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Our Complete Bifold Doors Buying Guide
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If you’re thinking of installing new external glass doors in your home, your first decision will often come down to whether your new view is securely protected by a set of sliding or bi-folding doors.
To help with making your decision, we always recommend heading down to one of our showrooms and speaking with our experts. In the meantime we’ve created this in-depth bifold door buyers’ guide to cover everything you need to know.
WHAT ARE BI-FOLD DOORS?
Although bifold doors and sliding doors share numerous similarities, it should come as no surprise that they’re mainly differentiated by the way they open. As the names imply, sliding doors slide, while bifold doors fold.
And by fold, we mean that a set of bi-folding doors has the ability to stack each separate pane on top of each other in an accordion-like manner, allowing you to swing the door to one side once fully folded to provide you with an unbroken view and an exit to the outdoors.
HOW DO BIFOLD DOORS WORK?
While simple in principle, there’s more that goes into enabling this type of door to fold in on each other than you might think.
First and foremost, the frame of each door pane is joined by a set of durable hinges, designed to take the weight of either adjoining frame once it’s removed from its holdings.
However, that’s not the only weight-distributing feature. Like doors that slide, bi-folds are still connected by a set of runners that glide along the bottom track, ensuring they’re supported properly when fully open. Each system is slightly different, but it is when opening and closing bi-folding doors with a traffic door where people can sometimes do so incorrectly.
We have an operations and maintenance page with videos such as the one shown below that details how to properly operate our products, including bi-folding doors.
WHAT MATERIALS ARE BIFOLD DOORS MADE FROM?
As with any type of bespoke window or door, the frames of bi-folding doors can be constructed using a variety of materials that cater to different aesthetics. The following are the most common:
- Aluminium
- Timber
- PVC
- Composite
All of these have their pros and cons as construction materials. However, it’s important to note that here at Express, we exclusively produce our bi-folding doors from aluminium in order to give our customers a product that is long-lasting, looks great, and performs well for many years.
ALUMINIUM
In most cases, aluminium is considered to be the best material for constructing bi-folding doors, mainly due to its versatility and strength.
There are a lot of moving components with a bi-folding door so strong yet light aluminium profiles ensure that aluminium bi-folding doors can contain slim profiles and sightlines, which look great while coupled with inherent strength that means the doors will stand the test of time.
Aluminium bi-folding doors are durable enough to support large panes of glass that provide truly panoramic views, plus the material doesn’t expand and contract in harsh weather, making it ideal for any climate and for the huge palette of colours and finishes that are available with aluminium bi-folding doors.
TIMBER
With its classic, rustic feel, it’s clear why timber is another favourite for those interested in getting bifolds. And if the wood is used alongside aluminium, it can help to reinforce the strength of the doors themselves, meaning they will ultimately last longer.
However, timber tends to require more maintenance than other materials and to avoid warping and distorting, it requires chunkier and heavier profiles to operate correctly. Timber bi-folds manufactured and installed by a specialist company are very well insulated and can provide a stylish alternative to aluminium, but are best suited to traditional properties as they don’t provide the slim sightlines or wide folding panels that can be achieved with aluminium.
PVC
PVC might be the cheapest material option, but it’s also perhaps the least practical. PVC often expands and contracts as a result of temperature change, making opening and closing doors more difficult, and it may become a security issue if improperly closed.
PVC is also much weaker than other materials and is less able to hold large panes of glass as a result. As a concept, PVC bi-folding doors don’t really work, which is why specialist PVC companies are adding aluminium bifold doors into their range. A bi-folding door is a specialist product to manufacture and install, so we would always recommend buying from a specialist aluminium manufacturer like ourselves or our more reputable competitors.
COMPOSITE
For something that seamlessly combines a traditional appearance with the practicality and performance of aluminium, composite bifolds are sometimes a popular choice.
Offering a traditional timber-clad finish with all the benefits of an aluminium door on the outside of a property, composite is a strong candidate for period properties where homeowners don’t want a modern aluminium aesthetic. Composite bi-folding doors, like their timber counterparts, are expensive, heavy to operate and don’t offer slim sightlines.
BIFOLD DOOR GLAZING OPTIONS
One of the biggest parts of making any set of bifolds is the glass that’s used. Making your home look lighter, warmer, and more inviting, it’s no wonder that so many people take their glazing so seriously.
