TYPE OF DOORS

TYPE OF DOORS

CUSTOM BIFOLD DOORS
Transform your Living Area
Bifold Doors

Unlike sliding doors where only half the total area can be opened, folding doors open completely and create large panoramic openings into your garden or yard. Bifold doors consist of two or more door connected panels that open concertina style, folding away flat to one side when open. Folding patio doors are the best way to get the most natural light and largest uninterrupted views. 

Style, Versatility and Quality

With their accordion like opening and closing system, folding doors were only used on the interior in the past. Today's modern technology and manufacturing techniques means their security and the seals between each panel can match any other style. Bi-fold doors can be opened completely with all doors stowed to the side. This means you get 100% of the overall door space in contrast to sliding doors. However, since bi-folding doors are made from a series of individual sections, they can also be opened partially, panel by panel.

Today, bi-folding doors are ideal for patio doors and balconies which connect the interior of your home with the exterior. They add lots of light and space, both particularly important in urban areas.

Why Choose Bi-fold Doors vs French and Sliding Doors?

Compared to sliding doors, bi-folding doors open entirely whereas sliders can only open over half of the overall door space. Since folding doors are made up of several panels, they have more locking points than sliding ones and also make it easier to install blinds. There is also no threshold as they are flush with the floor making them automatically barrier-free whereas sliding doors have to be additionally configured to be so.

Security

There are several ways of enhancing the burglary protection. For instance, additional fittings can be installed such as multiple locking points and extra security pins to foil attempts to lift the leaves out of the guiding rails. The Bifold frame and leafs are firmly connected, preventing would-be intruders from entering without the use of heavy tools.

Similar to most doors featuring large glazed areas, bifold systems should be fitted with special laminated safety glass on the exterior pane to ensure adequate security. Laminated glass is made from two glass sheets bonded together under heat with a thin layer of clear plastic material, either polyvinyl butyrate or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) between. This is what prevents shattering giving it the typical spiderweb pattern when cracked. It can often be found in car windshields or homes in areas requiring hurricane proof and storm windows.

Thermal & Acoustic Insulation

Modern manufacturing techniques and fenestration technology means that bifold doors can offer excellent insulation values. With high quality seals between all sections, they protect against air infiltration and energy loss. Double and triple glazing can then be additionally used to increase energy performance and improve U-values.

The U-value describes the amount of heat transmitted through one square metre of surface area within a one-second time frame. Thus, lower values are better.

Filling the space between the individual glass panes with a gas such as argon can further improve the u-value of a bifold system. Argon is a heavy gas that is much less conductive than standard air. Increasing the gaps between pane as well as pane thickness also leads to better heat insulation and sound reduction.

PREMIUM FRENCH DOORS
Bring the Outdoors In
French Doors

French doors consist of one or two hinged casements designed to swing open like a window and are most typically used for balconies and patios. They link your interior with the exterior and create a larger uninterrupted space than a standard door making them ideal for areas with more traffic such as access to the garden. 

French Doors: Overview & Advantages

French doors come in single and double leaf versions which swing inwards or outwards on hinges in the same way a casement window would. Each door features a large glazed surface which provides lots of natural light and great views while allowing easy access the exterior. With both doors open, they offer a larger uninterrupted opening area which is ideal for balconies, bedrooms and areas that get more traffic such as patios or gardens.

Advantages include:

• In many spatial situations, there may not be sufficient room for tilt-and-turn systems.
• Can be installed in smaller openings
• Offer tilt and turn functionality
• A better view and more light
• More ventilation
• Optional glazing bars to match historical styles (e.g. Georgian)
• Faster and simpler to use than sliding doors in high traffic areas
• Open the entire available space

French Doors vs. Other Patio Door Types

The size of the installation area available plays a large role in determining what door types are available. French doors are ideal for medium spaces that are bigger than a single entry door but perhaps too small for sliding doors to make sense. They can also feature sidelights and transom windows above meaning they offer a great deal of flexibility for fitting any location.

With a simple turn of the handle, each of the two doors swing open immediately creating a large open area, and importantly, using all of the available space. Sliding doors in contrast always leave half of the overall space closed. Bi-fold doors also open to 100% of the available space but are suited for large wall openings not found on balconies or many patios.

Glazing Choices for Energy Efficiency, Security & Soundproofing

French doors typically feature large glass surfaces to provide the most natural light possible and the best views. Since most of the doors' total surface area is glass, your choice of glass plays a major role in overall energy efficiency, U-values and security.

With external doors, it is important to ensure that energy is not lost, whether that be cool air in summer or warm air in winter. Choosing double or triple glazing will go a long way towards ensuring this as will optional non-conductive warm edge spacers and argon filling between panes.

Hardware & Fittings

Large glass surfaces can be a potential vulnerability depending on their location. A second or third floor balcony door presents little risk while ground level doors should be configured with further security options. These include multipoint locking, shootbolts, locking handles and concealed hinges. Laminated safety glass should be installed on the outermost pane at least in order to provide an added layer of security and make breaking the glass difficult.

