A bifold patio door utilises natural light while providing a modern aesthetic for your home. Aluminium, uPVC and timber are all extremely popular materials for bifold doors. Whilst they each offer their own unique benefits; it is important to consider how they compare before choosing your bifold door.
Here, we discuss the properties and benefits of each, and why aluminium is a high-quality option for bifold doors.
In this guide:
Read our comparison summary of all three materials.
Find out the main benefits of buying an aluminium bifold door.
Find out how to identify high-quality vs low-quality aluminium.
Read how bifolding door materials compare in terms of cost.
Find out more about timber-effect aluminium frames and their benefits.
Read about how the energy efficiency of aluminium compares to that of timber and uPVC.
Read a summary of our comparison guide.
Find out the benefits of choosing the Origin Bifold Door.
A summary: Comparing aluminium, uPVC and timber bi-fold doors
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Flexibility of shape and layout |
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Read our guide to choosing a high-quality bifold door material here.
What are the main benefits of choosing aluminium for your bifold door?
It offers incredible strength
Aluminium gets its strength from its chemical composition and how it is manufactured. Aluminium is mixed with high-strength alloys and additives are used to increase strength. The high-quality material is made even stronger by processing which inhibits movement of atoms, strengthening the finished product.
Aluminium is used in all sorts of high-strength applications including skyscrapers, aircrafts, spacecraft and shark cages! Aluminium is also one of the most environmentally friendly metals on the planet. Find out more about aluminium and how it is recycled here.
Aluminium frames can accommodate complex layouts
Aluminium is a flexible material, and this means frames can be created to accommodate complex layouts. If windows in a standard size and shape won’t fit your room, aluminium frames are flexible enough to be customised.
For example, removable corner posts can be used to open up the full corner of a house. Take a look at our recent case study to see an example of a moving corner post bi-fold door.
Aluminium bifolds can offer excellent views
Aluminium is incredibly strong, so the frames can be very narrow without compromising security or performance. The innate strength of aluminium also allows for larger door or window panels, meaning more glass and thus a better view. Aluminium can also accommodate complex layouts, or configurations, meaning corner doors, bay doors and larger door sets over 7 m can all be easily achieved. So, whatever your space, aluminium frames make the most of it to enhance your view.
High-quality aluminium vs low-quality aluminium
High-quality aluminium | Low-quality aluminium |
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Made from prime billets rather than melted down scrap aluminium. | Made from scrap aluminium that is melted down again, compromising strength. |
High extrusion run quantity. | Lower extrusion run quantity. |
Very strong, won’t be compromised during powder coating process. | More vulnerable to becoming pitted during powder coating, meaning a less smooth finish. |
Origin only uses high-quality aluminium made from prime billets in all its products.
Are you looking for a durable aluminium bifold door? Explore our aluminium bifold door range!
Created bespoke to ensure you can make the most of your space, Origin bifold doors range from one to eight door sets and individual doors can be manufactured as narrow as 400mm, as wide as 1200mm and as tall as 3000mm. You can choose how they open and close – whether they fold in or out, and how they slide – to meet your exact needs.
Shop our aluminium bifold doors today.
Cost
Aluminium vs uPVC on cost
The initial cost of aluminium frames is more than uPVC frames. However, the strength and durability of aluminium means the frames last longer, becoming a better long-term investment and potentially increasing the value of your property.
uPVC doors will need replacing sooner because the frames:
are more susceptible to warping, expanding and contracting
tend to look more worn over time when compared with timber or aluminium. Often uPVC gets a pink or yellow tinge.
Timber vs aluminium on cost
Whilst aluminium is sometimes more expensive than timber – timber does not offer the same longevity. Timber frames absorb water, causing warping and rotting over time. Timber can also become infested with fungus or wood beetles, which can cost a lot of money to treat. Maintaining timber frames to prevent, or treat, rot and infestations can also be costly.
Origin Bi-folding Doors come with a guarantee of up to 20 years, so you can rest assured that you are covered for a long time.
What are timber-effect aluminium frames?
Timber-effect aluminium frames have the elegant look of hardwoods such as oak, so you can still get the aesthetic of timber with all the benefits that come with high-quality, low-maintenance aluminium.
