Which Type of Material is Best for your Bifold Door?

Bifold doors are becoming more and more popular year-on-year. They look great as an alternative to patio doors and let lots of natural light in so you can enjoy the views from your garden. Choosing a bifold door for your property isn’t hard, but you should take some time to consider the material you want to go for.

There are three different types of material you could choose for your bifold doors. But which is best for you? Read our simple guide to find out how to choose the right material.

Aluminium

Aluminium bifold doors look fantastic and bold in a variety of styles of home. It is strong and durable which allows for slim sight lines, maximising the amount of light you can get into your home and providing you with wonderful views. You’ll find that aluminium is resistant to expansion and contraction even in direct sunlight, so you won’t have to do much to maintain your frames.

You might be thinking that you can only choose dark and metallic colours for your aluminium bifold doors, but that’s no longer true. Now there are a range of colours to choose from to suit every home.

The only downside to an aluminium bifold door is that they are more expensive than other materials. But since they are easy to maintain and are resistant to extreme temperatures, aluminium could be cheaper in the long run as you may have to replace other types much sooner.

uPVC

If you’re looking for a standard, low-cost bifold door, uPVC could be the choice for you. They are easy to maintain as they only need a wipe clean to keep them looking good.

uPVC is generally seen as a low-quality material, as they can start to yellow after less than 10 years. They may also warp and bend in direct sunlight, which could make them difficult to close. They might cost you more over time because you’ll have to replace them sooner than aluminium doors, but if you have a low budget and are happy to replace sooner, uPVC is a good option.

Timber

A timber bifold door looks stunning as wood makes a beautiful finish. You can choose from a variety of stains and colours to suit your home – there is no need to go with a natural wood colour, although many customers choose timber for its natural beauty.

If you buy a high-quality timber bifold door, the wood will be engineered from different types of wood and glued together in layers of a material called polyurethane. This makes the doors less likely to be affected by extreme weather conditions as they are protected from moisture, stopping swelling.

Engineered timber costs more than normal timber, but it could cost less in the long term as you will have fewer problems with a high-quality timber door. Even engineered timber can be subject to warping, so bear this is mind if you live in a particularly wet part of the country. Don’t forget that you will have to maintain timber bifold doors more, as they will require regular staining.

The choice is yours

Now you know the different materials available to you for your bifold door, it’s up to you to decide which one suits your budget, style of property and your tastes.

If you need some help making the decision, there are plenty of bifold door specialists in our network that will be happy to advise you and provide you with a no-obligation quote.