Experience on bifold doors

[NickB_99]

Hello all,

I'm after some feedback on return of experience for getting bifold doors fitted.

I'm waiting for a couple of quotes to come back in, but I've some recommendation for aluminium and some for uPVC.

I was wondering if there are pitfalls to be aware of with either?
e.g. any recommended brands? questions I should be asking the company to ensure the product is good? etc

I'm guessing wood is an option also, but Alu and uPVC seemed to be the preference offered.

Thanks!

 

[Gazman16]

As A fitter I would always go for Ali on Bi folds.

There is a good thread with pics and comments here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/...Bi-folding+doors+-+Any+Recommendations?&mid=0

 

[s60tsy]

ali will be quite a bit dearer, upvc is pretty chunky so less glazed area. check what guarantee is given and which glass is used

 

[carl24bpool]

As another fitter I would go with Aluminium and most systems are fairly good. I've used Smarts and Schucho.

Aluminium tends to be better as it is a lot more rigid than PVC so lends itself better to a folding doors which can't really afford to be dropping and bending out of shape over time.

Aluminium also expands and contracts much less than PVC in hot / cold conditions. Imagine a 6 panel bifold and each panel expands 1.5mm on a warm day. Thats 9mm by the time youre at the last door. This can cause major issues opening and closing on sunny days.

I hope this helps.

Just ask if you need further details. I was a senior manager for one of the UK's largest manufacturers of bifold doors so I could bore you all day long.

 

[Gazman16]

Has anyone actually got a definitive guide on the expansion rates?

I came across a website a few years ago that had the linear expansion of PVC, Ali and a few types of wood together (wish I had bookmarked the page )

Im fairly sure PVC was 1.6mm per meter but I think the site said both Ali and wood expanded more (Ali was about 1.8mm per meter).

Either way Ali is still best for Bi folds I would say due to it being more ridged with all the moving parts.