Bifolding doors have become increasingly popular and fashionable in homes throughout the UK, and they are an excellent way to maximise the natural light in your home, and better than sliding doors. Bifold doors can help unite your home and garden and expand your useable living space. When you look at the different options available for bifold doors, you will see many options available, with options to suit most tastes and budgets.
The Different Materials Options
One of the first decisions you must make when looking at bifold doors is the material you will use for the frames. Your choice of material can impact your bifold doors’ overall cost, aesthetics, and efficiency, and you want to select one that will complement your home and its styling. Some of the most common materials for bifolding doors include:
uPVC Bifold Doors: uPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride) is one of the most affordable options for the frames of your bifold doors. Bifold doors with uPVC frames are a cost-effective solution that is highly resistant to weather and requires minimal upkeep and maintenance. While they may not be as luxurious as other materials, such as aluminium, they are a practical choice for many homeowners.
Timber Bifold Doors: If you are looking for a classic aesthetic for your home, timber framed bifold doors are an excellent choice. They are more expensive than uPVC, but the wood’s natural grain can add character to your home. They are also highly thermal efficient, but the one drawback is they will require regular maintenance to keep them looking in excellent condition.
Aluminium Bifold Doors: When you want a sleek and modern appearance for your home, aluminium is an excellent material to consider, such as what is on offer from Origin bifold doors. Aluminium will cost more than uPVC, but it can last many years and require little maintenance. The frames can also have slimmer profiles, allowing for more glass, enhancing your view and making them the perfect choice for your home.
Composite Bifold Doors: Composite bifold doors can be another excellent choice, as these can combine the best features of timber, uPVC, and aluminium. They can offer you a suitable compromise between aesthetics, thermal efficiency, and required maintenance level and can be an excellent choice, giving you the best of all worlds.
The Glazing Options
Once you have decided on your preferred frames for your bifold doors, you can turn your attention to the glazing, and you can consider various options available. Selecting the correct glazing option for your home is vital to creating the aesthetic you want, and it can also help make your home more thermally efficient and reduce energy bills. Some of the best glazing options are as follows:
Double Glazing: A standard option for many people when installing bifold doors is double glazing. Two sheets of glass are placed together with a small gap between them, often filled with the gas Argon. The glazing offers excellent thermal and acoustic insulation, making it one of the most common choices for all types of windows throughout the UK.
Triple Glazing: If you want additional thermal insulation for your property, you can also consider triple-glazed windows for your bifold doors. These are the same as double-glazed windows but have three layers of glass, offering additional acoustic insulation. They are an excellent option for homes in extremely cold or noisy environments, making your home feel warm and cosy.
Low-E Glass: Another glazing option you can consider, which is highly thermally efficient, is low-emissivity (Low-E) glass. The glass has a special coating that will reflect heat into your home and prevent it from escaping. It will help keep your home warm and toasty during winter, making it much more comfortable for you and your family.
Frosted/Decorative Glass: You can use frosted or decorative glass panels in your bifold doors if privacy concerns you. These glass panels can add a decorative element to your home and allow plenty of light while restricting people from looking into your home.
Opening Configurations
You will also need to decide on the configuration for your bifold doors and how you want them to work. There are various configurations available, such as:
Full Opening: The doors will open fully, giving you a seamless transition between the outside and inside of your home.
A Traffic Door: You can also have a traffic door within your bifold doors that you can open as a normal door. It means you do not have to open the bifold doors fully when you want to get in and out.
Split Opening: In this configuration, you can split the bifold doors into two sections, each folding in opposite directions. It can be practical for smaller spaces.
These are some of the primary choices you have when selecting bifold doors for your home, but there are others, such as colour and security features, you must consider. Whatever you decide, you will love having these doors installed in your home, and they will be a welcome addition when it is summer.