Bi-Fold doors terror

[Micro]

A thing for anyone who cares about heat loss:

Ask the window supplier for the Uw value for your specific window. Ask to see the calculation, and see if it seems to apply to a window with your dimensions. Some will try to give you a generic U value, which may bear little resemblance to the real world U value of what you are buying, because the proportion of frame to glass is significant, especially if you are looking at, say, triple glazing with aluminium frames. The performance of the glass may be pretty good, but the frames will not be (even if they are 'thermally broken'). If you have a lot of framing, and if that framing is quite chunky, then loads of heat is going to be lost through it, in some cases almost negating the effect of high spec glazing.

Many suppliers won't give you a clear answer. Without a Uw value calculation you can't compare what they are offering you with anything else.

Or just ask for the data sheet. There’ll probably be one for the doors and one for the actual glazing unit.

 

[SheilaNaGig]

This would apply to outward opening, normal glazed patio doors too though.

You can also get inward-opening bifolds. But then you run into complications with curtains and things.

Yes.

 

[Micro]

Yeah, open when it’s raining. Like any door but because it’s glass you get watermarks, and any grub in the rain leaves a residue. If I had an awning, when the door is open it would be covered so not get wet in the rain.

ETA When the door is stood open, the inside of the door catches the rain.

Careful to balance this with the natural light. Unless it’s south-facing an awning could make the room quite dark.

 

[SheilaNaGig]

Careful to balance this with the natural light. Unless it’s south-facing an awning could make the room quite dark.

... which is why I suggested it should be retractable.

 

[teuchter]

Or just ask for the data sheet. There’ll probably be one for the doors and one for the actual glazing unit.

No, you have missed my point. The real U value of the assembled window is what matters, and that will not be represented on any data sheet because it is specific to the particular window concerned. A window that is a 2m x 2m piece of glass with a frame around it will have a completely different performance to one that is 2m x 2m but divided up into several sections which might be hinged, sliding, bifold, whatever.

 

[Micro]

If you go with aluminium, make sure the seals between each door and the frame are decent quality. I’ve seen them break down very quickly on a couple of jobs.

Check the quality of handles and locks. The standard ones can look okay but are sometimes shit plastic and end up breaking down.

If you go with timber, it can be a good idea to have a threshold because you can’t have a weathering strip at the bottom like you would on a normal door, because they’d get in the way of the folding action. The base of the bottom rails can get a bit rotten without one from water splashing.
You can still have your floor inside flush with he threshold, but you’d need a small step down to the exterior.

 

[Micro]

No, you have missed my point. The real U value of the assembled window is what matters, and that will not be represented on any data sheet because it is specific to the particular window concerned. A window that is a 2m x 2m piece of glass with a frame around it will have a completely different performance to one that is 2m x 2m but divided up into several sections which might be hinged, sliding, bifold, whatever.

Fair enough. If I was doing this in work I’d probably just compare the U values of the components with ones that I’ve used on previous jobs.
But then I’m just a lazy architect.

If I was doing it as part of a U value compliance exercise then I’d for sure go further. Or just ask the consultant to.

 

[Dan U]

bit like when i recommended a Howdens to you, this might be a bit far for you ATOMIC SUPLEX

we bought a house last summer and the previous owners had bifolds. I think they are from Merstham Glass Doors — Merstham Glass Ltd
(as that is where the velux in the extension are from) but several friends have got them from this place in Redhill (big showroom so you can look at them)

Redhill | Aluminium Doors & Windows Showroom | Express Bi-folds

I think the rule of thumb is a minimum of £1k a metre but it goes up rapidly depending on type of glass, integrated shutters etc.

the previous owners have put a sun blind/awning outside ours (as it faces south east so gets mega sun in the morning) we can roll out it out when it's hot and we need to get some internal blinds really.

