Bi-folding doors - Any Recommendations?

[Minemapper]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

If I could write a cheque for 50k to pick the house up and spin it 180 degrees, I probably would.

I feel your pain. North-facing houses are a pain.

I see why you don't want to rip the end wall of the kitchen out, but I think you'll get really annoyed by having to traipse around through the dining room every time you want to get something. What about just making the window opening into a doorway? It'll take some re-jiggering of stuff, but might give you a compromise that works.

[Rosscow]

Just sold two pairs of bespoke European oak bi-folds.

6m wide x 3m high, 6 doors in each set.

Special acoustic double glazed units (10mm glass / 12mm spacer / 6mm glass) and full factory spray finish.

Centor E4 heavy duty top rolling gear. 110 x 62mm solid engineered Oak section.

£24k including VAT for both sets, supply only.

The gear is over £5k and the glass nearly £4k!

[Minemapper]

In that case I would weigh the costs versus the added value very carefully. Are you going to add £15k to the potential selling price? Haven't been tracking them locally for a while now, but it seems things are still taking a while to shift.

[scenario8]

A gentle bump to see if anyone has any experiences or tips to share. We'll likely be looking to replace a crittal french door into our garden as part of a refurb/modernisation of our house. Currently the gap is 2.4m sq. My initial thoughts are for a 3 door (2 by 1) opening. No firm idea on glass type or frame construction. We're mulling over a single storey extension into the garden to create an L shape footprint employing a similar opening on that room too. Cost/planning dependent.

Thanks in advance.

[70slovebug]

BrightYellowTVR said:

Great thread, I am looking at fitting these in an extension that has a 6m opening.
Is it possible to have 2 sets of 3m doors that meet in the middle? I am also looking do a flush mounting system in the floor so no lip to step over ( or as low as possible). I am based in Berkshire so any recomended suppliers would be useful as my initial enquiries are not going well.

Thanks, Jon
ps Never thought to look on PH for my answer..

Any one had experience of joining two sets of doors together, as it might be the cheaper option for us as the doors are nearly 7m wide! and dont have the budget to go with them!

Cheers

[-Pete-]

Try http://www.c-harvey.ltd.uk/home.html we've used them a couple of times and they've got that rare combination of being helpful, knowledgeable, professional and good value for money. I think they're based in Hants, but Bucks & Berks is no problem for them

Edited by -Pete- on Tuesday 29th January 21:37

[SVS]

Hi, you might want to look into bi-folding doors that meet the PAS24 security standard, becuase other bi-folding doors offer notoriously easy entry for thieves

E.g. check out Silders UK's "Ultimate" bi-folding doors, which are PAS24-tested to offer decent burglar-resistance:
www.sliders-uk.com/index.php/our-products/ultimate...

I've no relationship with Sliders UK and other PHers may know more bi-folding doors that meet PAS24 too.

[Ranger 6]

SVS said:

...other PHers may know more bi-folding doors that meet PAS24 too.

Page 1 - Sunfold

[SVS]

Hi Ranger 6, are they? There's no mention of PAS24 on www.sunfold.com

[Ranger 6]

I googled PAS24 and Sunfold and came up with a couple of references?

[MultiFolds]

Hi All

I run two companies, one for UPVC Bifolds and one for aluminium Bifolds. We deliver nationwide.

If you hear people telling you UPVC are not good, ignore them as they have their place in the market. Only issue with them is size limitations compared to aluminium and dark coloured doors opening outwards. So long as the doors are fitted correctly and by correctly I mean the glass units mostly, then you will not have problems.

Check out our sites:
www.multifoldsandsliders.co.uk
www.kingtonaluminiumbifolds.co.uk

Or call me on 01544 230850

Cheers

Richard

[SVS]

Sorry Richard, your doors may be beautifully made, but they appear just as insecure as any other uPVC sliding door. Do they meet the latest PAS24 standard for door security? Failing that, are your door handles 'TS007 two-star' compliant? Does the door set have an anti-lift device?

What with all the recent BBC publicity, many of us regular punters are savvy to PAS24 now.

[MultiFolds]

SVS said:

Sorry Richard, your doors may be beautifully made, but they appear just as insecure as any other uPVC sliding door. Do they meet the latest PAS24 standard for door security? Failing that, are your door handles 'TS007 two-star' compliant? Does the door set have an anti-lift device?

What with all the recent BBC publicity, many of us regular punters are savvy to PAS24 now.

Hi SVS

Bifold doors are not governed by PAS23/24. Are you aware of what PAS 24 is? I have conducted PAS23/24 trials in my previous life and if you would like to bring with you a scraper and a couple of other hand tools, I'll give you 3 mins to break into one. Because that is all your allowed in break in testing and if the glass is broken during a test, the test stops! Burglars by all accounts are not allowed to break glass!

Our doors use bespoke Bifolding door gearing. I don't fit those handles as I fit a different type of locking.

I have had a break in attempt on a customers door once and the thieves failed! They did however make a bit of a mess though but alas I can sleep at night.

[razor11]

I'd appreciate an update to this thread as it was started some time ago.

I am looking for 3.3m of aluminium bi-fold doors in Yorkshire. Like the rest of you, I will pay for quality and security, so grateful to hear of those suppliers/brands from those who have had them installed and are happy with them after some time.

Much appreciated.

[Ranger 6]

As you can probably tell I'm a fan of Sunfold - after 5 years I have no reason to change that opinion

[NorthDave]

I used Greenways Architectural and they were good quality and cheap. Based around Brum I think but they came and fitted in Manchester.

[voicey]

I bought 4 panel door (4m x 2.3m) from ukbifold (I got it for a trade price through a friends company). I fitted it myself with the help of a fellow PHr and builder. Quality is excellent and the price was far, far better than anyone else I could find.

[V8RX7]

I bought some aluminium ones from Weathershield (door side trades as Slide And Fold) In Coventry.

They were a fraction of the price others quoted - IIRC £1850 for 2.4m - we fitted them in a day.

Still fine 9 months later and easily passed the new build air test.

[allgonepetetong]

voicey said:

I bought 4 panel door (4m x 2.3m) from ukbifold (I got it for a trade price through a friends company). I fitted it myself with the help of a fellow PHr and builder. Quality is excellent and the price was far, far better than anyone else I could find.

That's funny, as my quote from UK Bifold was around 50% more than my chosen option, Smart's Visifold.

[Justin72]

Another vote here for UK Bi-Fold.

I originally visited their factory showroom about 18 months ago and was very impressed with the quality. Told my mate about them as he had a set of bi-folds made by a local joiner which were crap so he replaced them with a set from UK Bi-Fold and is very happy.

I have finally just ordered my set which are 5.3 metres wide and custom height.