There is a wide range of options available to homeowners when it comes to door glazing, as bi-folding doors can house any type of glazing specification.
Below are some of the terms you need to look out for:
- Soft coat, thermal performance and U values – A ‘soft coat’ is applied to modern glazing units, and this is what prevents heat from escaping from your windows and bifold doors. This soft coat will have a U value rating; the lower the U value, the better the glass is at keeping the heat in. Low E glass is another common term used.
There are some naughty companies in the glazing industry, and some companies will give you the U value of the glass only. When talking about U values or thermal performance, it’s the overall U value of the bifolding door and glass together that is needed for building regulations, so make sure you always ask for the overall U value.
- Triple glazing – There is a debate in the industry about whether this offers good value or not. Triple glazing is heavy and can be expensive, so the focus needs to be on those all-important overall U values.
The thermal performance of bi-folding door products varies greatly, so a really efficient double-glazed bifold door system might achieve a better overall U value than a less efficient bi-folding door system that is triple-glazed.
Here at Express, all our bi-folding doors surpass building regulations when double-glazed with a good quality softcoat low E glass, but if you want to push down your U values further, then triple glazing is available across our full range.
- Laminated glass – This is another common word you might hear as it is stipulated by building regulations from a security point of view. Laminated glass is essentially two pieces of glass bonded together, and this central bond interlayer ensures that the glass cracks rather than shatters if it is attacked. Similar to a car windscreen or commercial shopfronts, laminated is definitely worth considering if you are concerned about security, or if you need your new build or extension signed off by building control.
What about keeping the heat out?
Living in the UK and potentially adding a wall of glass into your home automatically makes you concerned about keeping the heat in, but glass enhances solar heat gain into a property, so if you’re south facing, a solar control coating can be added to the external pane of glass to reduce the sun’s heat when it comes into your property.
Integral blinds
A great and contemporary option that works wonderfully well with bifolding doors. The blinds are sealed within the glass and never need cleaning, and when the bifolding doors are opened, the blinds just sweep to one side along with the door. No curtain rails or external blinds end up blowing in the wind as they are sealed and protected within the glass units. The blinds are available in a range of colours and manual and remote operation, so they are a great way to add privacy and light control to your bifolding doors.
Visit the glazing section of our website to learn more about glass ranges and technologies, all of which can be installed into bi-folding doors.
WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF BIFOLD DOORS?
As you might expect, there are plenty of benefits of bifold doors. Not only do they provide a flexible space and a real wow factor to your home, but they can provide a huge source of natural light throughout the year.
THE BENEFITS OF BIFOLD DOORS
The following are just some of the major benefits associated with bifolds:
Security – our bi-folding doors are extremely secure thanks to multi-point locking systems and steel shoot bolt locks. They can also be combined with shatterproof laminated glass for enhanced security measures.
Natural light – big panes of floor-to-ceiling glass mean plenty of natural light can be welcomed into your home all year round.
Air circulation – fully opening your bi-folds allows you to quickly freshen up the room and welcome in clean air.
Easy maintenance – thanks to their aluminium construction and commercial grade power coating, our folding doors are exceptionally dirt resistant and easy to maintain.
Eco-friendly properties – unlike other materials, aluminium is 100% recyclable.
Use as a normal back door – bifolding doors can contain an everyday access door that can be used as a normal door without having to open up all the panels.
Indoor and outdoor living – bifolding doors can completely transform a space, when closed they look contemporary and strong, but when open they immediately blur the boundaries between inside and outside.
Make your home desirable – flexible and open spaces are common requirements in today’s housing market, so bifolding doors will increase your home’s desirability and value should you sell it.
Luxury views – with reduced frame sizes and huge panes, you get fantastically wide views over your garden.
Increase your space – Because bifolding doors blur the boundaries between inside and out, once they’re open, they instantly connect your indoor and outdoor space, making your home feel larger and your garden feel like a key part of your home.
THE DRAWBACKS OF BIFOLDING DOORS
The great benefits listed above also come with what some will consider drawbacks, of which the main ones include:
More frames – although the frames of folding doors are slim, the nature of their construction does mean that they include more frames than sliding doors, breaking up your view to a larger degree. So if you want the slimmest possible sightlines, sliding doors might be the best option for you.
