What’s the best material for bi-folding doors?

Posted on 24th May 2024

When it comes to selecting bi-folding door materials, homeowners are spoilt for choice. But with so many options available, one question frequently pops up: what is the best material for bi-folding doors? At Southeast Doors Online, we understand how important choosing the right material is to complement your home’s style while delivering durability and energy efficiency. Backed by over 35 years of experience, we can safely say that one bi-folding door material emerges as a clear winner – aluminium. In this blog post, we’ll explore the world of bi-folding doors including what they are, why aluminium is the best material and the benefits that it can deliver to your home.

South East Doors Online has amassed over 35 years of experience in the double-glazing industry. We know how important your home improvements are to you, so we are on hand with premium quality aluminium bi-fold doors. We manufacture, supply and install our market-leading bi-fold doors and offer our product in various colours and finishes. Get in touch with us today for more information.

What are bi-folding doors?

Before we look at bi-folding door materials, it’s important to understand what bi-folding doors are and how they work. Our premium aluminium bi-folding doors comprise multiple panels which seamlessly fold aside to create an effortless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. This innovative construction allows the panels to pivot and fold smoothly along a track when opened. For homes where space is tight or for areas where swinging or sliding doors aren’t practical, bi-folding doors provide a smart solution. Our high-performance aluminium bi-fold doors are the ideal way to open up your home and bring the outside in. What’s more, they also boast outstanding reliability, weather resistance, performance and thermal efficiency.

Key Features of Our Aluminium Bi-Folding Doors

  • Made in the UK. Superbly engineered, they are designed to fit almost any opening size.
  • Wide range of door opening configurations, with 700mm to 1200mm door widths.
  • Sleek, contemporary designs with aesthetic lines that will suit any home style.
  • Made to measure to give a perfect fit.
  • Modern, sleek, contemporary designs.
  • High-security locking mechanisms.
  • Easy and smooth opening and closing operation.
  • Low maintenance.
  • 1 – 7 Door options (Max opening width 7000mm).
  • Choice of threshold furniture colour.
  • Standard colours white grey & black.
  • Bespoke RAL colours are available.

Manufactured in our factory in Gillingham and delivered in our vans, we offer the best bi-folding doors. For more information about our bi-folding doors, don’t hesitate to contact us today.

What’s the best material for bi-folding doors?

As mentioned, there is a range of quality materials available for bi-folding door manufacture including aluminium, timber, uPVC and composite. Let’s take a closer look at each option…

  • Aluminium – The Premium Choice

Aluminium is the premium material choice for modern bi-folding doors and is popular among many home and property owners. Aluminium bi-folding doors are known for their strength, durability, slim profiles, and thermal efficiency. What’s more, aluminium bi-folding doors offer a sleek and contemporary look that can elevate any home.

  • Timber

For those seeking a warm and traditional aesthetic, timber is a great material for bi-folding doors. Often selected for period or historic properties, timber bi-folding doors offer a charming and timeless appeal to any home. However, they require more maintenance and upkeep than aluminium bi-folding doors, which remain a low-maintenance option.

  • uPVC

uPVC is a popular choice for those looking for budget bi-folding doors as they are an affordable and low-maintenance option. uPVC bi-folding doors are also versatile and available in many colours. However, as with any purchase, what you pay for is what you get and uPVC doesn’t offer the same levels of durability or appeal as aluminium.

  • Composite

Composite bi-folding doors are some of the most expensive doors on the market which means that you’ll have to work the expense into your budget. They use a blend of aluminium and timber to provide a strong and durable bi-folding door option. However as mentioned, you will pay a premium for the luxury.

As you can see, aluminium is the leading material for bi-folding doors – but what makes it so popular? Read on to find out why aluminium is the best bi-folding door material.

Why Aluminium is the Best Bi-folding Door Material

When selecting the material for your bi-folding door installation, aluminium emerges as a leading choice for many compelling reasons. Here’s why aluminium bi-folding doors might be the perfect choice for your property.

  • Strength & Durability

Aluminium bi-folding doors boast outstanding strength and durability that is a powerful addition to any property. Aluminium is known to withstand the elements, impact and more which makes it a fantastic option for external doors. Additionally, unlike timber bi-folding doors which may succumb to warping and rot over time, and uPVC which may crack or discolour, aluminium retains its look and function for years.

  • Slim & Contemporary Profiles

Unlike timber, composite and uPVC bi-folding doors, aluminium bi-folds have much slimmer frames. Aluminium is a highly strong material which achieves better results with less material surrounding the glass. This means that bi-folding doors afford you the luxury of having abundant natural light and expansive, uninterrupted views from the comfort of your living room, conservatory, or kitchen without compromising their structure or resilience.

  • Energy Efficient

Our aluminium bi-folding doors are equipped with thermal break technology and high-quality seals which work to reduce heat transfer. As they are designed with energy efficiency in mind, you can enjoy bi-folding doors that keep your home warm in the winter and cool during the summer months. This can significantly reduce the cost of your energy bills and lower your carbon footprint!

  • Complete Customisation

Unlike other bi-folding door materials, our aluminium bi-folding doors are available in a huge range of styles, configurations and colours. This means that you can tailor and customise your bi-folding doors to suit your bespoke specifications. Whether you want to make a statement with a bold colour or prefer a more sleek and modern look, we’re confident you’ll find what you need.

