Bi-folding Door Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The doors should be internally glazed to increase security, ensuring there is no access to the beads from outside the property. However, you must check before you buy as some companies still externally bead.

Yes they are easy to install with full instructions. Any competent fitter will be able to make an excellent job of fitting Bi-folds. All of the hard work is carried out in the manufacturing stages at the factory. However not all installers provide guarantees or FENSA Certification, so you should always check.

Generally Aluminium or UPVC Bi-fold doors can be made to open inwards or outwards, the choice is yours, however it is recommended that UPVC only opens inwards.

Aluminium Bi-folding doors are purpose made from a drawing board to be a Bi-fold door whereas the UPVC bi-folds use certain parts of the standard UPVC high security Residential doors which is why the UPVC Bi-folds are slightly cheaper than its Aluminium counterpart. Although UPVC bi-fold doors work and are widely used they have exposed hinges face fixed on the outside of the doors making them an obvious security risk. Aluminium doors are slimmer than UPVC due to Aluminium's greater strength like-for-like, therefore you can maximise the glass area of the doors. UPVC Bi-folds expand in the heat much more than Aluminium Bi-folds. Individual Aluminium doors have a maximum width capability of 1200mm whereas UPVC has a maximum width ability of 800mm. Aluminium has a maximum height advantage of 3000mm against UPVC being only capable of 2400mm. Aluminium has a choice of over 100 RAL colours whereas UPVC has a choice of up to 8 colours. Aluminium doors can have level (15mm, sunk into the floor) walk-through thresholds, whereas UPVC cannot as the threshold is a minimum of 51mm.

Both Aluminium and UPVC Bi-folding doors have a choice of 'low thresholds' or standard fully rebated thresholds. The difference between the two is that with a fully rebated standard threshold it offers severe weather rating whereas the low threshold does not ... it in effect offers excellent weather protection but is not recommended for areas of severe exposure. Both offer great weather protection for all areas of the UK. The low threshold option obviously offers the facility of level walk through from inside to outside of your property and can also be used as a division between your house and conservatory.

Many Aluminium and UPVC Bi-folds offer the very latest technology in secure locking systems on the market today. And many are internally glazed with safety glass as standard. But you must always check.

Both Aluminium and UPVC Bi-folds are very low maintenance. Both require regular lubrication and checking once a year or whenever the need arises.