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

bit like when i recommended a Howdens to you, this might be a bit far for you ATOMIC SUPLEX

we bought a house last summer and the previous owners had bifolds. I think they are from Merstham Glass Doors — Merstham Glass Ltd
(as that is where the velux in the extension are from) but several friends have got them from this place in Redhill (big showroom so you can look at them)

Redhill | Aluminium Doors & Windows Showroom | Express Bi-folds

I think the rule of thumb is a minimum of £1k a metre but it goes up rapidly depending on type of glass, integrated shutters etc.

the previous owners have put a sun blind/awning outside ours (as it faces south east so gets mega sun in the morning) we can roll out it out when it's hot and we need to get some internal blinds really.

I don't think redhill is too far is it? I'll check it out.
And your friends are all cool with how it all turned out?

 

[Dan U]

I don't think redhill is too far is it? I'll check it out.
And your friends are all cool with how it all turned out?

Yes they are. And no it isn't too far at all, if nothing else it's good to go and see things like this even if you order somewhere else.

Can decide what type/style you want in the flesh so to speak.

 

[Poi E]

I'm also looking for these now. I want someone to just do all the work, no hassle. Show me the options and take responsibility for the measurements etc. My current uPVC patio doors used to stick in the summer but are now doing it all the time. I've tried adjusting the doors but it just doesn't seem to work. It's really frustrating. I'll just have to keep them shut all the time. They look shit anyway.
I wanted bi folds, so I think I just have to go for it. Might be pricey.
Any recommendations?
We have Albion just down the road in Croydon.

We had Albion in for a quote. Not that impressed at their professionalism.

Bifolds retrofitted are always going to be a bastard as any movement of the house can affect them. Last summer's extreme heat caused shifts in a friend's house stuffing their doors.

Anyway, whack on some silicon lubricant around all the edges to see if it helps at all.

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

We had Albion in for a quote. Not that impressed at their professionalism.

Bifolds retrofitted are always going to be a bastard as any movement of the house can affect them. Last summer's extreme heat caused shifts in a friend's house stuffing their doors.

Anyway, whack on some silicon lubricant around all the edges to see if it helps at all.

They simply don't really fit anymore. The door hits the bottom lock. Takes massive kicks to get in or out. They used to be fine. Must be house movement. My kitchen door which was always stuck is now perfect with no adjustments. The patio doors used to be fine. I've tried the suggested adjustments on the hinges to raise them but they seem to be at capacity.
They look pretty shoddily fitted to be honest.

I had Albion do my bathroom window. I can't remember why, I think I just wanted it done and asked the first people I saw (Albion have some sort of office or something in addiscombe where I live).
It does the job and they did it very quick. Shit at fixing up the outside pebble dash, but I guess that's not really their speciality. It was a grand, which I though was quite a lot. Maybe it wasn't.

 

[teuchter]

Well fitted windows should be done in such a way that allows a little bit of movement in the building structure. Within limits.

If they start seizing up within a year or two of being installed then I'd say there's probably more chance that the window has shifted than the building around it. Good installers should have given you a warranty to cover adjustments.

Usually there are screws that go through the sides of the main frame and into the walls. There ought to be little packers all the way around. If you unpick the internal finishes around the window you may be able to see these. If you can work out how it's gone out of square you can potentially correct things by changing the packers and screwing the screws in or out. Not really a simple job though. If there are no packers/shims and it's just jammed in against the brickwork then it's not been properly installed.

 

[Micro]

would trans-fold doors be capable of transforming into windows?

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

Well fitted windows should be done in such a way that allows a little bit of movement in the building structure. Within limits.

If they start seizing up within a year or two of being installed then I'd say there's probably more chance that the window has shifted than the building around it. Good installers should have given you a warranty to cover adjustments.

Usually there are screws that go through the sides of the main frame and into the walls. There ought to be little packers all the way around. If you unpick the internal finishes around the window you may be able to see these. If you can work out how it's gone out of square you can potentially correct things by changing the packers and screwing the screws in or out. Not really a simple job though. If there are no packers/shims and it's just jammed in against the brickwork then it's not been properly installed.

It was put In before I moved in a about 12 years ago so no warranty.
Maybe I can get someone to adjust it for now.