As homeowners turn to their gardens to increase living space, Bohle’s FloorTrack sliding door system is giving installers the tools to blur the boundaries between inside and out.Transforming back gardens into a ‘fifth room’ for entertaining and relaxing has built steadily since the pandemic, with no sign of abating, according to Wickes’ Great Garden Report.
The study found that more than one third of homeowners (36%) host friends and family in their back gardens more now than they did a decade ago, with more than one quarter (27%) opting to socialise at home as a cheaper alternative to visiting restaurants and bars.
“The Covid lockdowns and the subsequent cost-of-living crisis have had a lasting impact on the way we live and socialise, and it’s placed a lot more emphasis on the home and the way our space is used – both inside and out,” says Paul Miller, National Sales Manager at Bohle.
As homeowners seek to blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, a floor-guided sliding door system, such as Bohle’s FloorTrack, is offered to installers looking to capitalise on the demand, says Paul.
“FloorTrack creates a transparent partition wall that seamlessly separates living spaces and outdoor areas,” he explains. “It’s a great-looking, practical and functional product that can really add the ‘wow-factor’ to a home, and it’s also an easy way for installers to add margin, particularly when installing products such as conservatories, or overhead canopies.
“It can be used as an uninhibited, floor-to-ceiling gateway between our homes and the outside world, as well as on patios and terraces to zone the space, providing protection from the elements, when necessary.
“There are no distracting sightlines or clunky hardware: just harmony between the adjoining areas, and uninterrupted views of the garden or space beyond.”
Providing installers with optimum flexibility to meet their customers’ needs, one version of the running track is embedded in the floor, while a surface-mounted running track is also available. Ramp profiles can also be installed for barrier-free transitions.
Able to accommodate large apertures, the FloorTrack system can incorporate between three and five sliding elements with a maximum width of 1.1m each, or alternatively, total widths of over 10m can be achieved thanks to connecting elements available from Bohle.
Available in a white, anthracite grey or anodised aluminium finish, FloorTrack enables installers to match the hardware to the customer’s existing window and door colour scheme, for added appeal. With adjustment made simple, guaranteeing perfect alignment of the glass panes, it is quick and easy to install, reducing time on site.
Anodised fittings also ensure the corrosion protection necessary for outdoor use, minimising callbacks and maintenance issues.
“It’s clear the ‘outdoor interiors’ trend is still with us, and FloorTrack is the perfect way for installers to get onboard and make the most of the opportunities this presents,” added Paul.
“Research shows that many homeowners are looking to invest in their garden spaces over the next five years and a high-margin, easy to fit system like FloorTrack, is a great way to enhance and integrate the home and garden environment. It’s a winner for both installers and their customers.”
