Bifolds

AEC78

Hello all
We have ordered bifold doors with installation from a specialist company as part of an extension project, paying the manufacturing fee back on 18 April (deposit 18 March). There were issues early on with me needing to double check a couple of measurements as I wasn’t sure the survey report had factored in flooring effectively. After endless emails going back and forth the company sent out the surveyor to do a second survey. I was told to be reassured that all measurements were now under control. Our doors were supposed to be installed yesterday… a long wait after we had initially been told a lead time of 5-6 weeks. However, it turns out that the doors have been made to completely the wrong size. The company are calling this a ‘clerical’ error and are now saying we need to wait another 5-6 weeks for the correct doors. This is a disaster… has huge implications for our building work (can’t finish floor or patio) and our family life (can’t use the room) and household security. They haven’t offered any sort of compensation or even been particularly apologetic for this major error and the delay caused. I am very upset and feel that at the very least we should be compensated for the delays and inconvenience. What is a reasonable compensation to expect in the circumstances? Thanks in advance for tips on how to move forward...

John.Wright

Aluminium all the way. A lot stronger and in my opinion look much better

adaalb01

Good morning,

Hoping someone can help...

Our window installer has offered either Smarts Visio 1000 or ALUK bifold doors as options for our renovation project.

There’s a circa £500 difference between the two.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

Many thanks in advance. 

greenface2

adaalb01 said:

Good morning,

Hoping someone can help...

Our window installer has offered either Smarts Visio 1000 or ALUK bifold doors as options for our renovation project.

There’s a circa £500 difference between the two.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

Many thanks in advance. 

If the finish / rubbish removal and guarantee are the same go with the one that you think will come back and tweek when you may need them to do so . Go with the family business or local trader . That 500 will not be important in a few years . Very similar products . Imagine the prices were the same and go with the one you feel provide a better service . If the more expensive has a sales rep then there is your 500 

nick4692

Both Smart Systems and Aluk are bifold systems that are tried and tested and serve you well.  Bear in mind these doors are made by many manufacturers so they're only as good as the quality of their manufacture and how they're fitted.  
My home improvement advice website rarely hears anything negative about Smarts.  Older Aluk doors however we very often hear of the pop-out T handle failing and people struggling to find replacements easily and someone to fix them (more so on out of warranty doors). Have you actually seen the doors? The best test of quality hardware is to move them. The smoother and more glide on the doors the better the indicator of quality.  There are better-engineered doors out there but these two are the best selling in the UK purely to their wide availability and reasonable prices. 

Hope this helps

Kind regards, 

Nick