FOLDING & SLIDING DOORS 49
LET THE LIGHT SHINE IN
Steve Bromberg of Express Bi-folding Doors explains the options available when looking at specifying “expansive” glazed doors to open up homes.
pen-plan living has risen drastically in popularity over recent years, with homeowners choosing light and bright designs that maximise space, as well as increasing social functionality within the home.
O
Homes that open up effortlessly to the outdoors are highly sought-after and as a result developers planning layouts and room flow need to carefully consider this.
BI-FOLDING OR SLIDING?
There are two main types of expansive glazed doors currently available on the market – sliding and bi-folding. So, beyond the obvious, what exactly are the differences between the two? Bi-folding doors are made up of panels connected by an aluminium framework, able to fold together in a zig-zag when fully
open, revealing a completely open space and full access to the outdoors.
WHAT’S BEST FOR THE PROJECT? First, consider the amount of space you have to work with. Are you planning a wall made entirely out of glazed doors, or are you just incorporating glazed doors within a smaller section of the wall? If the space you have is less than four metres wide, bi-folds might be the best option. With spaces of this size, bi-folds look much more impressive than sliding doors when open, creating a real wow-factor and transforming the space completely. They help to open up the indoors to a garden or outdoor space, but it’s important to remem- ber, however, that with bi-folding doors comes additional framework, which may detract from a seamless view.
Sliding doors often look better when they are closed, as the large panels and minimal framework facilitate virtually uninterrupted views. If the space you have for installing glazed doors is over four metres wide, sliding doors could be the best choice. Ultimately, if you have space for either, it often comes down to personal aesthetic preferences. Think of it as the wider the door, the wider the clear opening. For a wall of windows, especially when including a corner, sliding designs will be best suited. Sliding doors can be placed at a right angle without needing a corner post, so the ceiling will look like it is floating, making it perfect for an extension with more than one wall facing a garden or outdoor space. However, conventional sliding doors will usually block part of the aperture, so you’re not able to open the entire run. You could opt for a triple track system, which gives you a 66 per cent clear opening. Some of the latest designs even allow four panels to stack behind one another, leaving you with a 75 per cent clear opening.
Steve Bromberg is general manager at Express Bi-folding Doors
WWW.HBDONLINE.CO.UK Enq. 167
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
