At North West bifolds, we firmly believe aluminium is best for bifolding doors. We’ve been in the door and window business for more than thirty years. The last eight, we’ve concentrated on aluminium with our quality range of aluminium bifolding doors from Origin and other brands. In this article, we explain why aluminium is best for bifolding doors using an existing set of PVCu doors we recently replaced.
Understanding why aluminium is best for bifolding doors.
We never rubbish any product. Modern windows and doors are designed to meet many different standards. PVCu remains the best selling product for those wanting to replace their dated windows and doors.
For PVCu bifolding doors, these products have come a long way compared to early generation bifolding doors. PVCu doors will always cost you less. However, as time goes by they may end up costing you more. For replacing your windows either PVCu or aluminium will give you the better security or energy efficiency. However, when it comes to bifolding doors, we explain why aluminium is better.
Better and slimmer looking doors.
While modern PVCu bifolding doors have slimmed down over recent years, aluminium is always slimmer. Thinner doors mean more glass, more light and better views out to your garden. Additionally, slimmer bifolding doors still have the strength needed.
Take a look at the hinges on PVCu bifolding doors and you’ll see how many models have these fixed on the face. Many PVCu profiles are just not strong enough to take the weight of the door panels without internal reinforcement.
Our Origin OB-49 bifolding doors are one of the slimmest on the market with sightlines at the door mullions of just 110mm. Compare these to most PVCu doors and you’ll see at least 180mm-200mm of bulky PVCu profile obstructing your view.
Smoother sliding bifolding doors.
Both aluminium and PVCu are prone to thermal expansion. However, PVCu expands two and half times more than aluminium. For South facing elevations, you’ll find PVCu doors less smooth to open and fold. The PVCu profile expands more, the rollers struggle to roll along with the plastic profile. Overall, the experience opening and closing the doors is not great.
Even on hot days, you’ll find aluminium bifolds just work perfectly every time.
More reliable bifolding doors long-term
Many people improving their homes, do so intending to live in them for the long term. Over many years installing windows and doors, we’ve found large PVCu patio doors like a bifold become more and more unreliable. Sticky rollers, dropped door leaves, stiff locks, juddering doors. These are just some of the issues we’ve seen with old PVCu bifolding doors.
For many homeowners, calling out a locksmith or service engineer frequently results in minimum call-out charges and no permanent resolution to unreliable doors. Aluminium is best for bifolding doors as even the older models installed more than 10 years ago continue to be reliable.
Contact us for honest advice and personal service.
At North West Bifolds, we are proud of our family business and local reputation. Take a look at our recent case-study where we replaced sticky, faulty bifolding doors with a new aluminium set from Origin. Contact us for a free quote and helpful advice to replace your old doors or if you’re building a new extension.