Both bi-fold and patio doors are a great choice to open up your home and create a brighter living space. Installing either will provide you with multiple benefits, such as easy access to your garden, perfect for summer barbecues with the family, etc.
In the past few years, sustainability has taken a central space in most areas of life. As you can imagine the world of windows and doors is no exception. The material in which modern windows are made is especially important when considering energy efficiency and sustainability. So, does investing in a windowed door align with current sustainability requirements and which option is the best choice to maximise energy efficiency?
Modern window and door installations come with better quality glazing and increased insulation, meaning there is less heat loss and energy bills are lowered. In colder months, any draughts caused by single-pane glass from older installations will be averted by the fitting of new double or triple-glazed windows.
The difference between bi-fold doors and sliding patio doors:
Bi-fold doors contain multiple window panels that fold over and stack when open, while sliding patio doors have an alternative mechanism where two glass panels are slid across on opening.
When installed correctly using the right measurements and quality materials, both doors have the ability to be a great option for your home to offer both security and insulating properties.
At the Essex Window Store, we use aluminium to create the slim frames for our bi-fold doors which fold away and give the appearance of an open walkway right through to your garden. Aluminium is a quality, lightweight but secure material which is effective at containing the heat within your home as well as providing maximum security.
For our sliding patio doors, we provide them in either of the materials: uPVC or aluminium. We ensure they all have insulating frames and secure gaskets to help your doors withhold against the elements.
Aluminium or uPVC for energy efficiency?
When it comes to energy efficiency, there is not a lot of differentiating between sliding patio doors and bi-fold doors except for their materials. The type of material used on your door frames is a factor in determining their levels of energy efficiency and how well they contain heat.
uPVC is an ‘engineered plastic’, un-plasticised for flexibility and sturdiness, often used within the fixture of doors and windows. It is known to have high resistance to moisture and often lasts for a long period.
However, aluminium used for windows and doors is also a great option- being both lightweight and strong. Aluminium can be more costly than uPVC but often ensures high levels of security and longer-term durability.
uPVC can be more energy efficient in some cases since it is a poor conductor of heat so prevents heat or cool air from passing through to the other side. This means that whatever season you are in, you can benefit from this aspect. For a more affordable price, uPVC will tick many boxes and will fulfil your requirements.
Both doors will be able to provide you with security, insulation and clear views of the outside. In terms of energy efficiency, both doors are very similar. Deciding on whether you would want a more affordable type of door and material or to invest in a more expensive option all depends on your budget, and what you think would work best for your home.
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