Space – depending on how your new folding doors need to be installed, the panels will fold into the house or most commonly out and into the garden. This method may very well take up more space than desired once fully open, making them less than ideal for small garden or compact patio areas.
Operated incorrectly – bifolding doors are easy to use once you’re shown how, but guests to the home and children might open or close them incorrectly, which can damage the bottom tracks of the door.
The following video shows how to open the door correctly, and we have more informative videos on our maintenance and operation page.
COMMON BIFOLDING DOOR FAQs
To ensure you have all the information you need when deciding on purchasing bifolding doors, the following are our most frequently asked questions. Be sure to reach out to our team if your question isn’t answered below.
Are all bifolding doors the same?
Most definitely not. The principles on how they open might be the same, but there are huge differences in the quality of varied bifold door systems.
When should I start looking for bifolding doors?
When carrying out any home improvement project, its best to start looking as early as possible. The internet is the perfect way to start, and then inevitably your phone will start feeding you company adverts. This can be the start of your journey as you can start looking at company websites and learning about what products are available. Exhibitions are a great way to check out various products in a short space of time, and then of course, you should always visit a showroom to see the quality of the doors first-hand.
What should I look out for when buying bifolding doors?
There are lots of things to look out for. As a bifolding door will play such a key role in your property, its important to find a good product that will keep your home secure, keep your home warm, and of course operate effortlessly for years. The quality of the hardware and the rollers is crucial. Data sheets will give you the thermal performance of the door, but its important that you look into where the product will be manufactured because you don’t want to buy from a third party who will put a markup on your doors and have no control over its quality. When buying bifolding doors its also important that it will be fully installed and guaranteed. Bifolding doors can move over time and sometimes need minor adjustments. They’re not a ‘fit and forget’ product, so it’s important to use a reputable company that has been trading for over ten years as they’re much more likely to honour their guarantee.
From an aesthetic point of view, the sightline is crucial; the maximum weight per panel is important because that gives an idea of the strength of the rollers. Cheaper is definitely not better. You want quality lock cylinders, steel rollers and a bifolding door that feels strong, yet is light and easy to use.
Can I have a flush threshold?
Yes, it is possible to have a flush threshold. Many bifold door systems offer a completely level threshold, but a slight rebate is better from a weather rating point of view. If the door is bespoke, your internal floor can be set against this rebate so it has a flush finish floor level but with excellent weather ratings.
When should I ask for a survey?
Your finished floor level is crucial because no one wants a large step or trip hazard. Your finished floor level is determined by your choice of floor, style, underfloor heating etc, but once that is set we can measure your doors to ensure the top of the bifold door track hits your finished floor level perfectly.
Can bifolding doors replace existing doors and windows?
Of course, the depth of most bi-fold door systems is similar to PVC doors and windows, so replacing existing French doors, sidelights, and other window systems is a fairly straight-forward installation. The difference in natural light once the bifolding doors are in is fantastic as well.
HOW SECURE ARE BIFOLD DOORS?
At Express, we take security very seriously. All of our bifolding doors are made using a multi-point locking system designed to provide several points of contact within the frame. This prevents intruders from lifting the door or prying it open.
All our doors also feature anti-snap and half-lock cylinders to maximise lock security, and our sturdy double-glazing prevents panes from being easily breached.
HOW DO YOU OPEN BIFOLD DOORS?
For those still unsure how to open bi-fold doors, the process is very simple. Once unlocked, you only need to gently open the master door against the panel catch on the intermediate panel. On the inside of the door, rotate the flat handle up, this releases the shootbolt locks allowing you to effortlessly push the door panes open. Once folded, you need only swing the door to one side so it’s out of the way.
HOW CAN I STYLE BIFOLD DOORS?
Like with every aspect of your home, we know you’ll want it to complement your personal tastes with your new doors. And when it comes to the aesthetical extras for bifolds, there are many options to choose from with Express because all our doors and aluminium windows are available in over 200 RAL colours, as well as metallic and textured finishes, each of which uses a powder-coat paint that is baked onto the frames to prevent peeling and fading for up to 10 years. Integral blinds can be incorporated into bifolding doors, and we offer a range of handle colours also.
HOW MUCH ARE BIFOLD DOORS?
