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Bonded vs Beaded Sliding Doors: What You Need to Know

If you're researching slimline aluminium sliding doors, you've probably come across two terms: bonded and beaded. They refer to how the glass is held within the aluminium frame and these are the two ways of holding the glass in place in your sliding doors.

This article explains the difference, outlines the pros and cons, and helps you understand why your long-term experience depends less on the glazing method and more on who makes and installs your doors.

At Glideline, we manufacture both bonded and beaded sliding doors, and we’re here to give you the facts about both these products.

What Is a Bonded Sliding Door?

A bonded sliding door is one where the glass is structurally glued into the aluminium frame using specialist adhesives. This creates a strong, unified door panel that relies on the strength of the glass for structural integrity.

You won’t see any internal glazing beads. Just slim aluminium framing and uninterrupted glass. The result is usually the slimmest sightlines available around the entire door set and provides an ultra slim and more minimal look overall.

At Glideline, we manufacture both bonded and beaded doors using a select range of expertly engineered systems:

What Is a Beaded Sliding Door?

A beaded door uses traditional glazing beads — aluminium extruded strips with gaskets that clip or fix into place to hold the glass inside the frame. This method allows for easier glass replacement or servicing because the unit can be removed and replaced without replacing the entire sash.

While beaded doors are often a little chunkier in appearance (especially at the base or outer frame), there are now 20mm beaded systems on the market. Whilst these do the job, they are never as slim as a bonded sliding door.

What Are the Pros and Cons?

Let’s clear up the confusion and address some of the common concerns head-on.

Bonded Doors: Pros

Bonded Doors: Cons

At Glideline, we’ve addressed these cons. Because we retain full manufacturing records on every product, we can return to site years later with a fully pre-glazed replacement sash — cut to the exact sizes, with the original colour reference, and matching profiles. There’s no confusion, no guesswork, and no hassle.

And with routine cleaning using a soft sponge and mild soapy water, you minimise fading and keep your aluminium looking consistent for years.

Beaded Doors: Pros

Beaded Doors: Cons

Our GS47 is our beaded sliding door offering contemporary styling and excellent quality at a more affordable price. These doors still come with slim sightlines, high-end finishes, multiple track options and PAS 24 compliance where needed. You don’t have to sacrifice performance for practicality.

Don't Be Misled by Overstated Risks

There’s a trend in the market — including from some well-known names — to scare people off bonded systems with dramatic analogies and worst-case scenarios.

You’ll hear claims that a single glass break means the entire door system must be replaced. Or that your installer disappearing means your doors are now unserviceable. These statements are only half true — and only apply if you buy from the wrong supplier.

At Glideline, we’ve built our manufacturing systems around bonded and beaded servicing. Our doors are traceable, documented, and built for real-world longevity.

So, while it’s true you’ll need to replace the sash on a bonded door and not just the glass, Glideline-made doors won’t leave you stranded. We can manufacture and deliver a matching unit based on the original specifications, no matter how many years later, assuming the system is still current and available.

Some suppliers of partially bonded 20mm doors will claim these offer the same experience. They are high quality doors, however, no partially bonded or beaded doors can get anywhere near the sightlines of a bonded version. We don’t just mean the same 20mm mullion, we mean the frame and sashes which are always thicker at the top and bottom rails, side profiles and the outer frame itself. That is the trade-off you need to understand.

Why Your Installer Choice Matters Most

Whichever glazing method you choose, the most important decision when buying new sliding doors is who you buy from.

Bonded doors, in particular, require precise manufacturing, expert fitting, and a company with the scale and structure to support the product for years to come.

Many smaller installers or online-only resellers sell bonded doors without understanding the long-term servicing needs.

It’s our manufacturing records holding every single product detail. From manufacturing sizes, glass size, colour reference and even down to every component used. Our processes allow us to replace bonded doors years down the line, where others can’t.

At Glideline:

Which Should You Choose? Bonded or Beaded Doors?

There’s no right or wrong answer. It depends on your priorities:

Choose bonded sliding doors if:

Choose beaded sliding doors if:

Either way, Glideline has a system to suit — with GS25, GS20 and GS15 are our bonded doors and GS47 is our beaded option.

It’s Not About Bonded vs Beaded — It’s About Trust

When it comes to bonded sliding doors, the real problem isn’t the bonding. It’s the lack of transparency in how some products are sold — and the lack of infrastructure with some installers and manufacturers to back them up long term.

That’s why we recommend always working with an experienced bonded door manufacturer — not just someone who sells systems from a catalogue. And an installer with proven expertise in handling, specifying and fitting bonded sliding doors.

Glideline is uniquely placed to deliver both bonded and beaded sliding doors that are:

Speak to Us About Your Project

For homeowners:

Ultra slim sliding doors are available nationwide through our network of approved installers. We’ll put you in touch with an experienced installer who understands bonded doors inside and out — no guesswork, just a better result.

For trade professionals:

Glideline is a trade only manufacturer helping installers, architects and developers stand out in a crowded market. We give you an edge with enhanced products, slimmer doors, faster support, and no retail competition. Just expert backing.

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