Bi fold doors which material

[LeeST]

Hi guys, my little extension is starting to take shape at last.

We are having some 3m bi folds. ( well probably 2.85m now to be exact due to some other issues but that’s another story.

Anyway. I had in mind aluminium. Not sure why but I was adamant I didn’t want UPVC. Think I was worried about expansion In heat then having problems with them down the line.

My builder didn’t have a preference, my architect said straight away aluminium. The guy who had just done the rest of the windows in my house said aluminium but UPVC are ok but wouldn’t want them if the door size was over 3m

Opinions please?

 

[God]

Aluminium all day long

 

[God]

May cost a bit more but no hassle once fitted.

 

[ironsidebod]

Sorry to jump in on someone else's thread but are alu bi-folds suitable in a south facing wall?

We currently have wood and the sun and heat takes it toll on the wood protection and are considering aluminium when the time comes to replace.

 

[LeeST]

Thanks

I was leaning towards aluminium but in my head at least I have concerns over the UPVC expanding and contracting with the heat then giving us problems later down the line. Our window guy was trying to steer us towards Ali but did say UPVC was ok for less than 3m. He wouldn’t do them bigger than that was his words.

I’m happy with the extra cost, as long as I’m getting something “better”. Think this is why i posted.

 

[Gazman16]

Ali all day long
I regret ever fitting PVC or timber bifolds, The few I did I get called back to at least once per year

 

[Notch7]

Ali all day long
I regret ever fitting PVC or timber bifolds, The few I did I get called back to at least once per year

As Ive prob mentioned before, Ive manufactured and installed many timber bifolds without issues -hardly any call backs. However its true wood will expand and shrink (the stiles change width). The more doors there are the more potential there is for bigger movement. Bifolds are best made from accoya or engineered laminated timber.

Aluminiums only disadvantage is risk of condensation.

Aly is by far the best choice.

 

[Gazman16]

As Ive prob mentioned before, Ive manufactured and installed many timber bifolds without issues -hardly any call backs. However its true wood will expand and shrink (the stiles change width). The more doors there are the more potential there is for bigger movement. Bifolds are best made from accoya or engineered laminated timber.

Aluminiums only disadvantage is risk of condensation.

Aly is by far the best choice.

To be honest only timber ones I ever fitted were cheap ones from Wicks (customer bought them) Luckily I specifically made them sign a contract that we would have no responsibility for problems with the product itself.
Has probably ended up costing them way more than ali doors by now as I charge every-time they call me back.

I have fitted loads of normal timber windows and doors over the years, All sorts of makes and materials and now I just hate timber with a passion lol.
Mostly customers fault for going with cheapest makes/materials but even high end Oaks have been a pain in the ass.

I don't have much experience with the new breeds of engineered timbers and accoya etc, Hopefully they are much better nowadays but I always try to talk people out of timber

 

[Notch7]

Hopefully they are much better nowadays but I always try to talk people out of timber

Running a joinery company, I always try and talk people into timber

Actually most work is period properties and highly bespoke joinery.

Designed properly, timber joinery has very few issues. Ive probably made thousands of windows over 20 years, with very few issues. The joinery was mostly made in iroko, but more recently engineered siberian larch and accoya.

 

[God]

Aluminium will be fine south facing. Powder coating may fade over a long period of time but not to badly.

 

[ironsidebod]

Excellent, thanks for the info chaps!