Wood, UPVC, and aluminium bi-fold doors are all available and all are perfectly adequate in the right setting. However, if you are looking for a sleek design with large ‘leaves’ and a high glass to frame ratio, you’ll need a frame material that’s as strong as possible.
Bi-fold doors are great when you want to create a seamless experience between your inside and outside space. When open, they let in the most amount of natural light compared with sliding or French doors. There are many different designs of bifold doors and frame material is one of the key components when choosing your bi-fold system, and aluminium bi-fold doors are the strongest doors available today.
Why aluminium bi-fold doors are so good
When compared with UPVC and wood, aluminium bi-fold doors are the strongest and longest lasting. Fundamentally, this is because aluminium is a metal and metals tend to be much stronger than plastic or wood. But there’s a good reason why we don’t tend to see steel framed windows and doors so much anymore, and that’s because of aluminium’s other excellent properties. In addition to being strong, aluminium bi-fold doors are very light-weight and aluminium is readily available, easy to machine and has excellent environmental credentials. It’s also naturally resistant to corrosion, so your doors will last for decades, with nothing more than a wipe over to keep them clean. You can finish your aluminium bi-folds with a vast array of powder finishes – so there’s versatility with the look as well.
This is why aluminium as a frame material is so loved by architects. You can make statement windows or doors, such as bi-fold doors, with minimal amounts of frame and not be in danger of the frame warping under the weight of the glass. Some aluminium bi-fold systems are very long, and some may even cover more than one wall. Again, here you’ll need a strong construction material that won’t bend or warp over time, and aluminium is simply the best choice here.
Can aluminium bi-fold doors look good in traditional homes?
We’ve spoken about how aluminium bi-fold doors are perfect in contemporary, architect designed homes where large panes of glass are an integral part of the design. But that doesn’t mean that aluminium isn’t suitable for your more traditional home. As we’ve discussed, aluminium is easy to machine and can be finished in any colour you like, making it a very versatile material to work with. If you are trying to replicate traditional style windows and doors, with very thin glazing bars, then aluminium has the inherent strength for this.
Perhaps one of the main disadvantages of aluminium is that is does cost more than UPVC and sometimes even more than wood. Therefore, you could be limited by your budget. But, if you can afford it, it really is an investment as aluminium lasts longer than wood, and a lot longer than UPVC. It’s also an environmentally friendly choice due to the recyclability of aluminium – there will be very little waste when your new aluminium bi-folds eventually need replacing.
Aluminium bi-fold doors from Woodcraft Windows
Our aluminium bi-fold doors are made to measure and will complement traditional homes and contemporary homes alike. You can choose the finish, locking mechanism and glass type, and we can advise you on the best design for your home.
