Bi-folding or sliding doors?

[austinbyrne]

Hi All,

I am putting in patio doors in a 3800mm opening and am looking some advise based on experience.

Originally my thought was to put in bi-folding aluminium doors (KAT manufacturer) instead of sliding doors as I like the idea of being able to open them right back. Where as sliding doors will only allow an opening of half the total opening size.

However I have heard from 2 people (a builder and a glazer) that bi-folding doors will “break your heart” as over time the mechanisms wear and start to malfunction. Where as sliding doors have fewer moving parts hence will operate as expected with little to no maintenance.

What’s the experience of folks on this forum? Of course manufacturers vary and I specifically mention KAT as one of the window fitters I spoke with supplies several brands of bi-folds and they said KAT was their high end version.

Thanks for your help.
Cheers.

 

[motorbiking]

I personally prefer sliding doors, though the opening in my house is a lot wider. Bifolds take up space when open and there are very few scenarios when you want the whole door open. I'd go for sliders that can open from both ends. You could go for a triple unit that will result in a larger opening.

 

[austinbyrne]

I personally prefer sliding doors, though the opening in my house is a lot wider. Bifolds take up space when open and there are very few scenarios when you want the whole door open. I'd go for sliders that can open from both ends. You could go for a triple unit that will result in a larger opening.

Cheers, never thought of a triple unit good idea.

 

[Notch7]

However I have heard from 2 people (a builder and a glazer) that bi-folding doors will “break your heart” as over time the mechanisms wear and start to malfunction.

I think thats poor advice.

Ive made timber bifolds for years, Ive never had any call backs due to issues with the mechanisms.

I use top hung systems, they have 2 or 4 bearings in each hub, with 2 side thrust bearings. This is high quality engineering, made to last for many 1,000s of cycles.

So choose your door set based on preference of configuration.

Personally I think bifolds are almost never opened fully in this country, so sliders give you the benefit of taking no room up and have bigger glass

 

[austinbyrne]

Thanks Notch7, I will take that into consideration. Cheers

 

[foxhole]

Have Ali bi fold , fully open every day during the summer, no problems so far .