What to consider before choosing Bi-folding Doors

There’s a lot more to consider than you’d have thought! Here’s a useful list of things you should be thinking about and looking into when buying folding sliding doors (bi-fold doors):

• The architecture of the building and the type of project will have a large influence on the doors you choose

• Take into account what available ie materials, colour and finishes

• Think about opening sizes including height, width and depth. New build projects, renovations and extensions, for example, will allow for the homeowner and architect to draw up plans to incorporate the exact opening size at planning stage. However replacement doors would be influenced by an already established opening size

Bi-folding doors as a complete sliding corner system
- possible because of the building structure

• Building support and whether top or bottom running tracks are best. Bottom running tracks are usually best for standard heights (ie up to 2350mm) as they do not require such a hefty lintel at the top of the opening (this is a cheaper option). Top hung are usually recommended where doors are needed to be much taller ie up to 3000mm

• The surrounding area ie is it a conservation area or is the building listed. Your choice of material could be required to fit with the surrounding area for example

• Choosing the right type of doors is also important, for example in some instances folding sliding doors wouldn’t be an option if folding stacking space was limited or could be obstructed. Sliding doors are always an alternative as allow for wider panel widths minimising frame sightlines however these will only allow for half of the opening width. Folding sliding doors stack to leave a full and complete opening

• Which way does the property face? If you want to make the most of the open living experience then your doors are best to be south facing

• Where is the property? Do you need added protection against bad weather. Sunfold Systems offers marine treatments to protect against coastal environments along with severe weather rated seals and gaskets

• What sort of home are you creating? Are the doors more for aesthetics or does the home need to be super sustainable. Quality doors will always meet the required government standards but options to enhance U-values will be available

• Will the door system need to be straight, cornered or curved (faceted) to accommodate the building design

Faceted bi-folding doors used for curved buildings

• Time scales are important. To ensure delivery of bespoke doors to meet with project deadlines it is advisable to order at an early stage. If they are ready before the project is ready the doors should be able to be held in the supplier’s warehouse, however, if they are not given the required time frame the project could be held up

• Check to see if the doors will require any upkeep or maintenance. The material chosen will play a large part.