Some Facts You Should Know Before Buying a Bi-Fold
Our customers say our bi-folds are a superb product but also good value - offering style, quality and security at a competitive price. If you are looking at bi-folds from other suppliers please familiarise yourself with the key points we think you need to consider before buying.
Comparing Bolt-on Tracks and Concealed Tracks
The following diagrams show a side on view of typical bi-folding doors. The last pictures show the style of bi-fold we would recommend.
BOLT ON TRACK - TRACK INSIDE HOUSE
Panels roll on an track that is "bolted on" to the outerframe.
- Door has untidy appearance
- Door has a high threshold - meaning you need to step over it
- Door has large front-back measurement making them look bulky
BOLT ON TRACK - TRACK OUTSIDE OF HOUSE
If a door that is designed for open-in is fitted turned around, then the track is exposed to weather and the dirt build up will prevent the doors from operating correctly.
- Door will not operate smoothly
- Door has untidy appearance
- Door has a high threshold - meaning you need to step over it
- Door has large front-back measurement making them look bulky
CONCEALED TRACK (STANDARD THRESHOLD) ON OUR ALUMINIUM BI-FOLDING DOORS
Our aluminium bi-folds have a concealed track. This has many advantages including:
- Track cannot be removed - highly secure
- The doors have a clean, smooth appearance as there are not extra "bolt-ons" (see how the vertical lines of the sash line up with the verticals of the outerframe).
- Standard threshold (pictured) provides optimal weather performance.
- Standard threshold (pictured) with open-out doors gives it further security as doors rest against upstand when pushed from the outside.
- A low threshold is also available for flush fitting.
CONCEALED TRACK (LOW THRESHOLD) ON OUR ALUMINIUM BI-FOLDING DOORS
Our aluminium bi-folds have a concealed track. This has many advantages including:
- Track cannot be removed - highly secure
- The doors have a clean, smooth appearance as there are not extra "bolt-ons" (see how the vertical lines of the sash line up with the verticals of the outerframe).
- With the low threshold (pictured) there is minimal step-over required.
Note: - above drawings have been modified to improve clarity and are not exact representations of the systems - but are similar.
Showrooms
We have showrooms so come and see and use the product before you buy. We think this is very important on an expensive item like a bi-fold. Our showrooms also show lots of our other products which compliment the folding doors. If you visit us you will not recieve the hard sell, you will be left to peruse the showrooms at your own leasure, TOUCH, FEEL and be provided with information and advice on any of our products. If you visit we would be delighted to give you a tour of our factories and show you products simliar to yours being manufactured. Call Linda now on
Fitting
We can either offer supply only or supply and fit. For supply and fit we have a countrywide network of 4,500+ accredited customers. In the intrest of helping out Trade customers we now provide additional support for those who wish to have a folding door fitted or require on site training to get them started with fitting folding doors. More information on our fitting and training service »
U.K. Made
We pride ourselves on making our bi-folds ourselves in our own factories. Making the doors ourselves means we guarantee quality and short lead times (around two to three weeks).
Made to Measure
We do not offer standard sizes, ALL OF OUR DOORS ARE MADE TO MEASURE.
Outward or Inward Opening Doors
80% of the doors we sell open outwards, however there are cheaper doors on the market that only open in. Open in will normally take up valuable room space - hence why most of ours open outwards. Because some companies only sell open in doors they are sometimes tempted to turn the door around to make it open out - you should not do this as the security of the door will become very poor, plus any external tracks that would have been internal will now get subjected to dirt and rain. Another consideration for open-in doors is that they may interfere with blinds or curtains.
Strength
The aluminium profile along with the multi-point locking and floating mullions make these an extremely strong door.
Ease of Use
Our doors are some of the easiest to slide and fold - this is due to their ingenious design using "our ‘floating mullions’ and the high quality parts used. Fitted correctly these doors are a joy to use and despite their weight they can slide using the force of a single finger. The NEW 'Continental' Bi-fold has no ‘floating mullions’ and instead uses four stainless steel wheels esuring smooth and consistent operation. Again, please come to our showrooms and see for yourselves.
We Didn't Start Yesterday !
We have been making aluminium windows and doors since 1985 and bi-folds since 2003. We have around 4,500 customers, 10 vehicles and 10 factory units.
You Get What You Pay For
We believe you get what you pay for. Our products are designed to give years of great service and enjoyment. We know you will not be replacing your doors for many years - so it makes sense to get a good quality door.
Aluminium - Why not PVC ?
What many people do not realise is that PVC bi-folds expand in the heat much more than aluminium bi-folds. We limit the width of our PVC bi-folds to 4 metres for this very reason. Our aluminium bi-folds comfortably go up to 6 metres. Aluminium also has the advantage that it may be coloured any RAL colour. Generally aluminium doors are slimmer than PVC due to aluminiums greater strength like-for-like, therefore we can maximise the glass area of the doors.