To find out more about our wood-grain finishes and available colours, visit our bifold door colour guide.
Frames can be finished to complement your existing windows
Because aluminium frames can come in a range of finishes, even if you have uPVC or wooden windows, you will be able to find a finish that matches them. Origin’s Hipca White finish will match well with uPVC windows, and the range of wood-grain finishes available should offer you an option for matching the finish of the aluminium frames with existing timber windows.
You can find out more about our powder coating process here.
Shop our full range of aluminium bifold doors.
Aluminium vs uPVC vs timber on maintenance
Aluminium frames are extremely easy to maintain, and only need occasional cleaning with light, soapy water. For more information on how to clean this type of frame, read our cleaning and maintenance FAQs.
Solid hardwood frames, although beautiful, require regular maintenance to remain in good condition both aesthetically and operationally.
Frames made of uPVC are undoubtedly the least expensive option, but they are likely to look tired after a few years, despite often coming with a guarantee of 10 years or more.
The energy efficiency of aluminium
Modern aluminium doors are fitted with a thermal break, which resists thermal transfer from one side of the door to the other.
How does the thermal break work?
The polyamide thermal break is a less conductive material than aluminium, so it creates a barrier that separates the aluminium frame into two pieces. This reduces the flow of thermal energy through the aluminium, which means more heat is retained inside the home.
Aluminium carries the benefit that bi-fold doors can be fitted with triple glazing.
Because of its strength, it means the material can support the extra weight of triple-glazed units.
If you’re serious about drastically improving the energy efficiency of your home, then triple-glazed doors will offer greater thermal efficiency.
How energy efficient are timber and uPVC frames?
Timber and uPVC doors offer similar results to each other when comparing thermal efficiency. However, in certain weather conditions, timber can contract, meaning small gaps can appear between seals. This allows draughts to enter the home, which can compromise the thermal efficiency further.
Aluminium bi-fold doors offer the highest level of durability when compared with uPVC and timber.
Aluminium frames are naturally strong, and are powder coated to create a highly durable finish that won’t fade over time. The tough surface of the frames is guaranteed to last up to 20 years.
Timber frames can be quite tough, but they are subject to a number of risks unique to timber doors that can affect the door’s durability, including water leaks, contaminants and warping.
uPVC can degrade when exposed to strong sunlight for extended lengths of time as the sun can discolour the frames and cause them to fade. As uPVC ages, exposure to extreme weather conditions can also cause it to warp, which can impact on the performance of the doors.
Read our bifold door thermal efficiency guide here.
Key points: aluminium vs uPVC vs timber
- Aluminium is more expensive than uPVC but will last longer so is a better investment.
- Aluminium is very strong and when powder coated will last decades.
- uPVC is often cheaper than both timber and aluminium.
- An aluminium door needs very little maintenance, just the occasional clean. This makes it ideal if you are looking for a high-quality door that requires minimal maintenance.
- Aluminium won’t warp due to weather conditions; doors with a timber or uPVC frame are more vulnerable to this.
- Because aluminium is so strong, the frames can be thin, meaning an aluminium folding door provides a wider view.
- Aluminium is available in lots of different colours, as well as a wood-grain finish if you like the look of a timber frame but want to enjoy the benefits of aluminium.
- Aluminium offers the best view, as the doors can be extremely narrow without compromising on security.
Not all aluminium is the same! Click here to jump down to the main differences between high-quality and low-quality aluminium.
The Origin Bifold Door
Here at Origin Global, we offer bespoke, high-quality external bifold doors that bring timeless style and much-valued natural light into your home. We use aluminium door frames for their excellent thermal efficiency, low maintenance, strength and aesthetic. Moreover, our bifold doors can achieve a U-value of 1.1W/(m²K) with triple glazing. For context, the new building regulations require windows and glass doors to have a U-value of 1.4 or less.
Origin Bifold Doors have a secure lock with multi-point locking systems, heavy-duty handles, and hinges. They pass the PAS 24 test, meaning the doors can protect your home from intruders and withstand harsh weather conditions. You can also be confident that our doors will stand the test of time, so you can enjoy the benefits of bifolds years before you need to sell.
Shop the Origin Bifold Door today.
