Traditionally, as the name suggests, bi fold doors come in a pair opening to the side. A double pair of sliding doors could be used meeting in the middle. One set would open to one side while the other would open to the opposite side.

Nowadays the number of doors in these systems is not limited to two or four. The systems can also incorporate an odd numbers of doors. An end door in this instance would operate like a traditional swinging door which is quite useful for access in and out without the need to open all of the doors.

Can you imagine the amount of light that will penetrate into the living space with these doors installed? When the bi fold doors are fully opened your living space extends out into the garden or deck area. A major advantage with these doors is the extent of the useable opening when the doors are fully opened. This can be a much as 90% of the overall structural opening. A 100% opening is possible by parking the stacked doors into a recess. This adds cost to the installation therefore the normal accepted opening is 90%. Compare the useable opening to sliding patio doors. The maximum opening in this instance is about 66% due to the sliding and parking arrangement of the doors.

These doors run on a track system both mounted in the floor and overhead. The Bifold door track at the threshold can be flush, fitted with the inner and outer floor level the same. This avoids the need to step over an up stand sill, however careful detailing required to ensure that the whole system is weather tight at this point. The Bifold door hardware used in the running gear is usually made from stainless steel, offering a smooth graceful sliding motion.

You have a choice when it comes to the materials used in the construction of the Bifold door systems, and these are:

• Aluminium
• Wood
• Composite
• PVC

Aluminium

The aluminium framing offers a slim profile allowing maximum glass areas in the door system. The frame incorporates a thermal break, using a material called “polyamide”, which helps in reducing heat loss through the frame sections. Also, with thermal resistance glazing the whole package combines the latest insulation properties.

Aluminium provides a virtually maintenance free service over the life of the doors and looks fantastic. White and black tend to be the standard colours held by the suppliers, however if this is not what you want there is a range boasting 200 colors to choose from.

Wood

Wood being a natural material is very appealing. These wooden doors are very elegant with a choice of colours available to choose from.

These days wooden frames are made from thin strips of wood, usually 3 strips glued together to form the framing. Modern machining allows the insertion of weather stripping systems into the frames making the whole package completely weather tight. Aluminium is the usually the material for the fittings and components allowing these doors to operate.

Composite

If you want the durability of aluminium but also the look and feel of natural wood then there is a composite version available by some manufacturers. This involves using aluminium cladding on the outside over wood frames exposed internally. A number of wood species is possible matching existing decor as required.

The composite arrangement is perfect, offering a contemporary image on the outside with the warm feeling of wood internally.

PVC

Doors made using PVC could be an option but many of the manufacturers have stopped using this material to concentrate on the other materials that offer a more stable product.

These doors can also be used internally and are quite often found in closets. Bifold closet doors offer a great advantage compared to traditional swinging doors as they take up less space to operate. So if space is tight, a Bifold closet door arrangement is the ideal solution.

The choice is yours……

The width of the opening will determine the number of doors contained in the sliding patio doors system.

The following guide provides door opening dimensions and sliding arrangements for sliding patio door systems:

he above is a guide however the dimensions may vary between suppliers.

Doors systems with up to six panels is possible, however for very large openings such as this, sliding folding doors or sometimes referred to as bi fold doors may be a better solution. Folding patio doors consist of a number of door panels located in a straight line. To open up the doors simply slide the doors to the side. All of the doors, while sliding, fold on top of the next and eventually all the doors will be stacked to the side. These types of doors are used mainly for large homes or for restaurants allowing the owner to open up onto a decked area creating additional dining space.

One possible downside with sliding doors is the available useable opening. You can see from the table above the percentage achievable with patio doors ranges from about 50 – 66%. With the folding door system mentioned earlier, up to about 90% is possible. However, these doors are lot more expensive than the sliding type, but they do look fantastic. Your budget will ultimately dictate the type of doors you install.

You have the choice of materials used in the manufacture of these door systems including:

• Aluminium
• Wood
• UPVC

Aluminium is a strong material therefore the frames can be quite narrow in each section allowing maximum glass areas. White and black are standard colours, however, it is possible to have others from a 200 strong colour range. This product offers a maintenance free service life.

UPVC patio doors (which stands for Un-plasticised Polyvinyl Chloride) are a popular choice these days. This material does not rot and is resistant to climate changes. Doors made with this material will remain very stable throughout the life cycle. It is strong and resistant to impact. This product offers a maintenance free service life but regular cleaning is required to keep the frames looking their best.

