The composite doors, as with aluminum and timber, are fitted with a 3-point locking mechanism to meet insurance companies’ requirements. These systems can accommodate glazed units up to 36mm allowing different types of solar controlled, tinted glass, and triple glazed (3G) options to be integrated.


Glass options in folding sliding doors are of particular importance


when you start to consider U-values, particularly for projects that specifically require very low values. U-values are going to continue to increase in importance for architectural projects especially as the Part L Regulations are about to change with regards to domestic and commercial properties. As of October 2010 dwellings will have to achieve a 25% improvement on efficiency over dwellings in 2006, thermal bridging in folding sliding doors will therefore become a critical point. New build windows, doors and curtain walls need to have an overall maximum U-value of 2.0W/m2


K. The windows for domestic


refurbishment will have to achieve an overall maximum of 1.6W/ m2 the doors 1.8W/m2


overall maximum u-value of 1.8W/m2 K and


K. Non-domestic refurbishment windows to achieve an K and high usage door


regulations have been relaxed from 2.2W/ m2K to 3.5W/ m2


K.


This continued focus on U-values is showing through many projects as clients become more ecologically minded. Combined with the Part L changes this will mean that architects will have to further focus on the features and specification of the products that they choose. Partly through the design of the system, plus the addition of incorporating high spec glass this will enable some folding sliding doors to still be used on the most demanding projects. Specifically aluminum systems can be considered to have problems achieving highly demanding U-values. However, with the right choice of system design and by incorporating high performance glass, it is possible to achieve levels as low as 1.1W/m2


K and sometimes even lower. So, ultimately when it comes to folding sliding doors, their features,


U-values and any special design requirements, research and looking at these differences are essential to making the right choice for a successful project.


Kevin Farrow - Marketing and Design, Sunfold Systems


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