The Perfect Material for Bifold Patio Doors

Bifold patio doors are doors which folds back and opens in sections. These doors are popularly known as Folding Doors and sometimes as Concertina Doors. Folding doors can be used as a divider for external uses. These doors are not something new. Historical Evidence suggests that Romans used these kinds of doors. They disliked single doors and used these doors wherever possible. Even today, bifold patio doors are popular among people and they function in a much better way as compared to patio doors.

Bifold Patio Doors

The Apt Material for Your Bifold Doors

The perfect material for the doors should be based upon your needs. What do you expect from doors? These questions should be answered before choosing the material for your bifold door because each material fulfills different needs.

#1. Strength – Doors, which are strong enough to withstand extreme weather conditions and rough use, require materials different from the normal or standard ones. The doors have frames to support massive panes of glasses. Thus, the material should be strong enough. If strength is what you are looking for, these are the few options, which you should go for:

• Aluminum – Aluminum is the strongest material out there to support heavy panes of glasses. Due to its lightweight, the frames are light and can easily support heavy glasses. This material is resistant to the extreme weather conditions due to which it does not bends or twists even in harsh conditions. Thus, it is a popular choice for coastal houses and are used extensively in such areas.
• Timber – The kind of timber used for doors is not the solid timber but engineered one. This kind of timber is made up of layers of wood which is stuck together with polyurethane. This looks rich and sophisticated and offers a retro touch to the place of installation. Timber doors are sleek in design and available in a lot of designs. This particular timber is not resistant to weather. They can be easily affected by extreme and direct sunlight and is ruined when exposed to moisture.
• uPVC – This material is similar to timber. They are prone to weather beating which means they are easily affected by warping when exposed to sunlight and moisture. The only advantage of uPVC is that they can be fitted easily without any sort of inconvenience.

#2. Heat Insulation – The majority of a bifold patio door is covered by glass. Glass acts as an excellent heat absorber. The speed at which the material of the door absorbs heat is referred to as heat insulation. It is measured by a value µ.

• Aluminum – Since all metals are good conductors of heat, aluminum too conducts heat and does not act as a good insulator. But today people can change this problem by simply installing breaks. These breaks are installed between the inner and outer layer of the material which causes heat loss to occur. These decrease the thermal efficiency of µ value. Thus, aluminum again becomes a viable choice.
• Timber – Timber is a better insulator of heat as compared to aluminum, that too without breaks. The µ value can be lowered further by installing brakes. The insulation gets affected by weather easily because timber gets affected by weather instantly.
• uPVC – uPVC has a lower µ value than aluminum, but is again affected by weather. It is not a popular material since it is the least environment friendly. 

#3. Maintenance and Price – The last point stress on how much the consumer is ready to spend and put in an effort to take care of the bifold patio door.

• Aluminum – This material is the most expensive but can last for more than 30 years. Talking about maintenance, this door does not need repainting and does not get easily corroded. Thus, aluminum bifold doors are of low maintenance.
• Timber – The price of timber doors depends on the type of wood purchased. But due to material’s characteristics, it can easily corrode and warp due to which yearly maintenance is required. So, not only it is high maintenance but also becomes an expensive choice.
• uPVC – This material does not require high maintenance. It can be cleaned with soap and water easily. Not only it is low maintenance but cheapest also. 

Thus, buy the best material of a bifold patio door keeping in mind the conditions the door will be exposed to. Some might prefer aluminum and some uPVC, it depends only on what the consumer needs.