email: info@slidingbifolds.com

Call us on: + 44 (0) 2890 812441

Timber Sliding External Doors

Timber sliding doors offer the traditional feel to any environment it is incorporated in and is the ideal solution for living areas requiring a large amount of sunlight. 

This also enables you to enjoy any panoramic views of the landscape, by affording you the maximum uninterrupted view - simply put that means more glass less frame!  

In our choice of sliding system hardware we have several advantages over our competitors:

  • Grade A rated thermally efficient structure.
  • Easy operation, as the door does not have to be lifted to unlock and/or open. So operating and locking forces are irrespective of the sash weight.
  • By means of the 180o handle position, a safeguarded night ventilation function is enabled that is not visible from outside. The door is completely closed and locked. The bottom gasket components are forced downwards, creating an approx 6mm ventilation gap across the overall width on the top. (This is the only Sliding door system on the market to offer this technology).
 

Sliding Timber Doors

External sliding doors
External sliding doors
External sliding doors
External sliding doors
External sliding doors
External sliding doors

Timber External Sliding Doors in Detail

  • Insulation
  • Features
  • 2 & 3 Door Options
  • 4 Doors
  • Corner Configs
  • Colour and Finishes
  • Construction
  • Glass

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.

 SlidingbiFolds U Values 

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 sliding 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.

Slidingbifolds has a hardware system for almost any exterior sliding door system.  We can use a range of different hardware systems to allow for top-hung or bottom-rolling that meets the needs of not only residential premises but commercial properties as well.   Most of our external sliding patio doors are bottom rolling allowing for the largest possible lift and slide timber sliding door on the market at a whopping 400kg per door. Incorporating are state of the art hardware with our bespoke timber sections for the doors we are always keen to break new boundaries in maximising the total possible glazed area.  

BESPOKE DOOR DESIGN

Slidingbifolds innovative rolling system provides symmetry to the door design and simplifies the door manufacturing process, we offer the maximum fully glazed systems on the market which can also carry the heaviest weight load per door.

EASE OF OPERATION

Easy operation, as the door does not have to be lifted to unlock and/or open. So operating and locking forces are irrespective of the sash weight.  

SIMPLE ADJUSTMENT

Easy screwdriver access and simple vertical adjustment to either the head of a top hung system or the bogey wheels of a bottom rolling system, allows adjustment of 10 mm making our hardware the most practical system for sliding doors.

SECURE VENTILATION

By means of the 180° handle position, a safeguarded night ventilation function is enabled that is not visible from outside. The door is completely closed and locked. The bottom gasket components are forced downwards, creating an approx. 6 mm ventilation gap across the overall width on the top. (Only Sliding door system in the market to offer this technology).  

INSULATION

Combining our state of the art hardware with recommended exterior weather-seals and double glazed units we can create an insulated external sliding door system.

SECURITY

Slidingbifolds systems incorporate locking screws, secure tracks/guides and non-removable components.  We can also add additional 3 point hook locking systems to our sliding interior doors for any additional security that is required.  Our dropbolts are specifically designed to use with our sliding doors, so that can keep one fixed on a 2 sliding one fixed configuration.  So are substantial, robust and lockable so our sliding door systems can withstand physical attack.

 
The sizes and configurations shown below are our recommendations, if you have a specific requirement that is not shown please contact us.

The following designs are the recommended number of panels for aperture width but other configurations may be available if required.

Min Height = 1800mm Max Height = 3000mm Max Leaf Weight 400kg

2 Door Configuration Min - max width 1000mm – 6000mm
 

3 Door Configuration Min - max width 1500mm – 9000mm

The sizes and configurations shown below are our recommendations, if you have a specific requirement that is not shown please contact us.

The following designs are the recommended number of panels for aperture width but other configurations may be available if required.

Min Height = 1800mm Max Height = 3000mm Max Leaf Weight 400kg

4 Door Configuration Min - max width 2000mm – 12000mm
 
 
The sizes and configurations shown below are our recommendations, if you have a specific requirement that is not shown please contact us.

The following design is an example of a typical corner configuration, 2 door right, 2 door left however most other permutations are possible; 2-3, 3- 3 etc, etc.

Min Height = 1800mm Max Height = 3000mm Max Leaf Weight 400kg

4 Door Corner Configuration

5 Door Corner Configuration

Your new timber sliding door is supplied fully factory finished in your choice of translucent stain finish or specified RAL colour. To maintain the integrity of the product it is important that all timber bifold doors are factory finished. 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 sliding 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 Colour Chart

Slidingbifolds Wood Stain Chart

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 will be constructed from our exclusive engineered timber to prevent warping and twisting. There is a choice of timbers available as standard these are Larch, Mahogany, Iroko and Oak. Other Hardwoods are available on request.

The frame will be made of the appropriate hardwood to match the Door construction. The construction of the frame will depend on drive track i.e. top or bottom depending on the opening requirements. All Frames are constructed using the same engineered timber.

Slidingbifolds Timber Sliding doors

1.2 U Value as Standard

Our standard double glazed units consist of 6mm toughened, 20mm argon filled, 6mm 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