Aluminium Bifold Door Condensation
Aluminium Bifold Door Condensation
Author
Discussion

HSviper0995

Original Poster:

4 posts

31 months

Monday 24th November
quotequote all
Had some bifold doors fitted 18 months ago and they’ve been great - no issues.

As we started to approach this winter, the frame particularly around the base has started to see heavy levels of condensation. Silicone was applied between the floor tile and door frame, however I’ve pulled it out as the condensation was so heavy the silicone went black!

Picture following the removal of silicone attached.

Does anyone have any recommendations on what can be used between the frame and concrete / tile flooring to stop the cold air from getting in and creating the condensation please?

Thanks!

Lotobear

8,442 posts

148 months

Monday 24th November
quotequote all
are the frame sections thermally broken? (original quote should say)

HSviper0995

Original Poster:

4 posts

31 months

Monday 24th November
quotequote all
Sorry yes, they are!

Lotobear

8,442 posts

148 months

Monday 24th November
quotequote all
I suppose even if they are it is no guarantee that condensation will not form, especially along the base of the frame where the air is coldest.

...so probably not much you can do unfortunately beyond the usual 'controls' such as ensuring adequate heating and ventilation. It's one of those things I'm afraid in our modern air sealed and highly insulated homes.

Sorry to answer your specific question, something like Compriband expanding tape inserted into the gap then re pointed with a silicone or polysulphide sealant is pretty much all you can do. It's more likely to be a case of thermal bridging than draughts causing the issue I would have thought.

Edited by Lotobear on Monday 24th November 14:59

Jeremy-75qq8

1,580 posts

112 months

Monday 24th November
quotequote all
I have an indoor pool with Ali doors ( ie a harsh environment ).

We get a small amount of condensation on the frame.

At the top of the frame ( where ventilation is poorest ) I put some neoprene tape in white on top ( you can't see it ) which stops much of the top condensation as it is warmer. You could do the same but in your case it would likely be visible.

When it was installed we had some condensation at the bottom and it turned out to be that it was not sealing properly and when that was corrected it solved the issue.

It is annoying that thermally broken frames are not as thermally broken as they should be !

The only other thing you can do is control the indoor humidity by ventilation or increasing the room temp such that it holds more moisture.

rossub

5,393 posts

210 months

Tuesday 25th November
quotequote all
No consolation, but we have this with ours as well.


LRDefender

371 posts

28 months

Tuesday 25th November
quotequote all
Better ventilation is probably the easiest way to prevent condensation appearing.

AyBee

11,066 posts

222 months

Tuesday 25th November
quotequote all
Is it sealing on the outside? I have a bit of this on mine, but I'm fairly sure cold air is getting into the frame because it's not sealing on the outside.