Range of uPVC colors

The standard color is white but other colors are available including simulated wood grain. A recent color addition has been black wood grain which is very rich looking when installed. It is possible to have a wood grain effect internally with a white finish externally, or vice versa, using a dual colour frame profile. Other colours such as reds, blues, greens, yellows etc are now possible using a special coating process but they come at a much higher price.

Wood has a traditional appearance being a natural material. With modern machining and manufacturing techniques timber, together with the latest finishing products, allow doors to be made to a very high standard. Nowadays timber doors made this way require a reduced amount of maintenance compared to doors made years ago. Some maintenance will be required though over the life of the doors. However, no longer is there a need to burn off the old paint down to the raw timber for repainting. The process will involve cleaning down the frames and repainting with modern paint systems and that’s you for another 5 years or so.

These door systems are usually supplied in a kit for assembly on site. Off the shelf standard versions can be purchased or bespoke made to non standard dimensions. Security is important these days therefore it is a necessary to have the correct locks fitted to the new doors. Insist on the latest patio door locks that are anti tamper type.

Before you decide on what system best fits your needs, make sure you shop about for the best deals offered by the suppliers. Also check online, as most of the suppliers have a web presence offering good value for money packages.

The choice is yours……

Electric garage door opener devices are all the rage these days and most types of doors can be automated however before fitting an opener it’s important that your existing door is in good condition and well balanced. If the door opens in a smooth and easy motion then it is suitable for fitting a garage door opener.

Like many consumer products there are numerous manufacturers of garage door openers operating in the marketplace, each making different type of doors. The types of doors that are available essentially fall under five categories and these are:

• Up and over retractable doors
• Up and over canopy doors
• Sectional over head doors
• Sectional side opening doors
• Hinged doors

If you are not sure on the type of door you have then what follows is a simple guide to identify each of the above types:

Up and Over Retractable Doors

This type of door is quite often fitted, comprising a one piece door panel that retracts completely into the garage space on overhead rails. Strong springs will be attached to the door at the side frame position that assist in the opening and closing of the door panel.

Up and Over Canopy Doors

Again a very popular choice and also comprises a one piece door that opens overhead. However, instead of retracting completely into the garage, a portion of the door, about one third, will stick out beyond the garage front forming a ‘canopy’ overhead, hence the name. The door opening and closing action is assisted by a large spring mounted above the door and the door panel will run on vertical rails mounted on the door frame.

Sectional Over Head Doors

These doors are constructed with individual horizontal panels that are hinged to each other. On the edges of the panels are rollers that run in rails fixed to the door frame and also continue into the garage. The entire door retracts completely into the garage and eventually rests over head.

Sectional Side Opening Doors

This door operates in a similar way to the sectional over head type, except in this instance the door is divided into vertical sections, again hinged to each other. When opening, the line of doors slide to the side and park within the garage space. Sometimes referred to as the “round the corner doors” meaning that they will slide sideways turning at the corner of the garage and slide along a free side wall.

Hinged Doors

These garage doors operate in a similar way to traditional swinging doors. They were the actual original garage door before any automation came about.

Now that you know what type of door you have you can search for a supplier for the most appropriate opener for your situation. The best way, like most consumer products these days, is to search online. There are many manufacturers out there supplying these products, with websites indicating the various options available to meet with your needs. Many of them have contact details if you wish to discuss any of the technical aspects with a sales assistant.

The openers usually come with three garage door opener remote control units that can be shared around the family. These garage door opener remotes send a signal that is identified by the opener device to either open or close the garage door. The remote device can be kept in the car, making the door operation very convenient.

The new garage door opener installation is relatively straight forward however if you are unsure especially dealing with electrics it is best to hire the services of a local tradesman or electrician.

There is one point to consider with up and over type doors. These doors when opening and closing swing outwards beyond the garage front wall in an ark movement. If you usually park the car up close to the garage door, the door panel will knock against the car when the opener is activated. So to protect both car and door, remember to stop the car back a bit from the door.

The choice is yours……

These doors have been about for a long time but are now very fashionable in the home.

No space is required to allow the door to swing as the doors simply slides into a slot in the wall adjacent to the door opening.

Each door can slide into its pocket and left in the open position if required. The sliding doors can be fitted with a self closing device ensuring that the doors automatically close after someone has passed through, much the same as traditional self closing swing doors.

