Bi-Folding Doors, advice needed!!

[Anna27]

Were renovating our kitchen in a house we just bought in Nunhead, our first proper family home! and urgently need some advice on Bi-Folding exterior doors, were thinking solid oak or Grey Aluminium.

All advice and experiences with these products would be really helpful, along with suppliers. Just started researching and I'm at a bit of a loss, there are so many on the market!

Many thanks....

[Senor Chevalier]

Hi Anna

We had Bifold doors fitted about 4 years ago and learned a few lessons in the process...

Firstly they are quite expensive if you want decent ones. We went for a cheap option that our builder supplied and they never worked that well.

There are lots of systems out there, some top hung, some with the weight on the runner at the bottom. There seem to be ever more companies that supply them. I would suggest you start with a structural engineer. Assuming you are increasing the size of the opening, you will need a steel beam across the opening if the masonary can take it (or steel picture frame if it can't). Your engineer may be able to advise on the various systems and which to choose, or if you send him the products you are thinking about then he can look at the detail.

Things to look for:

1) Light easy to open (top hung better for this I think) only real way to try this is at a showroom.

2) Low profile handles allowing stacking Flush (you want the doors to stack neatly back on themselves taking up the minimum of space when fully opened so make sure the handles do not get in the way of this by banging into each other or the frame of other door panels when fully open)

3) Level Thresholds (if you want inside and outside at the same level without a cill to trip over then this gets tricky - you need a solution to prevent damp bridging as usually there is a step down to outside with an air brick under your floor level. Answer is a concealed (ACO type) drain to ensure water does not come in - this is quite involved but door suppliers should have a standard detail on this that your builders can follow (attached a sketch so you can see what I mean - not for you to use as depends on the system / situation).

4) You may also need to get building regs approval for your renovations so there are heat losses to look into that can dictate the spec of the glass you need.

The best supplier I found was Cantifix http://www.cantifix.co.uk/ - I dismissed them as the quote seemed too high but if I was doing it again I'd use them. They use Schuco doors (German) which are supposed to be the best - you may be able to find other companies that use the same system.

Another company I like the look of is http://www.cedarbifoldcompany.com/

Note I have not tried either of them as I got cheap and nasty ones...Otherwise there are lots of other options so get a few quotes and compare.

Also if you stick to standard sizes (particularly height) then you may get a cheaper solution. I seem to remember that heights above 250cm cost more when I got my quotes though this may have increased in the last few years.

Good luck.

[Alan Dale]

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[Anna27]

That really was a great post! thanks for all the info it really helps to get first hand advice, I too think it might be better going for a more expensive system that will stand he test of time.

Another German company I came across was Kloeber.co.uk have you heard of them? no quotes yet but will keep you posted ....

thanks again.

[Anna27]

On closer inspection I don't think they are German!

[Senor Chevalier]

Had seen Kloeber advertised. Was actually looking for them when I did my original post as I couldn't recall the name. Think they're probably as good as any - best thing would be to get to a show room or better a grand designs trade fair or something where you could see them and others in action.

[tllm2]

We used Apropos and whilst happy with the product ......... a word of warning, be very clear from the start about the interface between your builder and door suppliers/fitters ..........

http://www.apropos-conservatories.com/

We came unstuck and at one point neither builder nor Apropos considered themselves responsible for the fit ...... and for example whether it was even water tight ...............

[Marcus]

We have some bi-fold doors from Magnet. I wouldn't generally choose Magnet as a supplier of choice for anything, but our builder suggested them, and having been down to the Old Kent Road showroom to check them out, we decided to go ahead. A friend of mine chose them as well for their kitchen, and she's an interior designer working for Norman Foster no less (oooh!). Worth checking out, unless you are going for a far smarter, more design lead, much more expensive option.

[jimmyraj]

I bought mine from Wickes, which my builder installed. Can't recommend them enough - really good quality, and great fittings on them. Definitely worth a look - much better than equivalents I saw in other DIY / timber places.

[Anna27]

Great thanks everyone! think I'm going to have to check them out in person..

[EDdownunder]

We used UK Bi Fold after much research. Our architect and builder recommended them and even though they are not the cheapest we are really pleased with their product. Really easy to open, smooth and guaranteed for 10 years with a yearl service thrown in.

We went for black frame and it looks very amazing in our white kitchen.

[Anna27]

What company did you use? thanks

[Ruffler]

Another company to consider is http://www.foldingslidingdoors.com We had folding sliding patio doors made by them a few years back and they still look great. They're also British and a more economical option compared to similar German/Scandinavian manufacturers.

