A sliding door for cold climates

New minimalist system provides optimum thermal performance

Cortizo, international leader in aluminum and plastic systems for architecture, presents the 4600 Plus Lift & Slide system, designed to close large openings while providing excellent thermal insulation. With a Uw-value of 0.65 W/m²K, this system is among the sliding doors with the best thermal performance on the market.

The sashes with a depth of 80 mm feature a thermal break of 42 mm and have space for glazing up to 65 mm, making the system ideal for colder climates, such as Belgium and the Netherlands, for example. To further improve insulation, special foams are incorporated into both the sash and the frame, as well as sliding polyamides that prevent the bimetallic effect. This effect occurs during large temperature differences between inside and outside, which could lead to slight deformation of the profiles and thus affect the functioning of the sliding system.

Minimalist trend

Cortizo's new series follows the current minimalist trend with sightlines of only 120 mm all around, reducing the dimensions of its predecessor - the 4600 HI Lift & Slide system - by 20 mm. The goal is to increase the glass area to let more natural light into rooms. Therefore, it is designed with a center section of only 50 mm.

The system allows configurations of up to eight sashes, each 3.3 meters long and wide, in a four-rail version, allowing openings of more than 26 meters to be closed. A 90º corner opening option without a center post is also available.

Handle

To make sliding the sashes easier, the 4600 Plus Lift & Slide features a hardware mechanism that slightly lifts the sashes when the handle is operated, allowing sashes weighing up to 400 kilograms to move smoothly. Two types of handles are available for opening and closing: the traditional Stylish - characterized by elegant and simple lines - and the Slim Minimalist, a slimmer version without a shield for a sleeker look.

To improve ease of use for persons with limited mobility, the system offers the option of installing a threshold of only 20 mm. Solutions for concealed rails and a drain grate for water drainage in exposed areas are also available.

Growth in Belgium and the Netherlands

Founded in 1972 as a small carpentry factory, Cortizo started its own aluminum foundry and a number of plants for extrusion, powder coating and anodizing in the 1980s. Starting in the 1990s, the company also began to focus increasingly on the design and development of aluminum and plastic frame systems for international markets. Meanwhile, annual production capacity consists of some 150,000 tons of aluminum and 50,000 tons of PVC. This has made Cortizo an international name in aluminum and plastic systems for architecture. The Spanish multinational operates in 86 countries, with a clearly growing market in Belgium and the Netherlands in recent years. Thus, since mid-2024, interested frame manufacturers can also visit Cortizo's new showroom in Kampenhout, close to Brussels.