Pocket doors can be divided into five main area and these are:

• Single and double door systems
• Trimless door systems
• Telescopic door systems
• Converging door systems
• Curved sliding door systems

Single and Double Door Systems

A single Pocket door is a great solution for space saving, especially if the room is quite small, for example a Bathroom or Bedroom Ensuite and there literally is no room for swinging type doors. They are very stylish and can blend in even with modern contemporary designs.

Double door arrangements are suited for larger rooms such a Drawing Room or Dining Room. They can even act as a room divider.

Traditional doors can be utilized to match the remaining doors in the house so no need for something completely different. On the other hand an advantage can be taken by highlighting their existence as a bit different from the remaining doors. 

The area behind a traditional door is considered dead space but with interior pocket doors furniture can be placed adjacent to the door opening and it will not be in the way.

As indicated earlier traditional doors can be used but for something really speciall try using full height glass pocket doors either within a frame or frameless.

Sliding gear systems are widely available for every scenario.

These doors when fitted look similar to a hinged door set, including trims and architraves around the opening, so blending in is not a problem. 

Trimless door systems

For the modern contemporary look manufacturers have developed the door system that requires no trims or architraves around the opening. Instead the plastered wall finished terminates at the door opening and that it. Very stylish.

Telescopic door systems

Similar to the two door arrangement except both doors slide into a pocket located on one side. By pulling on the leading door the second follows and eventually both doors cover the opening.

Converging door systems

Two doors positioned in the corner of a room that slide open away from each and at 90 degrees. A fantastic arrangement and very clever design.

Installation 

Installing a pocket door system is easy. The whole system comes in kit form for assembly including the pocket door hardware on site. It can be supplied with or without the door(s). Simple pocket door installation instructions are provided with each kit.

Pocket doors are a great space saving door system that is not only practical but very stylish. 

Photo credits

Johnson Hardware Products

Eclisse Sliding Door Systems

Portman door systems

These people know everything about pocket doors. 

The choice is yours……

The type of door you fit will generally be determined by where the door is fitted in your home. A typical home will consist of a number of doors that lead directly from the exterior to the interior of the property and these are:

• Front and Rear doors
• Store or boiler room doors
• Garage door
• Patio doors
• Exterior French doors
• Sliding doors

Depending on the type of exterior doors you want, there will be a choice from a material and construction point of view.

For the purposes of this article we will concentrate on the main entrance doors.

Front and Rear Doors

Exterior front doors are considered one of the focal points on the front elevation of the home that will set the tone for the remainder of the house. It’s therefore important to give the right impression when visitors call.

The materials used in the manufacturer of these doors include:

• Wood
• Steel
• Composite
• PVC
• Aluminium

Wood exterior doors have been the traditional choice for many years. This versatile material can be made into an almost endless supply of styles and colours. Mahogany is quite often the preferred choice as it is very durable, especially in extreme weather conditions, however other species such oak and walnut are now very popular and an excellent choice for exterior door construction.

Exterior doors manufactured from steel are now commonly used in the home. They were originally used in commercial buildings such as shops and offices. However, exterior steel doors are used more and more in the home these days. Many makers now supply these doors specifically for the domestic market. These exterior metal doors are available with a plain outer finish, which is suitable for commercial use, but versions for the home come in many more styles. These include doors with moulded panels and wood grain effect stamped into the steel outer sheet. The inner core can be insulated for better resistance against heat loss or heat gain. With the combination of a multipoint locking system these doors can be quite strong making the home secure and giving you some peace of mind. 

Example of GRP Wood Grain

A composite door consists of outer skin of glass reinforced plastic with a foam inner core. These doors are nowadays considered a good quality product. Although Fiberglass exterior doors are made using a plastic material they are moulded to incorporate a wood grain effect which is very life like. These doors are only available in a range of rich striking colours. A door made to have a wood grain pattern is not yet possible but this could change in the near future with further development.

PVC doors are everywhere across the country. Many homeowners over the years have replaced their poor fitting, wooden doors with PVC type as they provide a low maintenance service. Unlike a composite door, PVC doors look cheap in comparison even though both are made from a plastic type material.

Aluminium is not often used for the main entrance door and more suited for such doors as sliding or exterior French door sets.

Costs can vary across the country for the various types of doors. As a general rule, composite and wooden doors are the most expensive with PVC and steel in the lower price bracket.

Cost will be a major contributing factor as to what style of doors will be used but there are some other factors that should be considered, such as the security requirements for the doors and the level of maintenance required to keep them in good condition.