[Heritage]

As a supplier at Heritage installations I can definately say that there is a huge difference in quality, we used to supply the Smart system but have now moved to the more advanced Schuco ASS70FD system for the following reasons:

Schuco have the highest u value

Door frame widths are only 70mm which are the most slimline available

Each door leaf can reach 1.3m wide or 3.0m high

All tracking and furniture is of commercial build guaranteeing long reliability

As this product is of the highest quality, it is obviously not the cheapest, but you undoubtedly get the best product available on the market.

[Anna27]

thanks

[Anna27]

it's a typical victorian terrace with the kitchen at the back of the property opening onto the garden, the opening is going to have to be quite small as we have kitchen units either side, so a max of 180cm for the opening just about enough for the three doors! In this case would wooden ones be better, has anyone had issues with the upkeep of them? also can anyone recommend a showroom nearby? thanks again

[waynetta]

IF you have a squeaking door, leave the house and walk fifty yards down the street. From this distance it is unlikely you will be able to hear it.

[Kingy]

Do Bi-Folding Doors swing both ways ?

[bp]

Why not go for frameless glass doors instead? There are 2 companies that make double glazed versions in the UK.

framelessglassdoorsuk.co.uk (Bedfordshire) and framelessglasscurtains.co.uk (Kent)

[bp]

have you considered FRAMELESS glass doors? sunseekerdoors do both frameless and grey aluminium - you could ask them for comparative quotes.

[Cantifix]

Hi Anna,

If you are still looking for bi-folding doors, just to let you know that you can get a quote online for supply only doors at www.cantifixdirect.co.uk

Our doors are the Shuco systems mentioned by Senor Chevalier above, which are top quality and come with a 10 year guarantee.

One thing to consider when deciding whether or not to go for the cheap option is heat loss. Some cheaper doors are made with low spec glass, and a less effective thermal break (non heat-conductive section between aluminium). Our doors are made with premium low-energy glass, which means that you will lose as little heat through them as possible, and therefore miminise your heating costs.

Our doors are top hung for easy opening, and are available with a flush threshold (as described by Senor Chevalier). We have a showroom in North West London, and can easily arrange visits.

There is a lot of information out there, so if you need anything explained in more detail, please feel free to give us a call on 020 8203 9203 and we will be happy to help.

Good luck with whatever you decide to go for!

Cantifix

[jennyh]

we had some doors fitted along with a glass wall, roof and some sliding doors and found that going to companies who normally do commercial fits were much much cheaper than people like apropos or sun fold (although this may be mainly been down to the need for the roof.

We found a company called MS Aluminium who were based up in Berkshire who mainly did larger jobs but were happy to do a residential job - again this may have been down the the fact we did quite a few jobs, but they may consider doing onee-off sets of doors.

Only advice we'd give when considering how they fit is that when diong measurements for the gap you need to have filled by doors, is to specify how much of that space needs to be the actual doors them selves and how much should be frame or panelling (especially at the top of the doors.) Also, if getting bespoke doors made, be prepared for the door company to have to take final, precise measurements of the space for the frame, which may needed to be boarded over for a few days. Also, do pay attention to the thermal values of the class & framework as they do make a difference in both the hot and cold!

Hope this is of some use and not just rambling!

JH

[bp]

Update on Sunseeker Doors - they manufacture bi folding and frameless double glazed fully retractable doors. Bifolds are available from their trade site if you want to save money and do it yourself. Websites are www.sunseekerdoors.co.uk and www.sunseekertradebifolds.co.uk

Regarding durability, we've had their bifolds for 4 or 5 years now and they are still great. We chose doors with the integral blinds option (expensive but worth it).

[BiFoldDoors]

The best thing about having a bi fold door at home is that it doesn't take up too much space and since it is foldable you can easily fold it. Decide on which type of material your door is made of before you buy it...

[BristolBifold]

There are a lot of benefits to bifold doors, and once they're fitted they look fantastic..but be careful when choosing an installer. Make sure they are a bifold specialist - ie. not a window and door company that have decided to also fit bifold doors as they are becoming more fashionable. You want a fitter that is specifically trained to fit bifold doors - especially if they are bespoke. Hope this helps! Please msg me if you want any other bifold door questions answered! Or have a look at my blog - I try and answer all customer queries on here - www.bristol-bifold.co.uk/blog

Chloe.