The Perfect Material for Bifold Doors

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Bifold Doors are doors which folds back and opens in sections. These doors are also known as Folding Doors or Concertina Doors. Folding doors can be used as a divider for both internal and external uses. These doors are not new. Excavations in Pompeii have revealed that Romans used these kinds of doors. They disliked single doors and used this door wherever possible. Even today, bifold doors are popular among people and they function in a much better way.

Bifold Doors

The Apt Material for Your Bifold Doors

What kind of a door are you looking for? What do you expect from this door? The answer to these questions is necessary before you choose the material for your bifold door because each material fulfils different needs.

#1. Strength – Doors, which are strong enough to withstand extreme weather conditions and rough use, require materials different from the normal choice. The doors have frames which support massive panes of glasses. Thus, the material should be strong enough. If strength is what you are looking for, here are a few options which you should go for:

• Aluminum – Aluminum is the strongest material out there to support heavy panes of glasses. Since, it is extremely light, the frames are lighter and can easily support heavy glasses. This material is resistant to the weather and does not bends or twists even in harsh conditions. Due to this, it is a popular choice for coastal houses and are used extensively.
• Timber – The kind of timber used for doors is not the solid timber but engineered one. This kind of timber consists of layers of wood stuck together with polyurethane. This look rich and sophisticated. It offers a retro touch to the place installed. Timber doors are sleek in design and are available in a numerous design. The only problem with timber is that they are not resistant to weather. They can be easily affected by direct sunlight and get damaged when exposed to moisture.
• uPVC – This material is similar to timber. They are prone to weather beating, i.e., they easily get warped when exposed to sunlight and moisture. The only advantage offered by uPVC is that they can be fitted easily without any hassle or inconvenience.

Bifold Doors

#2. Heat Insulation – The majority of a bifold door is covered by glass. Glass acts as a major source of heat absorber. The rate at which the material of the door absorbs heat is known as heat insulation. It is measured by a value u. The lower the value, the better the door’s material acts as an insulator.

• Aluminum – Since, all metals are good conductors of heat, aluminum too conducts heat and does not acts as a good insulator. But, today people can alter this condition by simply installing breaks. These breaks are put between the inner and outer layer of the material, which allows heat loss. It decreases the thermal efficiency of u value. Thus, aluminum again becomes a viable choice.
• Timber – Timber is a better insulator of heat as compared to the aluminum, that too without the use of breaks. Installing brakes can lower the value further. Weather affects the insulation easily because timber easily get affected by weather.
• uPVC – uPVC has a lower u value than aluminum but is again affected by weather. It is not a popular material since it is the least environment-friendly.

Bifold Doors

#3. Maintenance and Price – The last point stresses on budget and efforts required to take care of the bifold door.

• Aluminum – This material is the most expensive but can last for more than 30 years. The owner will not have to purchase a new door for a long period of time. If we talk about maintenance, this door does not require repainting and does not get corroded. Thus, aluminum bifold doors are low on maintenance.
• Timber – The price of timber doors depends on the type of wood purchased. But due to material’s capability to corrode and warp easily it requires yearly maintenance. So, not only it is high maintenance but also an expensive choice.
• uPVC – This material does not require high maintenance. Clean it easily with soap and water. Not only it is low maintenance but the cheapest of all. It is because the material is produced on a large scale.

Thus, buy the material of a bifold door keeping in mind the conditions the door will be exposed to. Some might prefer aluminum and some may give preference to uPVC, it depends only on the needs.