Bi Fold door help pls - upvc, aluminium or wood?

WiSEOtter

I have recently used crystalglazingsolutions.co.uk/bifold-doors/ after doing a Google search.

They have a configuration page and I was able to upload my drawings. They go back to me withing the day and the price was reasonable for a bespoke product.

I also emailed others at the same time and most didn't even reply so maybe my job was too small? :cool:

Helen

skintstudentbabe

jezabel100 wrote: »

Had the aluminium Smart bi folding doors fitted two years ago and they have been nothing but trouble from the start
The supplier has to return on an almost monthly basis to top and heel the first door. The hinges have been replaced as have gaskets. The rubber thermal surrounds have been reduced in depth (making the windows draughty) plus when we bought them we were told they would be covered under FENSA - it turns out they are not. The manufacturer blames the fitter and the fitter says it is a case of trying to get the toe and heel correctly aligned and that takes patience and everyone with bi folds experiences the same problems ! Every month I have to put up with the inconvenience of the door dropping and sticking (if I ignore the problem the door completely jams up)

I have been told that my only recourse is to take a claim to the small claims court but before I can do that I need to produce an expert witness report proving the doors are faulty however whilst I can find expert witnesses to give reports on double glazing i cannot find a single person who has any experience in aluminium bi folds.

If anyone knows how to find an expert witness in this field let me know and for anyone looking to purchase bi folds please select your manufacturer and more importantly installer carefully or you may find yourself with months/years of frustration.

if you dont mind my asking, which company installed the bifolds? from the description you gave, it does sound like the bifolds have not been "toe & heeled" properly, which is causing the probs you are having. also, where do you live as i may be able to suggest a company that could possibly rectify these?

skintstudentbabe

globalds wrote: »

Watching this thread with interest ..

Could anyone who has had them fitted give a ball park price ..with a frame size also to give me an idea of the cost ?

Thanks #globalds

Depending on where you live, the size, frame colour and glazing options you require, and the profile system, you would be looking at approx £3k - £4k + VAT for supply and installation..

andrewf75

Having spoken to several companies about bifolds, my conclusion is that wood is to be avoided as its very high maintenance. Aluminium is the best if you can afford it, but uPVC will do the job unless you're south-facing because the material expands in direct sunlight.

We're north facing and on a budget so I think we're going for uPVC.

ritesh

We recently had aluminium bi-fold doors fitted (2.1m x 3.6m). We did a lot of research by going to home shows etc. We finally chose the aluminium doors from Open Living, who use Origin frames for their bi-fold doors. The frames come with a 20 year guarantee from Origin.

The doors are bottum hung and very solid! Easy to open and close and maintain.

The wife loves them and will have Hilarys to fit the vertical blinds.

(ps...price for the doors was just over £3k and, more importantly service from Open Living was fantastic!)

Phil252525

I have just had a set of Aluminium Bi Fold Doors Supplied and Installed. I must admit they are far greater then I had imagined and really slim.

The doors are 5 panels (5m wide by 2.1m high)
Smarts Visofold 1000 Series I think
Opted for the standard threshold as it provide better weather protection.
Opted for a Dark Grey which looks brilliant

The doors are very secure, with two keys locks one to the main door and one to the interim door.

They also have a magnetic door catch included.

The company provided excellent customer services, delivery times were very short, (3 weeks) and the prices are very competitive.

I would certainly recommend them to everyone looking for Aluminium Bi Fold Doors. (Maybe if you mentioned you were recommended they will provide a further discount?)

Ally Windows and Doors Ltd 0333 772 9632

MallyGirl

I have 2.1m x 5m aluminium bifolds too. Manufactured in Germany and purchased through Alitex. They hang very well and can be folded back with just one finger. We went for a pretty flush threshold with a narrow grilled drain on the outside so that water didn't get in. Given the weather we have had this winter/spring it has done very well. We are south/west facing so would not have gone for wood. Having seen how badly my mother's 10 yr old uPVC conservatory sliding doors now fit we would not have chosen that material.

lackingwedge

I too am looking at BI-Fold doors.

From looking at MSE, the companies recommended are:
Folding Door Shop
Open Living
ukbifold.co.uk
foldingslidingdoors.com

Have I missed any?

At Grand Designs, there was a company called frog garden rooms that did innovative sliding doors. Instead of the doors remaing attached when opening like traditional Bi folds, you could open each pane individually.

This gave the flexibility of opening individual doors at a time although it would take slightly longer to open and close them all fully.

Is anyone familiar with this setup. They were UPVC but had some kind of paint system that mean you could have any colour you wished.

They are part of colour4you.net

I would prefer Aluminium, but prepared to consider this as a possible solution.

andrewf75

lackingwedge wrote: »

I too am looking at BI-Fold doors.

From looking at MSE, the companies recommended are:
Folding Door Shop
Open Living
ukbifold.co.uk
foldingslidingdoors.com

Have I missed any?
.

slideandfold are also recommended

lackingwedge

Added to list.......