Timber External BiFolding Doors

U-values and saving energy

In the average home, 80% of the energy used is for heating, but much of this heat just disappears through poorly insulated roofs, walls, windows and doors.

One of the most important considerations when it comes to a choosing door system for your home should be the U-value rating, energy efficiency is an important issue, so much so that it has now been addressed in legislation. 

The latest revisions to building regulations (ROI & UK) mean energy efficient doors will be made mandatory. All new doors will need to have a U- value of 1.8W/m2K or less (the current standard for energy efficient windows).  

The thermal rating of a window or door is measured in U-Values, the lower the U-Value the better the thermal efficiency it has so will reduce the energy needed to heat your home or premises.

Many companies will give you a U-Value based on the centre pane value or the U-Value of the glass. This value will always be lower than the actual value of the window or door system.  

Our engineered timber exterior bifold doors have a U-Value of at least 1.4 or A rated on an energy chart using our standard Low-E double glazed units, this is because timber is one of the most thermally efficient materials used in the glazing industry.

What exactly is the U-value?

 The U-value or “overall heat transfer coefficient” shows how well a building product conducts heat. In other words, the U-value represents the rate of heat transfer through a building element, such as a wall, floor or window, over a given area and under agreed standard conditions.

The lower the U-value is, the slower the rate of heat flowing through the object and therefore less heat will escape through the door– or put differently the lower the U value the lower the potential costs of heating that particular building.

Slidingbifold’s products not only meet the new stringent changes in Building Regulations 2010 (UK) 2011 (ROI) ... we already surpass further changes planned for 2013.

A typical 3 Door Configuration

A popular choice for smaller openings, a 3-panel system like this ‘3 right’ layout provides a single access panel for entry from inside or outside just like a regular door. However, with fingertip-light operation, all three panels fold neatly to one side allowing for more open living space.

Slidingbifolds has a hardware system for almost any any external application, either top-hung or bottom-rolling, commercial or residential. Most of our bi fold door systems are top hung allowing a greatly reduced threshold. Where the structural head is not sufficiently secure on which to attach the door system too we can use one of our many bottom rolling systems.

Slidingbifolds can cater for grand scale commercial and residential applications, the new hardware systems have substantially increased height, width and overall measurement specifications. Double glazed panels of previously unimaginable size, framed with the sturdiest materials move aside effortlessly with our state of the art hardware.

Equal sized panels

Slidingbifolds innovative hinge system provides symmetry to the door design and simplifies the door manufacturing process.

Concealed floor guide

For a more discreet appearance, offset floor guides and pivots enable the guide channel to be located under the doors and out of view, when they are in the closed position.

Simple adjustment

Easy screwdriver access and simple vertical and horizontal adjustment of the patented Surelock mechanism on pivots and carriers allows adjustment of 10 mm making our hardware the most practical system for larger folding doors.

Durability

Tested to exceed 50,000 opening and closing actions at maximum load, without any component failure, we can confidently offer our 10-year warranty.

Your new timber bifolding door is supplied fully factory finished in your choice of translucent stain finish or specified RAL colour, this is important to maintain the integrity of the product. Many suppliers offer an unfinished product which means you are responsible for applying at least three coats of wood stain or paint which can be very time consuming and could compromise the warranty if not applied correctly.

Standard Spray Finishes

Our timber folding doors are factory sprayed with three coats of 250 microns per coat which provides a finish comparable with up to 15 coats of brush applied paint. Factory finished doors are low maintenance and have a very long life span of up to 10 years before they require attention.

Translucent Stain Finishes

Choose from a translucent wood stain from the Sayerlack Hydroplus wood finishing range which provides a high quality finish whilst protecting the timber against the weather. We have a sample range that we can post to you before confirming your order.

RAL Paint Colours

Alternatively, you can also choose from over 200 different RAL colours available in matt or satin finish. You can download a RAL colour chart here for guidance purposes but we recommend you obtain a printed RAL colour chart to confirm your colour choice at the time of order. A few RAL colours may require an additional set-up fee, please check with us prior to ordering

Each door and frame will be machined and joined in our workshop, using our unique engineered timber to prevent warping and twisting. A wide range of timbers are available, as standard these include; Pine, Mahogany, Iroko and Oak. Other hardwoods are available on request. The most common type of external bi fold door will be one that is fully glazed.  This is known as a Pattern 10 door which is shown right.  As each client has their own individual tastes we can make any type of door whether it is a full timber door or partially glazed, we can also match the existing doors of a client’s house to keep and preserve the traditional look.   

Door frames are be made from an appropriate hardwood to match the door construction. The construction of the frame will vary depending on drive track (top or bottom) depending on the opening requirements.

We offer an almost infinite range of finishes to suit your individual preference, each coat expertly applied in our fully equipped spray shop.

Quality Assured

The entire process is under the control of our team of experienced joiners ensuring that each finished product leaves our workshop fully factory finished, wrapped and ready for installation.

1.2 U Value as Standard

Our standard double glazed units consist of 4mm toughened, 20mm argon filled, 4mm toughened with a warm edge spacer bar. We also offer a range of other units to satisfy your individual requirements or Building Control led requests.

We use PLANITHERM

PLANITHERM is Europe's best selling range of high performance low-emissivity glass (low-E glass). The glass utilises the very latest advancements in thermally insulating glass coating technology.

Specially manufactured by Saint-Gobain Glass for the UK market, PLANITHERM products are specifically designed to keep interiors more comfortable in the winter months and improve your home's energy efficiency.

The thermal insulation provided by low-E double glazing is three times more efficient than that of standard double glazing and PLANITHERM products are the ideal low-e solution to meeting and exceeding the newly revised Building Regulations energy efficiency requirements.

PLANITHERM products use a special coating to reflect heat from domestic heat sources back into the room, rather than allowing it to escape through the windows. At the same time, this coating allows free heat and light from the sun to pass through the glass, warming the room and further contributing to the energy efficiency of the windows and helping to reduce your energy bills.

Additional Options

The PLANITHERM range can be combined with many other Saint-Gobain Glass products, providing a multitude of high performance, multi-functional glazing options, including:

 • Self-cleaning and/or solar control glazing
 • Acoustic insulation
 • Obscured and/or decorative glazing

This combination of excellent thermal insulation with high solar heat gain makes PLANITHERM the most energy efficient window glass available and the best possible choice for energy savings