Which Material is Right For Your Bifold Door Project?

Bifold doors come in a range of configurations, and there are lots of different materials and styles. While the majority of the door’s construction is glass, the frames are equally important, since they tone and match the rest of your home.
At Your Price Bifolds, we price bifold doors in plastic (uPVC), aluminium and timber. What should you pick?

Colour

While colour is a factor with bifold materials, they can all be made in different solid hues. Even plastic doors can be manufactured in mock wood shades, although natural timber is arguably the most impressive finish of all.
When advising customers, it comes down to versatility. Aluminium bifolds can be manufactured in hundreds of colours, so they are the best option for very modern settings where bolder colours can be used. While some installers only offer white and grey, we offer a full range of 150 RAL colours.
If you want classic looks that match the rest of your home, uPVC could be the perfect choice. White may not be the most exciting choice, but it gives the home great kerb appeal. uPVC bifolds are also available in grey, which gives the windows a mock aluminium look with a slightly thicker frame.
We’ve written a comprehensive blog on bifold door colours, including details of the RAL colour system.

Maintenance

Plastic windows are popular because they’re virtually maintenance free, which means they just need a wipe down when you wash the glass. The same is true of uPVC bifolds. Today’s plastic frames are subject to stringent quality standards, so they should stand the test of time. If you have the bifolds professionally installed, there should be no problem.
Wooden framed bifolds need the same upkeep as timber window frames, so that means you’ll need to be on the ball with inspections, treatment and repairs.
Aluminium is incredibly strong, so it’s highly unlikely that your bifold door frames will be damaged in normal use. Again, a wipe with a damp cloth is usually all that’s needed.

Recycling

If you want to reduce your impact on the environment, aluminium doors are the ideal solution. Aluminium is very lightweight and easy to work with, so there are less fuel costs when transporting it. When the doors have to be taken out, many decades from now, the frames will be easy to recycle.
Wooden window frames are also easy to dispose of, but uPVC tends to be the most difficult to recycle.

Your Price

In general, uPVC doors are cheapest. If cost is your main criteria, you’ll get more for your money with plastic providing you choose standard white for your frames.
For customers who want a upgraded finish, aluminium is the perfect choice. While it’s more expensive than plastic, the views offered are much better, because the bifold door frames are so much narrower. With so many colour choices, it’s easy to see why aluminium frames are frequently chosen for shopfronts, hotels and schools.
Your Price Bifolds would be pleased to work with your budget and design a set of bifolds that’s perfect for your home. For more information, give us a call and we’ll give you an estimate quickly.