MODERN LIFT AND SLIDE DOORS
Transform Your Living Space
Lift and Slide Doors Systems

Transform your living space with more natural light and large openings. Our stunning lift and slide doors are bold, beautiful and come equipped with the finest German made fittings. With premium design and excellent energy performance, they add style, flexibility and security to any home while emphasizing your home's connection to the outdoors. 

Overview & Advantages

Lift & slide patio doors complement our range of custom high performance windows and doors. They are made exclusively in Europe and feature a range of security options ensuring that each one meets our high standards for quality control and of course, your individual requirements. In contrast to old fashioned sliding doors that move along a bottom track horizontally, lift and slide doors feature a different opening mechanism that improves usability, security and energy-efficiency.

By rotating the handle, the entire sliding sash is effortlessly lifted off the ground and slid to the side. Because the sash is physically lifted off the ground to slide, it is also lowered back down when closed (whether partially or completely). This means the full weight of the sash presses downwards creating an airtight seal, eliminating draughts and energy loss.

Lift & Slide vs. Standard Patio Doors

Standard sliding doors move along tracks on the floor and provide little mechanical assistance in opening. That means pushing the full weight of the door which not only creates extra work, but also rubs against and wears out the seals. Over time, traditional sliding patio doors begin to leak air due to deformed or worn seals and can allow moisture in. This leads to wasted energy, cold spots inside and eventual repairs.

By turning the handle of a lift and slide door 180 degrees, the sash is lifted up and can effortlessly glide along a series of rollers in the track. This means it slides free of the weather seals eliminating wear and making opening and closing easier for you. The door can also be lowered and locked partially open. Since the full weight is pressing downwards, which can be up to several hundred kilograms in some cases, it is extremely difficult to move. Thus, you can safely leave it ajar with peace of mind.

Glazing Choices for Energy Efficiency, Security & Soundproofing

Lift and Slide doors feature large glass surfaces to provide the most natural light possible and the best views. Since most of the doors' total surface area is glass, your choice of glass plays a major role in overall energy efficiency and final U-values. Triple glazing with low Ug-values combined with non-conductive warm edge spacers represent the best combination for thermal performance. Additionally, the gaps between each pane can be filled with argon, a noble gas which is less conductive than normal air. 

Hardware & Fittings

Large glass surfaces can be a potential vulnerability depending on their location. A second floor balcony door presents little risk while ground level doors should require more security. This includes multipoint locking, shootbolts, locking handles and concealed hinges. Laminated safety glass should be installed on the outermost pane at least in order to provide an added layer of security and make breaking the glass difficult. All of these options and more are available and allow for a completely individual configuration.

TILT AND SLIDE DOORS
One Door, Two Opening Options

High quality construction, thermal integrity and ease of use are all standard characteristics of our tilt and slide doors. At first glance, they are visually similar to regular patio doors. However, they bring the functionality of tilt and turn windows to patio doors. Advanced Europe made frames offer strength, durability and low maintenance. Custom built to whatever sizes your project calls for, these doors become signatures in every home. With the turn of a simple ergonomic handle, you can choose between sliding the door horizontally or tilting it inwards for ventilation. 

Advantages of Tilt and Slide Doors

Tilt and slide doors are unique, combining a new sliding style with the tilt and turn functionality of European windows. The sash slides free of the frame on rails, making it much easier than traditional sliders which require effort to move back and forth. This makes sliding easier and improves sealing.
A turn of the handle will tilt the sash inwards for ventilation and provide continuous fresh air while preventing children and pets from getting in or out. This distinct combination of useful features makes tilt and slide doors the ideal alternative to standard sliding doors. Their advantages include:

• Space saving with no swinging leaf
• Simple operation with a single ergonomic handle
• Effortless sliding
• Robust design and weather resistant
• Available in four material options
• Excellent insulation values
• Double and triple glazing available
• Custom configurations in up to four sections
  

Tilt & Slide vs. other Patio Doors

Standard sliding doors move along tracks on the floor and provide little mechanical assistance. That means pushing the full weight of the door along the track, wearing out the seals. Over time, traditional sliding doors leak air due to damaged seals and can allow moisture in. This leads to wasted energy, cold spots inside and eventual repairs.

The tilt and slide mechanism is different. The sash slides up and outwards horizontally, not along the floor. This makes it easier to operate and eliminates wear on the seals. Similar to windows, with the sash in place, you can rotate the handle 180 degrees and tilt the door inwards, allowing ventilation without unintentionally letting insects in, and keeping pets or people in or out

Glazing Types for Energy Efficiency, Security & Soundproofing

Tilt and Slide doors feature large glass surfaces to provide lots of natural light. Since most of the total surface area is glass, glazing plays a major role in its overall energy efficiency. Triple glazing with low Ug-values combined with non-conductive warm edge spacers are the best combination for thermal performance. Additionally, the gaps between each pane can be filled with argon, a noble gas which is less conductive than normal air.