As oak folding sliding doors continue to increase in popularity its great to give customers some ideas of what to look for in a folding sliding door before they buy. Here are some pointers to guide you through the specifiying and buying process with wooden bifold doors:

Get the size right

As with any timber product, always look at standard product sizes. Often we get customers calling to ask whether we make bespoke products because the opening they have had formed in their new extension is of a “non-standard” size. You need to be aware that, at drawing stage, working with the Architect, if you specify a standard sized product YOU WILL SAVE THOUSANDS OF POUNDS against a product that might be just a few inches or centimetres different in size. Look at the VibrantDoors.co.uk product selector video for helping find the right size for you.

Make sure the lintel is correct
Make sure the lintel specified and installed is strong enough for the job when using top hung systems, our preferred system, because of its smooth trouble free operation – refer to our lintel guidance sheet for more detail, to ensure that once installed you have years of trouble free operation.

Think about the opening direction
Always consider the door opening pattern – most standard systems will give you an option to use one of the doors as a normal access door without having to open all the doors. We have seen instances however on made to measure products, where this is not the case and there is regret afterwards where homeowners have to fold open two of their bifold doors to get in and out of the house.

Don’t forget the furniture!
Another consideration on size and door pattern is how you see the house laid out internally – the positions of tables and other furniture play a key part here. It’s no good designing and installing a particular door layout if you cannot easily get to the normal access door because furniture is in the way! Many “off the shelf” folding patio doors like the LPD NUVU range are fully reversible so the folding doors can open either to the left or right as you look at them. This is decided when you install the hardware in the head track during installation. This isn’t the case with made to measure joinery, where once manufactured, you have fixed which door opens and on what side of the set. So if you have to choose made to measure, make sure you bear this in mind. Check the quote from the manufacturer and check whether the opening pattern is either as viewed “from the inside” or as “viewed from the outside”. Overlooking this can be a costly and time-consuming mistake.

Choose the right joiner and ask for advice if you need it
Choosing the right person to install is incredibly important. A time served joiner should easily be able to install your oak folding sliding door. The key elements for installation for any joiner, or professional DIY’er are:
1. Read the instructions.
2 Read the instructions and
3 Read and follow the instructions!!
Here at Vibrant Doors we are here to help, if you have any kind of technical question either during specification with your architect, before /during purchasing or even during installation – don’t guess! Just give us a call on 01332 239941 and we’ll be happy to help. A simple phone call can lead you in the right direction as you’ll get advice from professionals who work with these products every day.

Choose the best brand
When selecting a door brand, there are lots of things to consider:

1) Support offered by the supplier before you purchase.
Do they know the technicalities of the product or are they pure salesman?

2) Does the door come with a guarantee?
Strong brands such as Climadoor and NUVU give you a really good product specification and some kind of guarantee on quality and reliability. It’s difficult to say what guarantees you get with made to measure products from local joinery factories, but the great thing about the bigger suppliers is that they offer good guarantees like 2 years on factory stain finishes, 5 years on factory paint finishes, 10 years against manufacturing defects and 5 years on glass units!

Be sure to get a written guarantee from your local joinery factory on any made to measure products, and particularly on softwood products where all timber should be treated to ensure it has a 30 year life guarantee against fungal rot and decay.

3) Is the door prefinished?
Most branded products are prefinished and we would strongly recommend purchasing prefinished product. There will always be a big market for unfinished products, particularly for those who like to decorate to a particular colour maybe to match existing – but always seek the manufacturers advice on which stains or paints to purchase to ensure that you get the best from your product.

4) How secure is the door?
For those who are security conscious, always look for multi-point locking and key lockable drop bolts wherever you purchase from. Peace of mind and added security is well worth any additional charges.

5) Are the doors energy efficient?

Consideration of thermal performance is another issue to think about. A doorset is Part L compliant currently at a U value of 2.0 w/m2k where the glass surface area is more than 50% of the door, such as the majority of external folding sliding doors. Windows have a different minimum specification of 1.8W/m2K on new build in England and Wales (1.6w/m2K in Scotland) and sometimes building designers and architects specify patio doors such as French, or folding doors as if they were a window.

However, the building designer (on new build extensions or new houses) takes on the responsibility for the U value calculation of the whole structure, so it really does depend on what he/she decides in the overall calculation. So on new build applications be sure to check the thermal performance specified by your Architect before purchasing to ensure Part L compliance.

In replacement and general refurbishment projects these rules do not apply, a different set of rules apply which state that the minium U value requirement is 1.8W/m2K

6) Last but not least – what does it look like?
Of course there is always “the look” of the product you are purchasing, and this may well be a key factor to you. There are many standard off the shelf brands available, offered in solid oak, engineered oak veneered, hardwood and softwood and the finish you are looking to achieve plays a key part. If you like the natural timber look, such as oak then solid oak products are premium (you really should look for laminated solid oak), followed by engineered oak veneered products, then the more easily paintable softwood or hardwood door systems.

Whichever product you take, always enjoy the benefits of wooden folding sliding doors systems. Good luck with your purchase!
John – Vibrant Doors