The price of your folding doors will depend on several factors, including how many panels you want to install, the type of glazing you choose, and the size of the doors themselves. For an idea of how much your new set of doors might cost, it’s best to get in touch with us for a quote.
Are express bifolding doors bespoke?
Yes, all our bi-folding doors are completely bespoke to each individual order. Our sister company expressbifoldsdirect.co.uk offers stock and pre-made bifolding doors that can be ordered online on a supply-only basis.
What is the guarantee like?
The guarantee from Express is the most comprehensive in the industry. We offer a five-year manufacturer’s guarantee on any integral blinds (because we don’t manufacture them) and then ten years on everything else, except glass breakages after our installation. We can offer ten years on everything because our products are so good that if there is an issue after they’re installed it’s usually just a small adjustment or a ten-minute job on site to rectify.
The difference between our ten-year guarantee and even twenty-year guarantees that some companies mention is that ours is fully comprehensive. As we survey, manufacture and install the product, there is no grey area; it’s all covered by Express. And as a family company that’s been trading since 2007 and with more than 300 employees nationwide we have the infrastructure to back this up, thanks to our dedicated aftersales team and field engineers. If your bifolding door is catching, a handle is loose, or there is a slight draft that needs adjusting, all you need to do is e-mail [email protected] and within a week or so, one of our engineers will attend site to rectify the issue. This service is in place for ten years from the day we complete your installation.
Is there much maintenance with bifolding doors?
Aluminium bi-folding doors are not far from being maintenance-free, they just need the odd clean down and the parts need to be lubricated frequently. We also recommend opening and closing the door fully, once a month, even in the winter months and keeping the tracks clear at all times.
Why should I buy from express bifolding doors?
There are lots of reasons to buy from Express Bi-Folding Doors. We’re a family-owned company who have been manufacturing aluminium bi-folding doors since 2007. In fact, we were the first in the UK to offer bi-folding doors with a quick lead time – hence our name.
Our lead times are not our USP now; instead the fact that we have a world-class 200,000 square foot manufacturing facility making solely aluminium products is. We have the world’s leading CNC machinery and what we believe is the most skilled workforce in the industry, many of whom have been with us for nearly two decades.
Our guarantees are second to none, as are our showrooms where all our products can be explored in detail, but one of the best things about Express is that we offer various bifolding door systems, all of which are manufactured in-house and come with the same guarantees. We can simply talk through your requirements and your budget, and you can choose the product that is perfect for you and your project, plus offer you the opportunity to complement your bifolding door with our wider range of window and door products.
Take the next step
We know that there’s a lot to take into consideration when making any modifications to your home, but we hope that the information provided in this buying guide gives you a better idea as to whether or not bi-folding doors will suit your home.
Of course, if you want to learn more about your bi-folding door options, then you can always request a brochure from us. And to see each of our bi-fold door systems in person, it’s always a good idea to head down to your nearest showroom. Finally, don’t forget to visit our blog for more detailed articles and buying guides like this one!
TAILORED SOLUTIONS FOR ALL HOMES & BUDGETS
our range of bi-folding doors
We manufacture and install three industry leading bi-folding door systems, all bespoke and available in any number of panels and each with their own unique features that will bring the many benefits of floor to ceiling glass folding doors to your home.
The highest specification bi-fold door within our portfolio. The system boasts a slim 90mm sightline and the ability to house individual panels up to 1500mm wide for the maximum glass coverage.
Our most cost-effective folding door system, the XP10 is available to purchase on a supply-only basis and boasts a sightline of 122mm, with individual panels that can go as wide as 1100mm.
A set of bifold patio doors boasting the slimmest sightlines on the market. Providing slender sightlines of 88m and the ability to create large folding panels up to 1100mm wide, the XP88 even offers overall U values as low 1.3 W/m2k.
Our full range is available in black with bars across the glass to create the popular steel look. Made using our thermally broken XP View, 88 or XP10 aluminium bi-fold door systems, the horizontal bars offer both a contemporary and industrial twist.
REAL HOMES, STUNNING RESULTS
Discover How Our BI-FOLD Doors Transform Homes Across the UK
Since 2007 we’ve contributed to some of the most wonderful homes in the UK. Take a look through our online case studies to see various examples of how our external bi-folding doors have been installed to create some truly stunning spaces. We have also handpicked some projects below to hopefully give you some ideas and home inspiration.
