Bi-Folding Doors

Mike-Graham

Hi,

Wanting to know peoples views on Bi-Folding doors, we've heard good things and bad things (such as seals failing in two seconds, air leakage etc). What are peoples opinions who actually have these things installed?

Regards
Mike

wealdroam

Have you thought about using the forum's search facility?

Here is one recent thread:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5221506

justintime999

I like them. I've never had one myself but the idea is appealing to me.


If the seals fall in two-seconds then simply get a refund

Mike-Graham

Its easier said than done I think though. We plan to install ourselves, which generally affects the warranty, since they blame the installer. I know our front composite door, we've had no end of trouble with the seals on that ripping, they send us new ones out, but its a pain keep replacing them. I think i'm shying away from a low threshold (which looks as our composite door, a disaster waiting to happen), and going for a standard threshold, which i'll rebate slightly to make it less noticeable.

Mike-Graham

wealdroam wrote: »

Have you thought about using the forum's search facility?

Here is one recent thread:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5221506

Thanks, but wasn't really what I was after. I want to know real world experiences down the line with things like seals etc, not 'I had some fitted last month and love them'

DRP

we're in the process of designing an extension. Given the poor to mediocre feedback on bifold doors from friends and family, we're going with french doors and floor to ceiling windows next to them.

Like this, but the doors will be on one side and 2 windows on the other to give a symmetrical look...

al69

Our bifolds have been in a year and im not even sure how you could damage the seals on them. I helped install them with my window fitter brother in law.

I like the fact these have zero adjustments and totally rely on correct toe and healing to keep them working properly.

At 1 meter a leaf they are heavy too and work effortlessly.

They came from http://www.duration.co.uk/

I used to work as a locksmith and dealt with lots of doors in the past and have to say this systems is very good as its simple meaning less to go wrong.

Also duration have a big set up and use a well known frame system so spares shouldnt be an issue.

andrewf75

We've had them for a year and the toeing and heeling is what causes problems I think. If you know you can do it right and can make the necessary adjustments over time then you should be fine, but for those of us without those skills, its a pain having to get people round to do it.

kaya

We had a 4 meter run of upvc doors, don't do that ever! I counted and they about 20 different adjustments on them , wouldn't open in summer and grew gaps big enough to fit a ballpoint pen in when winter arrived

theonlywayisup

We have had bifolds for years. They span a large area (10m) and we went for aluminium powder coated frames. They are absolutely amazing and I wouldn't be without them. They are very sleek and could be opened with one finger, they glide on runners at the top and bottom.

I think a lot of the bad feedback might be from PVCu bifolds or cheap installations.

Mike-Graham

I've had quotes for uPVC systems (which we are going to see this weekend), and Aluminium, and even Aluminium Clad uPVC, the full Ally was the most expensive, around £2700, full uPVC cheapest at around £2150, with no difference in warranty. These particular bi-folds are going to be installed facing north, so an area which will never get any sun on it at any point during the day/year, so we may not suffer too badly with the expansion issues.

The issue I have with Aluminium, is the distinct lack of being able to achieve a low u-value. UKBiFold got to 1.5U for nearly £3k, yet for £2150 I can easily achieve 1.0U with uPVC, same with the Alu-Clad uPVC, and that's what's throwing me at the moment.

People with Alu sets, are they cold to touch, draw cold in to the room?