Bifolding doors have become incredibly popular in recent years as people look to modernise their home and understand the benefits of natural light more and more.
They’re functional, providing people with the opportunity to flow from indoors to outdoors with ease, while accessibility to them has also improved, with more affordable options and sites like nowaluminium.co.uk building and installing them in all shapes and sizes.
Of course, it’s a big decision and big investment to make though, and isn’t quite as simple as getting them bought and fitted. You need to consider a lot. So, before you make the plunge, here are five things to take note of…
Space and Configuration
First and foremost you do need to think about the space you have available and the configuration you need for the doors.
Typically, bifolding doors are available in a variety of configurations, from two panels folding to one side, known as a single fold, to three panels doing the same, which is known as a French fold.
There’s also options to stack to both sides, so thinking about how they’d best suit your inside and outside space is important to make sure there’s convenient access and moving from inside to out and vice versa is smooth.
Material and Finish
Selecting the right material is also important and one of the first considerations. You can get bifolds in a number of materials these days, from timber to uPVC. Aluminium is one of the most popular these days as they are lightweight, strong and low maintenance.
Think about your home’s architectural character and what materials may suit best.
Glazing and Thermal Performance
Opt for bi-folding doors with high-quality glazing to maximise energy efficiency and comfort. Double or triple-glazed panels with Low-E coatings help to minimise heat loss in winter and reduce solar heat gain in summer, keeping your home comfortable year-round. Consider choosing doors with thermally broken frames to prevent condensation and improve insulation. Discuss thermal performance ratings with your supplier to ensure the doors meet building regulations and contribute to energy savings.
Security Features
While bifolding doors are incredibly secure these days, when selecting doors you should prioritise security, after all they are an access point to your home and contain a lot of glass.
Keep an eye out for doors with multi-point locking systems and robust hinges, as well as toughened glass to provide durability against any potential forced entry.
Alongside this, you may also want to invest further insecurity, with there plenty of home security cameras around these days to suit all budgets.
Professional Installation and Warranty
Finally, consider who you want to install them and the type of warranty you will have on the doors. Naturally, it’s always best to go with reputable suppliers and ones that offer comprehensive warranties on the off chance anything does go wrong. Consider all the above and your bifolding doors could really revolutionise the home and provide you with the natural light, air flow and space you need.