Be sure to shop about to obtain the best prices when purchasing. Go online as there are many suppliers out there that allow you to order and have the doors delivered directly to your home ready for fitting. Searching online affords you the possibility of looking at what is on offer from all of the suppliers and manufacturers. If you prefer to see the product at close hand, then try visiting your local store. An added advantage is you can speak with an assistant if you have any queries.

The choice is yours……

Some examples of back door styles

UPVC doors can be purchased off the shelf in a range of standard sizes but more often they are purpose made to suite an existing opening. Purchasing a standard unit would be suitable for new build situation and probably less expensive. The opening in the new structure can be dimensioned to match the new door set. With a door replacement, it’s unlikely that a standard door and frame will fit, therefore a bespoke, made to measure door set will be necessary.

When uPVC doors first came onto the market the only colour available was white. The earlier versions of this product use to fade somewhat after a period of time. Future development of the product solved the fading problem and the white doors and windows now generally stay their white colour. With continued development, other colours became onto the market including imitation wood grain effect in a number of different wood species, such a oak, mahogany, cherry and walnut. These days’ black ash PVC doors and windows can be fitted which are very striking. Earlier versions of black framing also had a tendency to fade but this issue has been largely overcome.

Range of uPVC colors

The best way to purchase UPVC back doors is online. There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of suppliers of these doors with an online presence allowing you to order doors and frames at the press of a button. The price usually includes delivery right to your home. There are even some sites with software that allows you to basically build up on screen the style of door that you want. There are examples of wall finishes that can be selected as a back drop to give you an idea what the new door will look like in your home. These systems even let you pick all the necessary ironmongery including handles, letter plate, door knocker and locks etc. By confirming your order, the new UPVC back door and frame will be constructed to meet with your specification and shipped out. Other suppliers provide a supply and fitting service. The choice is up to you. When ordering these doors make sure to obtain a guarantee – some manufacturers offer quite lengthy periods of cover.

The choice is yours……

So what is mahogany the species? 

Mahogany the word is one term covering many species of timber. It is used when referring to a number of dark woods. There are many species of mahogany and can be broken down into: 

Swietenia Genus – These are considered to be the true mahoganies. They grow mainly in the Central and South America and Caribbean. This group contains four species: 

1. Latin America – Caribbean mahogany referred to as Swietenia mahogani and known as ‘TRUE’ mahogany, Caribbean or Cuban
2. Honduran or the Pacific Coast mahogany referred to as Swietenia Humilis and known as Honduran mahogany
3. Big leaf or big-leafed mahogany referred to as Swietenia Macrophylla found in the Veracruz to Mexico also in Colombia, Bolivia and Peru
4. Venezuelan mahogany referred to as Swietenia Candollei 

Most mahogany used is for the ‘big leaf’ species 

Khaya Genus – These are found in Africa and are considered as a substitute for the TRUE mahogany. Sapele is well known species of African mahogany.   

Mahogany is straight grained with very little voids and pockets. It is ready. easy to work, heavy and long lasting and for these reasons it is used widely in fine furniture and musical instruments. Solid mahogany, like many other hardwoods, is now very expensive in plank format and becoming rare due to over deforestation. For this reason mahogany is now more commonly used in the manufacturer of veneer products. These veneer products have a core of an inferior wood covered with a thin veneer of the mahogany hardwood. The mahogany wood veneers work well with glues in the manufacture of these products. 

Some samples of mahogany doors

Engineered Doors 

Most wooden exterior door types these days are manufactured using an engineered construction. An engineered mahogany exterior door consists of a laminated hardwood core of a lesser quality, overlaid with the finished species wood to build up the structure of the wooden door framing. These engineered doors are generally more stable than solid mahogany exterior doors as they are less prone to warping and twisting. 

Example of laminated engineered door core

If you require additional security from your doors you may be interested in reading the about exterior metal doors and exterior steel doors.

The choice is yours……

It is estimated that over 20 million uPVC front doors have been installed in the UK over the years. Almost all of these front doors are fitted with key cylinders known a ‘Euro profile key cylinders’. Many of these upvc front door designs as part of the overall locking device are fitted with a multi point locking systems. 

A multi point locking system on a uPVC front door consists of a metal strip on the edge of the door containing a number of protruding locking points that when activated will engage with keepers on the frame to secure the door. The locking system could consist of at least 6 or more of these points which are activated usually by lifting the level handle upwards. The key cylinder is turned to complete the locking procedure. 

The following diagram is an illustration of the various locking points found on a multi point locking system.

