Double-glazed doors in Berwick & South East Melbourne.

Sliding doors — the workhorse.

Two-panel (one fixed, one sliding), three-panel (one fixed, two sliding, or stacker configuration), or four-panel. Standard track + heavy-duty stainless rollers. Modern thermally-broken frames seal vastly better than the original 80s mill-finish slider you're replacing — the air-leak alone makes a measurable difference.

Stacker variant: all panels slide and "stack" to one side, opening 2/3 or 3/4 of the total opening width. Best indoor-outdoor flow you can get from a sliding door. Typical 3.6m opening with 3-panel stacker: $5,500–$8,500.

French doors — period and traditional.

Hinged pairs, usually opening outward (less swing intrusion on the room). Classic look for federation, weatherboard and Edwardian homes — suits Old Berwick particularly well. Slightly less practical in strong westerly wind (the open leaf catches wind) but with proper magnetic catches it's a minor issue. Single or double-rebate frames available. Per pair installed: $4,000–$6,500.

Bifold doors — the indoor-outdoor wall.

Three to eight panels folding concertina-style to one or both sides — opens the entire opening. The wow factor for entertaining. We typically install 4 to 6-panel bifolds on alfresco-facing openings, 2.4m–3.0m high. Hardware spec matters more than glass — we use Centor or equivalent top-running track systems (no bottom track to catch dirt). Per opening installed: $4,500–$8,000 depending on panel count and size.

Pivot doors — modern architectural feature.

Single large pivot leaf, oversized (up to 1.2m wide × 2.6m tall), centre or offset pivot point. Statement entry or feature door. Premium hardware required — FritsJurgens or equivalent. $7,500–$12,000+ per door.

Threshold & sill detail.

A common amateur-installer failure on sliding-stacker doors is the threshold step. Modern thermally-broken frames have low-profile thresholds (10–20mm above floor finish) that are wheelchair / pram-friendly and look architectural — but the lower the threshold, the more critical the storm-water drainage design. We slope the external pavement / alfresco surface 1:80 minimum away from the door, and detail a hidden trough drain on exposed west-facing installations.

Pricing — installed.

• 2.1m × 2.1m two-panel sliding door, thermally-broken alu + argon Low-E IGU: $3,000–$4,500
• 2.7m × 2.1m 3-panel sliding (one fixed, two operable): $4,500–$6,000
• 3.6m × 2.1m 3-panel stacker: $5,500–$8,500
• 4-panel bifold (~3.2m wide): $4,500–$6,500
• 6-panel bifold (~4.8m wide): $7,000–$10,500
• French door pair (~1.8m total): $4,000–$6,500