caliwag

I think I'm in the minority on this forum for having a 5m set of bi-folds installed in my new build.

 

Aesthetically the 1m width of each of the doors matches the sashes on the rest of the elevation where large sliders would not have done. The U Value of the Solarlux SL97 that I went with is equivalent to other options of glazing, and there's no noticeable impact on airthightness, although I concede no air test has yet been done.

 

As to their use, we only moved in towards the end of the summer and the outside area is yet to be finished, but we did open them up a couple of times and I'm sure we will be doing regularly once the warm weather is back with us.

Hi, I have just installed two bi fold doors from kitchen and lounge but they open into a large conservatory ( un heated) across the back of our new build, well they will next year when I get time to build the conservatory ?. I had mine made from oak and specified double compression seals not brushes as they quickly start leaking from my reading. The conservatory will also have two sets of double doors opening to the garden so should give us lots of flexibility on the use of the space. Ours is a cottage type of construction but everyone thinks ours is in keeping with the whole build.

Yeah, nice one Joe 90... splendid doors, and to open into a conservatory really does make sense...thanks for posting

We have a 4.5m slider along one side of our kitchen out onto a courtyard. It's rarely opened - when the weather is good enough it can be a bit too warm to have the doors open, given the insulation levels in the house!

 

The wall at 90 deg to that has two floor-to-ceiling windows and a glass door of the same size. We use that door far more often than the slider.

 

If we were doing it all again I doubt I'd have a slider or any glazed opening as big as that we presently have.

I think it's down to lifestyle. If you like to entertain then they're great for extending the formal and informal parts (dining room and patio) together to form one larger function space. 

Probably good to have the option of opening up to the elements, but also more importantly not to forget that you can simply open the first unit, much like a regular single width door, for fast / easy access in or out, without having to slide the whole thing or open any other mechanisms. 

They can be fab, had them in a small 4 bed townhouse on Basingstoke. Used them all the time to link the (tiny) garden and the smallish 6m*6m living dining kitchen space. 

 

They created a real wow space here. 

 

Went with a many sets of French doors on the new build. Mostly a cost / clutter decision. Bofolds don’t have have a lot of hinges / brackets nobs and bits on them. Didn’t really fit with the velfac clutter free look.