Both double and triple glazing increase the thermal and acoustic insulation levels of a home. Origin’s aluminium triple-glazed bifolding doors have a certified U-Value of 1.1W/(m²K), surpassing the standard set by the British Building Regulations by an industry-leading 21% (As of June 2022). Origin’s double glazed bifold doors have a U-Value of 1.4, so although not as energy efficient as triple glazing, double glazed units avoid some of the issues common with triple glazed units.
So, how do you know which option of glazing is the right choice for your bifold, and what factors should you consider?
Here, we discuss the key differences between double and triple glazing, and how to choose the right option for your bifold door.
In this guide:
Find out what options Origin can offer, and what factors you will need to consider when choosing glazing.
Read our guide to double vs triple glazing, including the key differences and benefits of each.
We provide a key summary of what points you need to consider before choosing your door.
Find out what other factors to consider before buying your ideal door.
Read the benefits of buying a bifold door from Origin.
Which glazing option is right for your bifold door?
At Origin, all bifold doors are bespoke, allowing you to find the perfect door design for your home. Origin Bifold Doors are able to accommodate double (24mm and 28mm) or triple glazed (32mm) units. The Origin Window can also be manufactured with double (28mm) and triple (44mm) units. The doors or windows are manufactured according to the specified glazing size, and rest assured, the tolerance of each component is tested to make sure they can bear the extra weight. The right choice for your aluminium bifold door will ultimately be based on a number of factors – cost, time, and the energy efficiency targets you are wanting your home to achieve.
Are you choosing a new bifold door for your home? Read our full guide to choosing a high-quality bifold door design here.
Double glazing vs triple glazing - 3 points to think about before you choose
The clear advantage triple glazing has over double is the increased insulation. The glazing is more efficient at keeping the heat in than double glazing, so can make your home feel warmer. In the winter, it stops the heat from transferring into the outside environment, as well as preventing the cold air from entering the property. In the summer, it has the reverse effect, meaning that the warm air stays out, keeping it cool on the inside. This means that energy bills will be reduced and your rooms will be usable all year round.
Are you unsure which bifold door design to choose? Read our guide to choosing a new bifold door design here.
A further advantage is that the extra layer of glass can reduce external noise pollution and improve acoustics, making it a beneficial choice for homes in urban areas.
These differences aside, we look at three important points to consider which will help you make the right choice for your home.
1) Installation costs
In our popular colours, triple glazed units are included in our ‘Your Lead Time, Not Ours’ zero lead time service, but it’s worth bearing in mind that heavier units can take longer to install. The extra glass in triple glazed units makes the doors significantly heavier, which means fewer units will be able to be delivered in one van as they are likely to exceed the maximum load weight. As an installer will be able to transfer fewer units, this could potentially delay a project, as they will need to make more journeys to your home. If the project requires a glass lifter to move large expanses of glass, then this could increase cost and installation times further. If you take these potential costs and delays into account when you choose triple glazed units, your project can still run to your budget and timeframes.
Double glazed bifold doors are much lighter and so can be delivered without the cost and delay of triple glazing.
Find out more about how to choose a bifold door here.
Shop Origin Aluminium Bifold Doors
Unlike any other door, our aluminium bifolds provide a completely uninterrupted view when open, and 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.
To find out more about installing Origin Bifold Doors in your home and to find the right door type for your needs, please contact your local installer today.
2) Sightlines
One of the main benefits of installing bi-folding doors is the superb views they allow and the amount of natural daylight they provide. The additional weight of triple glazing means the maximum panel size available is smaller than when the doors are double glazed, as larger triple glazed doors would be too heavy to operate. The view is interrupted further as an additional door may be required due to the panel size being smaller, meaning that the door panels would be closer together, which in turn, increases the amount of aluminium profile getting in the way of the view. However, the sightlines of triple glazed aluminium are still impressive when compared to uPVC and timber frames and the benefits of triple glazing go a long way towards negating these drawbacks.
As a comparison, Origin’s maximum door panel width for a standard height door (under 2.4m), is 1200mm for double glazed and 900mm for triple glazed doors. Any doors above this height will have a bespoke width, given on a case-by-case basis.
Are you choosing the perfect bifold door for your home? Read our guide to choosing a bifold door design here.
3) The cost
Triple glazed units can cost up to twice as much as a double glazed alternative, so you will need to consider whether the value added to your home will outweigh the high initial cost of triple glazed units. If you plan to stay in your home long term, then adding value to your property may not be a priority, so you can enjoy the benefits of triple glazing without the concern of recovering the costs.
There’s no denying the acoustic and thermal benefits of triple glazed bifold doors, but it’s worth weighing up the pros and cons so you can come to a decision whether double or triple glazing is right for your home.
Are you choosing a new bifold door colour for your home? Read our full guide to choosing a bifold door colour here.
Choosing between double and triple glazing: key points
- Double glazed doors are a less expensive option than triple glazed options, so it is important to consider your budget when making a decision.
- There are several considerations to think about before choosing triple glazing, including costs and timeframes.
- The additional weight of triple glazing means the maximum panel size available is smaller than when the doors are double glazed.
- Triple glazing offers increased insulation.
- Origin’s experts manufacture both double and triple glazed bifold doors in-house depending on your requirements.
For more information on Origin's bespoke bifolding doors, contact your local installer today.
What else should you consider when buying a new bifold door?
You’ll have a number of decisions to make around the following:
Materials
Aluminium is known for its durability and strength, and you can find out more about the benefits of aluminium here.
Read more about choosing your bifold door material.
Configuration and design
How many door leaves do you choose, and in which direction are they going to open and fold? Read more about configurations, what they mean and how to choose. It is also important to consider your ideal aesthetic and design preferences. If you prefer a minimalistic style, you may want to go for a more simple, classic bifold door in colours such as black and white. Find out more about your bifold door design options here.
Threshold options
Should your door be weathered to guard against flooding, or non-weathered to be flush with the floor? Read more about choosing your threshold.
Get answers to your questions in our bi-fold door threshold FAQs.
Watch our YouTube video on flush non-weathered thresholds.
Accessories
Accessories play a key part in the appearance and security of your bifold door. Choosing a sturdy, secure handle material and style is vital, so it is important to put some thought into this and choose a high-quality supplier. It is also important to choose colours and styles of accessories that complement your bifold door. Find out more about bifold door accessories here.
Why choose Origin?
Quality and durable materials should be a top priority when adding value to the 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. Moreover, our bifold doors can achieve a U-value of 1.1W/(m²K) with triple glazing. At Origin, we design as well as manufacture our own products, so that when a product from Origin has been specified, you can guarantee it has exclusively been crafted by us – from sourcing right through to delivery.
As Origin hold stock of the different glazing gaskets at Origin HQ, it means that triple glazed doors and windows can be delivered on the same lead times as double-glazed units, which can be as little as one working day on stock colour bi-fold doors and one week on windows. Read our full guide to choosing a bifold door here.