  • Low Maintenance

Aluminium bi-folding doors require very little maintenance to keep them looking as good as new. Compare this to timber doors, which require regular painting or staining, aluminium bi-folding doors simply need to be cleaned occasionally to keep them looking their best. Additionally, they remain resistant to rust, corrosion and harsh weather conditions for a longer-lasting and easy-to-maintain option.

Bi-Fold Door Designer

Use our Aluminium Bi-Fold Door Designer to try out different ways to configure your bi-fold doors. The prices shown will change with your selections. Please get in touch with us if you have any queries and we will help you design the perfect aluminium door set for your home. Once you have decided on your doors, we’ll finalise the price for you and arrange delivery.

How To Design Your Bifold Doors

Measuring For Your Bifolding Doors

From outside. Measure the width of the aperture in at least three different places, usually the top, middle and bottom. Take the smallest measurement and deduct 10mm to obtain the width of your door. Measure the height of the aperture in at least three places, usually the left, middle and right, take the smallest measurement and deduct 10mm to obtain the height of your door.

Pick the Configuration

Bifold configuration options

Open Direction & Slide Direction

The next step is to choose if your doors fold inwards or outwards and if your door slides left or right.

Select External Colour

You will then choose the colour you want your door to be on the outside. You can choose from Anthracite Grey, Signal White and Black.

Select Glass

You will then choose a glazing option: Standard or Low-E glass.

Integral Blinds

Integral blinds are permanently sealed between the two glazing panes, meaning they stay dust-free and out of harm’s way. Integrated blinds are the ultimate in convenience, style, privacy and glare prevention. At this stage, you can choose to order integrated blinds with your doors, choosing from several colour options.

Select Handle & Hinge Colour

The next step will be to choose the colour of your handles and hinges. You can choose from White, Chrome and Black.

Final Step

The final step will be to complete information regarding your bi-folding doors’ threshold, cills, trickle vents and any add-ons you may want to include.

Once you have completed all sections and have submitted your selections, we will provide you with a quote tailored to your bespoke bifolding door requirements.

Experience the Benefits of Aluminium Bi-folding Doors For Yourself…

Choosing your bi-folding door material is a personal decision that will impact the aesthetics, functionality and longevity of your installation. Aluminium consistently emerges as a leading bi-folding door material for many reasons. From providing elevated energy efficiency and delivering complete comfort to your home to offering a range of customisation options and unparalleled, uninterrupted views, the benefits of aluminium bi-folding doors speak for themselves and it’s clear to see why aluminium is favoured among homeowners and designers alike.

Discover the transformative benefits that aluminium bi-folding doors can deliver to your home and let South East Doors Online be your trusted partner as you do so. We can unlock a world of possibilities and manufacture and install a living space that truly reflects your lifestyle and preferences. Use our Aluminium Bi-Fold Door Designer to try out different ways to configure your bi-fold doors, but please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions About Aluminium Bifold Doors

How much do aluminium bifold doors cost?

Every project we work on is unique to each client. Therefore, the cost of bespoke aluminium bifolding doors will vary. Get in touch with us today for a quote.

Can bifold doors be customised to fit unique architectural designs?

We offer bespoke, high-performing aluminium bifolding doors which meet a range of client specifications.

How often do aluminium bifolding doors need maintenance?

Aluminium bifold doors are a low-maintenance option for your property and regular cleaning can easily preserve their function and appearance.

Are bifolding doors energy-efficient?

Yes, our aluminium bifolding doors feature premium thermal properties which contribute to energy efficiency.

Is aluminium recyclable?

Yes, aluminium is 100% recyclable, making it an environmentally sustainable choice. With environmental concerns at the forefront of society, we deliver architectural solutions that contribute to the sustainability of our world and urge our clients to do the same.

Do aluminium bifold doors provide noise reduction?

Yes, the structural integrity of aluminium contributes to effective noise reduction.

Can aluminium bifold doors be coloured?

Yes, our aluminium bifolding doors offer an extensive range of configurations, styles, RAL colours and finishes. This allows homeowners to tailor their aluminium bi-fold doors to their specific preferences, style tastes and architectural requirements.

How long does it take to install aluminium bifold doors?

The length of time for aluminium bifolding door installation will vary depending on your requirements. We take care to minimise disruption throughout the process for your satisfaction.

Why choose South East Doors Online?

South East Doors Online has been in the glazing industry for over 30 years. The double glazing industry has evolved tremendously in that time, and we’ve been excited to be part of it. Our experience has shown us that customers have become more educated and discerning about their products. If you are looking for quality door fitters in Kent, South East Doors is your business!

We now offer our clients the absolute best aluminium, high-security glazing products the industry offers. Aluminium bifolding doors look and feel great, operate smoothly, and are easy to install.

Our staff are highly experienced and have excellent product knowledge. We will help you with your questions about choosing the right bi-folding doors for your home. We offer fast delivery times and use our fleet of vans to ensure the products are delivered to your home or site in perfect condition. What’s more, a 10-year guarantee covers all products for your peace of mind.

Are you ready to elevate your home with aluminium bi-folding doors? If so, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with South East Doors Online today! With our expert guidance and unparalleled craftsmanship, you can unlock a world of possibilities and create a living space that truly reflects your lifestyle and preferences.

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