Aluminium Bifold Doors in Extensions
Investing in an extension for your home can be a great idea. It will give you extra space and can be brilliant for growing families, workspaces and dream kitchens.
If your extension will back onto your garden, bifold doors can be a great way to maximise space and brighten your home!
Design and price your bifold doors with our online builder below:
Bifold doors can open an extension and create a great flow to your outside living space.
They let lots of natural light into your home and provide fantastic garden views.
Keep reading to learn more about the bifold door options for extensions available to you. We'll explore the materials and glazing options, as well as other important aspects you will want to know.
Bifold Door Options For Your Extension
If you want to make the most of your extension, you can do worse than installing a bifold door.
Extensions are typically a costly investment. Making sure you do it right is essential, and bifold doors can do that.
A good extension will increase the value of your home, and choosing between bifold or other bifold alternatives, like sliding and French doors, can be challenging.
Bi-fold doors offer homeowners a lot of options and can help with all kinds of extensions, including:
- Single-storey extension
- Kitchen extension
- Dining room extension
Similar to that of bifold doors for a summer house, you can enjoy more space by investing in a new extension with bifold doors that open outwards.
Bifold doors typically consist of large glass panels. These panels can be split into smaller sections, or you can enjoy unbroken views with a large panel without separated panes.
Sizes will typically vary from two foldable panes to seven panes. This means they are ideal for all extension sizes.
You will also be able to choose from a range of colours and materials, which will significantly change the appearance of the doors.
Brighten your new space with large glazed bifold door systems, or opt for models with integrated blinds.
These will protect you from the occasional sunny day we get in the UK.
The cost and lifespan of your bifold doors will be determined by their size and the materials you choose.
Extension Bifold Doors Materials
Bi-fold doors can be a great addition to a rear extension and provide easy access to your outdoor space.
Choosing the suitable material will help you achieve the perfect home or kitchen extension look. The following materials are commonly used for bi-fold doors:
Aluminum Bifold Doors
Aluminium bifold doors are one of the most expensive options, but they are also long-lasting.
The powder-coated finishes offer homes a contemporary style. While aluminium isn't regarded as overly temperature-efficient, thermal breaks can help.
This is where an efficient material is incorporated between the frame parts to minimise heat loss and improve efficiency.
Aluminium bifold doors and frames require very little maintenance.
They only need to be cleaned occasionally with warm, soapy water. They also have an incredible lifespan. Well-maintained aluminium door frames can sometimes last as long as 45 years.
Aluminium bifold door pros
- Long-lasting
- Low maintenance
- Contemporary style
- Thermally efficient with thermal breakers
Aluminium bifold door Cons
- Expensive
- Not a naturally efficient material
Timber Bifold Doors
Hardwood bifold door frames are a great option. For years wood's natural appearance has been used to improve home aesthetics.
Wooden door frames are great for more traditional-styled homes, but they don't look out of place in many contemporary settings either.
Hardwood can also be an expensive option. But it is relatively long-lasting and can be painted in different colours depending on your preference.
You could expect hardwood bifold doors to last as long as 30 years, maybe longer if they are well-maintained.
Good maintenance is essential for hardwood doors and window frames. This will include occasional cleaning and treatments to prevent rot or wood-boring insects.
One of the best things about investing in hardwood bifold doors is that they are natural insulators.
When coupled with high-performance glazing, they can provide excellent energy efficiency.
Timber bifold door pros
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Wide range of styles
- Great thermal efficiency
Timber bifold door Cons
- Relatively expensive in some cases
- Requires regular maintenance
uPVC Bifold Doors
If you're looking for a way to reduce the cost of bifold doors for your extension, uPVC bifold doors could be a great option.
They're the cheapest option, but they don't have the same aesthetic appeal as wood or aluminium bifold doors.
uPVC frames will have thermal contraction and expansion issues and can look worn out a lot quicker than premium materials.
One good thing is that they are available in a range of colours. This means you can tailor your door design to suit your existing internal or external style.
The quality of uPVC frames will vary between manufacturers. Some will offer good thermal efficiency compared to others.
Well-maintained uPVC bi-fold doors will typically last for between 20 and 30 years.
uPVC bifold door pros
- Low price
- Good colour range
- It can be long-lasting with the right care
uPVC bifold door Cons
- Not as aesthetically pleasing as alternatives
- Quality will vary between manufacturers
- Do not last as long as wood or aluminium alternatives
Bifold Door Glazing Options
The glazing you choose for your bifold doors will have a significant bearing on your home's energy efficiency.
Choosing a low-E (low emissivity) glass can help you minimise heat loss. Low-E glass uses a microscopic coating that is completely transparent.
It reflects heat into your home while allowing natural light to flood. The light will be limited to some extent, but it shouldn't dramatically impact the room.
It can also help protect your home from hot summer days by reflecting the sun's thermal energy. This can help prevent rooms from overheating.
Another benefit is that it stops UV radiation from bleaching your furniture and furnishings.
As well as exploring low-E glass, there are other glazing options to explore. These include:
Single Glazing
Single glazing is the cheapest option and consists of one pane of glass. This isn't the most efficient and can lead to significant heat loss in the winter.
Single glazing is also poor at stopping outside noise from entering your home.
Double Glazing
Double glazing is commonplace in most homes. It consists of two panes separated by a space bar. The air or gas between the panes offers more excellent insulation and soundproofing qualities to your home.
The cost of double glazing is slightly more than single glazing, but can be more cost effective long term.
Triple Glazing
Triple glazing uses the same concept as double glazing but with an extra pane. This offers even greater insulation and soundproofing for your home.
FAQs
Should I install a traffic door in my extension's bifold doors?
A single-traffic door can be a great addition to oversized bifold doors. This type of bifold configuration adds convenience for people who need to get in and out without opening the entire door system.
Traffic doors aren't essential, and it will be down to personal preference.
Do I need planning permission for bifold doors on an extension?
If you plan on building an extension to your property, you will need planning permission if it is over 1 story. If you already have an extension, you may not need planning permission to install bifold doors.
This will be dependent on whether you need to create a new door space or plan to expand the existing one.
Listed buildings or those in conservation areas may require permission to adjust existing extensions. If you're unsure, contact your local planning authority for expert advice.
Failure to get permission could result in an order to remove the work, which will be carried out at your expense.
Should extension bifold doors open in or out?
Choosing whether the bifold door systems open inwards or out will depend on how much space your house extension has given you.
If indoor space is limited, opening out can help you make the most of it. You'll have the option of opening in or out, so you should give it some thought before your installation.
Are bifold doors secure for home extensions?
Bifold doors can feature toughened security glass and multi-point locking mechanisms. This provides excellent security and peace of mind for the homeowner as bifold doors are secure doors with locking solid systems.
Conclusion
A new extension can completely transform your home.
Bifold doors are a great option if you want to make the most of the space inside and enjoy more natural light.
As the examples above show, bifold doors offer many choices. You can choose the perfect configuration and material for your home.
Bifold doors allow you to create a flow from inside your home to your outside space.
This is perfect for the summertime and can improve your home's overall style and value.
Many homeowners will consider several design ideas when creating a home extension, and bifold doors offer many benefits and look great.
