Bi-fold doors

slave1

Have gone back to forum start and not found anything on bi-fold doors.
I'm think of a modest rear extension next year and interested in a three way bi-fold door layout.
Initial web search has found Bonner windows and Senator.

Would appreciate feedback from anyone who has had these guys installed, perhaps some prices and lessons learned.

Thanks in advance

whelzer

Hi,

I very nearly went for 4m of folding doors for my extension (which is currently being built). Checked them all out, got loads of quotes, they ranged from 22K!!! to around 4k depending on quality and material (wood, alu, pvc alu-clad).

I opted for 2 fixed panels either side of french doors, on sound advise from a relative that 1) have often would it be fully open and 2) the seals even on the better ones will not last..

Don't go for pvc - horrible things. Best I seen were timber ordered by quality, marvin, futurefold and jorden bends (NI).

slave1

First quote in....
Alu-wood Bi-Fold, 3 Leaf, to supply and fit into prepared opening.
3m (W) X 2.1m (H) €3,641

Yikes

braftery

Slide Fold Door Systems are not simple pieces of engineering.

Different companies offer different systems, different profiles, different thresholds, different seals, etc.

Make sure you get section drawings with each quote, so you understand what exactly you are being quoted for.

Good installation is critical to ensure that the mechanism continues to operate properly over the medium to long term.

There are alot of moving parts within these systems and they need occasional adjustment, so make sure you understand how to adjust them.

Finding the lowest price for Slide/Fold units is easy, finding a good quality Slide/Fold unit that delivers all your requirements for a price you can afford can be a little harder.

Research the products aswell as the prices.

slave1

Yeah, beginning to think that French doors with spare cash in my pocket could be the better opion, the whole 'unknown' element

Wolfhound14

Just to throw in another option:

I just fitted a large single slider. It was part of my whole window package so I don't know the individual price, but it looks great.

I was initially looking at the bifold, but I was worried about all the moving parts.
I then considered the double doors with side panels, but when I saw the large slider I was impressed. Its 3.8 x 2.4 so a good opening.

slave1

@wolfhound, hmmmm
Does this guy slide externally it's entire lenght, if you catch my drift, would you have a link, cost estimate?

Wolfhound14

Not sure what you mean by entire length. The whole 3.8m does not slide.
It is a 2 section door and the opening section slides outside the fixed section:
But the sliding section is almost 2m

Here's a link:
http://www.nordan.co.uk/IE/doors/door.php?prodID=5
Mine is pine with Black Alu on the exterior.

Sorry I don't know the individual price. I bought a total of 23 Windows and 4 Doors

slave1

ah, what I'd call a Patio Door then, other option is French doors where both open...

Wolfhound14

Yes, but I don't think you would get French doors into such a space without have 2 further side panels.
I went for this option to have the min number of obstacles to the view i.e. 1
For French doors there would be 3 verticals...probably not a big deal, but thats why I upgraded.

JuniorB

Have slider from same supplier that Wolfhound mentioned. See attached. Works well. Jury is still out on after care service, will update in a couple of weeks when I see if their 'word', 'personal guarantees' etc are up to scratch.:)

Google companies mentioned by whelzer - one in particular to steer very clear off.