Types of locking points on multi point locking systems

The multi point locking system when activated can be effective in securing the uPVC doors, however it can be completely let down by the key cylinder itself. 

Older Euro cylinders typically fitted to PVC front doors, UPVC French doors and uPVC patio doors contained an inherent flaw. It became widely known that burglars could easily bypass these cylinders in seconds gaining access to the inner workings of the door locking system and opening the door. The most popular method employed by burglars is known as snapping. The process involves basically snapping the end of the cylinder and ripping out the rest of the unit. This attack could be carried out with a few common tools found in most households in seconds. Quite often cylinders have been replaced due to lost keys with a new cylinder of the incorrect size i.e. the length. The end of the longer cylinder now protruding much more than necessary give the attacker additional area to grip the end of the cylinder and snap it off. It is recommended that the cylinder should not protrude any more than 2-3mm.

Example of a extra long protruding Euro cylinder

UPVC front doors were the answer, a weather proof door which does not rot, absorb moisture, warp, twist and fits correctly every time. They have come although a long way since they first came out - the locking systems, thermal insulation, weather proofing and anti fading have improved considerably over the years. 

There is range of PVC front doors styles available on the market today is almost endless. The range includes a framed door with glass panels or insulated decorative panels or a combination of both. The glass panels is usually a double glazed unit and the insulated solid panels consist of moulded inner and outer skin with a foam inner core between. 

Quite often these doors are purpose made to suit the structural opening and they can be installed by the supplier or installed by you. They come complete with frame, handles, locking system and letter plate ready for installation. 

If you are looking for a new uPVC door set the following specification would be typical:

• Door framing 70 mm thick pre-hung into frame
• Steel reinforcement all round
• Double weather seals
• Multi point locking system including level handles (handles white, black or brass coloured)
• Cylinders must be anti bump, anti drill, anti snap and anti pick type with three keys
• Letter plate 
• Three adjustable door hinges incorporating stainless steel pins
• Glass panels – 28mm (4mm glass – 20mm air gap – 4mm glass) thick double glazed units
• All glazing beads internal for added security

Some examples of UPVC doors

The standard colour is white pvc front doors but other colours such a brown pvc front doors and black pvc front doors are available as well. PVC front doors in wood grain effect are nowadays very popular (see colour range below).

Range of uPVC colours

How to Measure the Existing Structural Opening 

There are numerous manufacturers that will provide you with a door and frame on a supply basis only. 

To measure the existing door opening follow these simple instructions:

Larger size openings than the maximum dimensions will involve a side panel (see example above). 

Door Locking Systems 

There are many types of locking systems available of the market so be aware of the options available for your new uPVC front door.

Sometimes higher security is required and a PVC door cannot come up to this standard. A security door is not just for the business premises. There are now a full range of exterior metal doors nowadays suitable for domestic home use. Steel security doors will offer much better security to protect your property and the occupants from unwanted guests.

For a related subject read all you need to know about PVC French doors or maybe you want a new set of uPVC patio doors.

As an alternative to a PVC type door consider a composite door. It’s probably more expensive but a quality product nonetheless.

The choice is yours……

Examples of internal white doors

The above example provides for the new door, level handles and hinges for about £42 per door. The cost does not include for fitting. 

Construction  

White panelled doors are made from MDF (medium density fibreboard) pressed to form the panels and wood grain effect. The cheaper doors consist of a type of hollow core construction, comprising a honeycomb of paper, making the door very lightweight. These light weight doors however can be penetrated with a medium impact force. If you require a more robust door, the same door types are available with foam or solid wood core filling, making them heavier. 

Most door styles have a wood grain effect finish but they can be purchased in a smooth flat surface. These doors are usually supplied primed for painting on site. If preferred, and at additional cost, pre-finished doors are available and after fitting you are finished – no painting required. 

As cheap interior wooden doors go these doors are the perfect choice.

There may be instances that building code requires that some doors in certain locations be designated as internal fire doors. If you decide to replace all the doors within your home be sure to check out if any of the existing doors are classed as fire doors. If so, your new door selection should incorporate the same grading where appropiate.

If you are able to increase the budget then try out oak interior doors. The grain pattern provided by oak wood is just beautiful. Another possibility is internal glass doors. There is a great variety of all these door types available on the market to choose from. 

Something else to consider:

Are you having any trouble with mosquitoes and flies coming into your home then fit a screen door?

If it’s time to replace your front door and want a door that requires very little maintenance then consider a composite door.

The choice is yours……