There’s no denying – timber doors and windows offer a property a traditionally elegant finish. Generally sold as a 'luxe' option, timber is often chosen for its natural colouring, helping to soften properties features, both old and new.
However, aluminium is another popular material that offers a multitude of benefits and unique offerings. So, how do timber and aluminium compare to each other?
In this guide:
Find out more about the benefits of aluminium and timber bifold doors and how they compare to each other.
Read the differences in aesthetics between both materials.
Find out which material takes the lead in terms of strength.
Read how both materials compare in terms of thermal efficiency.
Find out which material is easier to maintain.
Find out whether aluminium or timber is the most durable option.
Read our summary of aluminium vs timber bifold doors.
What are the key benefits of aluminium and timber bifold doors?
Aluminium external door benefits
Excellent lifespan. Powder coated aluminium is corrosion resistant which means it can offer a much longer lifespan and guarantee than other materials. Read more about our powder coated finishing here.
Extremely slim sightlines. Aluminium is a very strong and durable material, meaning that less material is required to support the glass so that you can enjoy greater views.
Significantly lower maintenance than many other materials. Aluminium requires much less maintenance than other materials, such as timber.
Environmentally friendly. Aluminium is one of the most environmentally friendly materials available for bifold doors and can be easily recycled. Find out more about the benefits of aluminium bifold doors here.
Contemporary style – aluminium is timelessly stylish and suitable in almost any modern home, adding a sleek, minimalistic aesthetic.
Aluminium frames are naturally strong, and are powder coated to create a highly durable finish. The tough surface of the frames is guaranteed to last up to 20 years.
Are you looking for a modern, durable external patio door?
Our recommendation:
Unlike any other door, our aluminium bi-folds provide a completely uninterrupted view when open, and offer the flexibility to enjoy your indoor and outdoor space as one. Our doors are also available in 150 RAL colours, allowing you to find the perfect style for your home.
Shop our aluminium bifold door range.
What makes aluminium so strong?
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. Aluminium 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.
Timber bifold door benefits
The key benefits of timber bifold doors include:
- Provide a rustic, traditional feel. Wooden bifold doors can create more of a traditional feel than materials such as aluminium, if this is the look you desire.
- Excellent sound absorption. Wooden bifold doors also absorb sound, creating quieter rooms. External wooden bifold doors can also dull the sound from outside.
- Offer natural insulation. Timber bifolds use air pockets within the cellular structure of the wood to create a natural barrier between the heat and cold.
- Customisable style. An external wooden bifolding door can be stained, varnished or painted almost any colour.
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. Timber also requires a lot of maintenance, especially if it has been stained or exposed to harsh weather conditions. Rain can cause timber to rot and become infested with mites and harsh sun can cause timber to discolour or warp and flex. Aluminium is usually more versatile than timber and can be used for more complicated designs at larger sizes.
Read more about why Origin use aluminium here.
Aluminium vs timber bifold doors | A comparison
Aesthetic
One thing that draws people to wooden fenestration products is the colouring and finish that they give. At Origin, we offer two woodgrain finishes – golden and natural oak, which are available on our OB-72 and OW-80 systems, and give the same effect as wood.
Its authentic look comes down to the powder coating process, which produces high-quality finishes. Find out more about our 150 RAL colours here.
Strength
Timber is naturally a strong material; however, it is not as strong as aluminium. This means that the sightlines of aluminium systems can be slimmer and panel sizes can often be larger, helping maximise the glass and light in a home rather than profile. Find out more about the benefits of aluminium bifold doors here.
Thermal efficiency
Timber is innately a good insulator. However, given the fact that it is prone to contracting in the cold, it can often lead to gaps, which compromises its overall thermal performance. Aluminium is not naturally a good insulator. However, in order to counteract this, Origin has incorporated a thermal break in the profile, which resists heat transfer from the external side of the products to the internal. This makes Origin products extremely thermally efficient, as the thermal break essentially acts as a barrier to ensure the temperature of a room is usable all year round.
Read our guide to bifold door thermal efficiency here.
.jpg)
Not convinced? Here are a couple of further advantages of aluminium when comparing the two materials:
Maintenance
Timber has a tendency to require a lot of upkeep in order to maintain its condition, aesthetic and performance. This can include painting, waxing and various treatments to prevent rotting. As timber naturally absorbs water, it is prone to corroding and contracting, which can affect its thermal performance and its operation, as the alignment would be off.
Aluminium, by comparison, is incredibly low maintenance. It only requires intermittent cleaning for aesthetics to ensure the tracks remain clean as well as periodic lubricating of the locks and hinges. It can withstand high temperatures and extreme weather without absorbing moisture, as well as warping, flexing or contracting, which means it will offer a longer life span.
Environmental impact - timber can’t be recycled as many times as aluminium, and the process of obtaining timber requires cutting down trees. On the other hand, aluminium has the best longevity out of most materials, and it's also infinitely recyclable and, therefore, more environmentally friendly. Being ISO 14001 accredited (environmental management), we are continuously trying to ensure that our entire product is the most green and sustainable option.
Find out more about how to maintain aluminium bifold doors here.
Longevity
Given the upkeep that’s required with timber, its lifespan and guarantee tends to be around half of what aluminium bifold door systems tend to be. As standard, Origin offers a guarantee of up to 20 years on its doors and windows, meaning that not only is it a green choice, but you’ll need to replace far less frequently.
If you have any further questions, please get in touch or start your journey and speak to a Premium Partner today.
Aluminium vs timber: a summary
Our table below demonstrates which material we recommend for different buying priorities:
| Key priority | Winner |
|---|---|
Durability | Aluminium bifold doors |
Low maintenance | Aluminium bifold doors |
Style | This depends on your preferred style – if you are looking for a more traditional option, we recommend wooden bifold doors. For a modern, sleek option – consider aluminium bifold doors. |
Cost | This depends on the manufacturer. Timber is often the cheaper option; however, because of aluminium’s long life span, aluminium ends up being the most cost-effective choice long-term. |
Lifespan | Aluminium bifold doors |
Thermal efficiency | Aluminium bifold doors |
The Origin Bifold Door
Quality and durable materials should be a top priority when adding value to the home. A property surveyor will consider durable and timeless features more highly in a home.
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.
