The tremendous growth in demand for folding sliding doors in the last two to three years has led to a rapid increase in the choice of door systems available to the consumer. Also known as bi-folding doors, bi-folding doors, multi-folding doors and accordion doors, they are better known as folding sliding doors due to the opening action itself. This type of door can provide unobstructed openings of up to 20 feet and sometimes more, as the panels simply fold, slide, and stack neatly to one or both sides of the opening.
Bi-fold sliding doors are an ideal replacement for existing sliding or French patio doors where they can literally transform the existing opening and open the room to the outside. This type of bi-fold door is becoming the most sought after door style for new construction and home additions, while also proving to be a popular upgrade option for homeowners adding a conservatory to their property due to its ability to seamlessly merge the new conservatory with the garden effectively. bringing the outside in.
Although the original concept of a folding sliding door dates back over 100 years, when they were often used to enclose small storage areas, today’s sliding folding doors are designed to be high performance and energy efficient patio doors. which use the latest innovative insulation features on both the door and glazing. construction.
Bi-fold sliding doors not only allow for wider, unobstructed openings, but the increased glass area allows for large streams of natural light to enter the home from the outside, which during the cooler months will provide efficient use of gain Solar to minimize heating costs. The doors are available in a variety of materials including wood, aluminum and PVC-u along with a variety of colors and finishes that will enhance any home.
WOOD
You can choose from a number of engineered wood bi-fold sliding doors, including softwoods or hardwoods such as Meranti and European Oak. The wood is typically engineered or laminated to ensure it is structurally resistant to warping or twisting and the doors are typically available with a factory applied translucent stain or RAL color paint finish.
As wood is a natural insulator, wooden folding sliding doors offer the most energy efficient solution when combined with high performance double glazing offering U-values as low as 1.4.
Timber bi-fold doors generally provide slim sight lines as individual door panels are normally hinged together without the use of additional mullions between each panel and therefore maximize visible glass areas.
Wood is a sustainable natural material that is very energy efficient, but will require regular maintenance over the life of the door to maintain its stained or painted finish.
ALUMINUM
Aluminum folding sliding doors are typically made from strong and durable thermally broken aluminum profiles that have been specifically designed for this purpose. These systems have been used for several years in both domestic and commercial facilities such as restaurants and hotels.
Most systems use bottom rolling gears so all the weight is carried on the bottom with guide rollers on top and the panels are often connected to sliding and floating studs which help ensure the door runs smoothly. hassle and effortless.
Aluminum is a popular choice for this type of bi-fold door, as it is virtually maintenance-free, strong, and good-looking. Aluminum folding sliding doors are available in over 200 different RAL paint finishes which can typically be specified in your choice of matt, silk or gloss finish. It is also possible to specify dual colors with a different color internally and externally.
UPVC
Also known as plastic or PVC-u folding sliding doors, this type of door is relatively new to the market compared to aluminum or wood. Due to its comparative low cost, uPVC door manufacturers have been quick to adapt their existing uPVC door profiles to create bi-fold doors in response to a growing market that required a more affordable bi-fold door system. uPVC folding sliding doors can be substantially cheaper than their aluminum or wooden counterparts, but there is often a trade-off in design elements that can sometimes compromise the quality of the product.
Adapting wide, bulky steel-reinforced uPVC profiles that were originally designed for traditional hinged exterior doors meant that sight lines of glass were greatly reduced and the doors used ugly-faced fixed hinges and exposed gears that sometimes also made for a mess. safety hazard.
However, some manufacturers have begun to introduce the next generation of uPVC bi-fold doors using slimmer profiles and concealed gears that compare favorably to wood and aluminum. Heavy profile steel reinforcement is starting to be replaced by lighter but stronger recycled composite material that is also much more energy efficient.