Frame extender

[mkb.]

Frame extenders on sliding doors
Hello, never posted before so not sure how it works but I’m looking for some advice.
We’re looking to get the slide and stack external doors, we were hoping for a 3 leaf to create larger undisrupted glass however our opening is 200mm too wide.
Our options are get a 4 leaf which will have smaller sections of glass. Or add 100mm frame extenders to each side of the 3 leaf.
Does anyone have any advice of how big frame extenders can be before they look silly? I know they usually do 40-60mm so we’d be double the usual size. I feel like I’d rather get the 3 leaf and have more glass however my partner thinks the extenders will look too big.
Any advice?
Thanks

 

[crank39]

They'll look silly at 50mm never mind 100, you don't say whether upvc or aluminium, from personal experience as a service engineer I'd always recommend against upvc patio doors unless they're just standard inline bypass sliders or french doors, bifolds and slide and stack I'd recommend aluminium especially if your having coloured frames as long sections of upvc will bow with dark colours and heat

 

[mkb.]

Sorry I should’ve clarified, yep they’re aluminium. So in your opinion you’d get the extra leaf and have it a 4 section instead of the extenders?
Thank you

 

[crank39]

Yes I would most definately, do you know which aluminium system/the make is, not the installer because if they don't make an extender that big and I'll take a punt here and say its unlikely they do then that kinda makes your mind up for you

 

[mkb.]

Ok well that’s good to have some outside perspective, thank you
I think it’s the quick glide system. I was the one who suggested the extender which they weren’t keen on and said I’d need to put 2 together but kind of said it’s up to me if that’s what I want. I think I just had my heart set on that 3 leaf but if it can’t work that’s that.
Thank you for your help I really appreciate it

 

[crank39]

Urghhh 2 50mm extenders joined together with a seam line in the middle plus the thickness of the frame again another seam line, honestly it'll be too much, 4 panel is the way and the panels will be smaller and thus lighter to move

 

[mkb.]

Thank you, yeh I think we’ll steer clear of the extenders at that size. In my head I thought 100mm is nothing but actually it could be an eyesore. We are now however stuck comparing a 3 leaf bifold and the 4 leaf slide and stack… I don’t suppose anyone has any advice on the difference between those?