding and folding doors. We speak with Bas Wouters, Product Marketing Manager for automatic entrance solutions at dormakaba.

From straight to curved design

When asked what types of sliding doors dormakaba supplies, Wouters replies, "Got a minute? We supply straight and curved versions, with single or double door wings, with or without sidelights or fanlights, burglar-resistant or, whether desired or not, with breakout function. Requirements for functionality and the on-site situation ultimately determine the choice of a specific sliding door system."

"If there is a limited passage width, for example, telescopic sliding doors or automatic folding doors offer a solution. With telescopic doors, door leaves slide behind each other, with folding doors they slide to the side like a harmonica. Both solutions offer additional passage width compared to a "standard" sliding door. A breakout function ensures that in the event of an emergency, door wings and any side screens can be pushed out with one movement. This makes these doors extremely suitable for escape routes."

Burglar resistance and insulation

Burglary resistance has also been considered, of course, notes Wouters. "For example, it can be supplied in resistance class RC2. This door is SKG certified and includes burglar-resistant glass, door wings that cannot be lifted out and a unique, fully automatic 4-point hook lock." 

For optimal insulation value, doors with thermally separated profiles are also available. "In addition to optimal thermal bridge interruption, these profiles offer additional possibilities for applying glass with an even higher insulation value. In short: when burglar resistance and insulation values are prescribed, dormakaba can fully respond to them.
By the way, all the different types of door sashes can also be fitted with a customer-supplied glass type."

All dormakaba sliding doors are driven by a dormakaba sliding door operator. "We apply this universally to sliding doors, for folding doors we use a different automatic," explains Wouters. "All our sliding doors comply with European standard EN16005 and are therefore safe to use. Standard safety sensors in the passage ensure that the sliding door does not close when a person is in the doorway. Additional sensors protect the extension area of the door wings; if someone is in that area, the door opens at very low speed or stops the opening movement immediately."

Ideal for the facade builder

dormakaba sliding door operators can also be combined with third-party door leaves. This allows a facade builder to use his own profile as an automatic entrance door as well. Wouters: "That ensures a uniform appearance of the façade. Being able to apply one's own profiles with one's own glass filling contributes to the uniformity of the whole. So our systems integrate 100% into the facade appearance." 

Not only does the user experience comfort, the installer is also unburdened. "We think along with the installation and we are flexible. The work does not have to be more than assembling the automaton, hanging in the wings and putting everything into operation." 

The standard series of automatic sliding doors is marketed under the name ST FLEX, indicating the product's high degree of flexibility. "Doors with thermally separated profiles come under the name ST FLEX Green. Under the name
ST FLEX Secure we supply the sliding doors in resistance class RC2 design," Wouters concludes.