Bi folding doors, sometimes referred to as bi fold doors, concertina doors, folding doors or multi folding doors, can transform a small ordinary room into a large open space and bring the outside inside. The folding doors can be installed in the home or into your business premises. Your home or business building will benefit greatly by maximising on access as the doors can open up to 90% of their width. The limitations of traditional patio and French style doors are greatly restricted by the actual space available when they are in the open position.
Your Home
Using these types of doors in your home you will find that when installed they will add a touch of class to your home. They are very versatile and look great. Just think about it an entire wall can effortlessly be swept aside within seconds immediately combining your room with the great outdoors.
These doors are suitable for:
- French or patio door replacement
- Living room extensions
- Conservatories and sunrooms
- Balconies
Not only can these doors be used on an external wall but they are an excellent choice as a partition wall within the home. Two small rooms can be turned into a large room instantly. The internal bi folding doors can be folded away into a recess or simply to one side maximising the available space. When the larger room is no longer required the doors can be unfolded closing off the rooms again and returning them to their original cosy environments.
Bring the outside inside. By opening up your bi folding patio doors your patio and garden will immediately become an extended room to your home making a great addition when having a barbeque or party. With the addition of exterior lighting the area can be used well into the night. At the end of the night simply and effortlessly close the doors making the home secure and weather tight again.
By having folding doors, for example at the rear of your house, potential buyers can immediately see the benefits. This in turn may increase the value of your home especially if there are similar houses for sale in your area without this enhancement.
Aluminium bi folding doors for example provide your home with added security. Aluminium is a very versatile material with its incredible strength, lightweight construction and huge range of colours available makes these types of doors an excellent stylish choice. When they are in the closed position during the winter time you are fully protected from the elements. They are totally draught free and the frames are insulated making them thermal efficient.
- An example of folding doors in the open position bringing the outside inside
- Another example of folding door in the open position see how the room extends outwards
Your Business
Your business premises can benefit hugely from a set of folding doors opening up into an outside area or partitioning of internal spaces. Folding doors are elegant and functional and are a brilliant addition to any business premises. They are especially suitable and desirable in restaurants and bars or other establishments that cater for large numbers of the public. During good weather times the doors can be unfolded allowing access to a patio area substantially increasing the available floor space for tables and chairs and therefore increased turnover. If the external area is used frequently then at night the doors can be closed to weather proof and secure the premises
Bi folding interior doors is especially suitable as room partitions in hotels, schools, offices, car show rooms and the like. By partitioning off sections the total space is used to the maximum. Large rooms can be made smaller to accommodate smaller groups and multiple groups can be catered for at the same time by separating the room space or if there is a requirement for a large group then the partitions can be opened.
The doors neatly fold away to one side or split to fold to either side and stacked into a recess. Maximum space available is the result with this doors interior option.
UPVC bi folding doors: The market is moving away from this type of material used for folding doors in preference to aluminium. UPVC can develop problems as a result of contraction and expansion with changes in temperature typical between seasons.
Due to the continual problems arising for uPVC folding doors some manufacturers in recent years have stopped making them and transferred or concentrated on aluminium type doors. The only reason uPVC was used was due to a lower cost for the end user, however, in the long run this has proved counterproductive. Folding doors made from aluminium are by far a much superior product requiring very little maintenance therefore easier for manufacturers to provide lengthy guarantees.
Glazing
When you are purchasing bi folding French doors take extra care when choosing the glass. Because of the huge areas of glass involved in glazed internal doors and glazed internal doors safety is paramount. Also there can be significant heat losses especially at night with the opposite during the day by significant heat gain. The type of glass installed will determine the levels of safety, comfort and security together with noise pollution.
Available glass solutions include:
Double glazed glass units - Two or more layers of glass panes comprising hermetically sealed air spaces to reduce thermal losses resulting in lower energy consumption.
Thermal glass options:
Low-E coated glazing – Low-E type glass which stands for Low Emissivity used in double glazed units will allow most natural light to enter but will reflect a significant amount of short-wave heat energy. This in effect means that during the summer time solar heat gain energy radiating from objects e.g. sidewalk and driveway is reflected back outside therefore lowering any cooling cost. In the winter the Low E glass will reflect back inside the heat energy from radiators etc. keeping the room warm and therefore lowering heating costs.
- Radiation deflection internally and externally
Safety glass options:
Safety laminated glass type – Laminated glass is two layers of glass with a plastic layer in between forming a glass/plastic/glass (6.4mm thick) sandwich reducing the risk of penetration. If the glass is broken the plastic layer retains the overall integrity of the pane. It is more expensive and heavier than toughened glass.
Advantages include:
- Will withstands a knock from a heavy object or a person falling against the glass
- Increases security
- If broken will still act as a barrier until replacement
Safety toughened glass (tempered) type – considerably stronger than standard glass (about 4 times) of the same thickness. It is resistant to thermal stress and impact. If broken the glass shatters into small and blunt pieces of glass fragments (known as dice) reducing the risk of injury. One disadvantage is when toughened pane of glass is broken it requires immediate replacement.
If you found this article interesting try reading internal folding doors and interior doors folding options for closets.
If folding doors are too expensive then another option is interior French doors.