alternative to bi folds?

3 years ago

Hi, we're getting a kitchen extension in the Spring, it will be on the back of our Victorian house, 5m wide. We had planned on getting bi folds across the whole width, but are now considering French doors and a window (which will be over the kitchen sink). I'd ideally like wooden doors, but builders always say they won't last and aluminium is the best. Does anyone have any suggestions for nice aluminium doors? Have thought about Crittal style, but not sure if they'd be right for the house (c.1905 so early Edwardian).

Thanks

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Comments (5)

Sonia
3 years ago
How about sliders? Less bars to spoil the view outside. Crittall windows are beautiful and I think were first created in 1899 (I looked it up!) so fit in nicely with the era of your home. They are a bit pricey but I know a lot of companies are doing copies of them. Here’s some nice big sliders
Neasa
3 years ago
You can have aluminium-clad timber doors - inside is wooden, outside is clad in aluminium for durability. Rationel is one provider. As far as I know, you can have a natural timber finish on the inside and then the colour of your choice on the outside.
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Hiya, What a gorgeous space - I bet you can't wait to make the most of it now the weather is getting warmer! There are a few suggestions we'd offer. It's hard to tell from your photos what material your doors are, but for uPVC frames we offer something called PerfectFit. This is where the blinds clip directly into the frame without the need for drilling, and is available with our Pleated, Roller and Venetian blind ranges. Alternatively, a Roller blind would create a really sleek and stylish look. I've attached a picture of our Painterly Duck Egg Roller blinds at a bi-fold door as an illustration. However, for a cosy feel, as you mention, a Pleated blind is also a fantastic choice. Attached is an image of our Montoya Azure Pleated blinds to show how well they can make a statement at the window. Our ThermaShade range is also a great way to stop heat from escaping from your windows - the clever honeycomb fabric traps heat and will contribute to the cosy effect you crave. Hope I've been of help, and let me know if you have any questions. Kind regards, Zoe
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Sounds like a great combo Mairead, we're in the process of doing something similar (just without the bifolds!). You could even look at having a 'Stiffkey Blue' Island for contrast (farrow & ball colour again). Wood would provide a warmer feel and if you found the right choice, the balance would be great against the hand-painted units. Ultimately both can be integrated so they look like they run outside, beyond the bifolds, which will be the look i'm sure you want to achieve. Regards, SA Designs
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Try the ultra-slim slide-and-pivot doors; 20mm frames! Company is Sunseeker Doors. A client of ours in Wimbledon loves them. Please see our projects page and click on the Wimbledon project to see them installed. I hope this is helpful, best of luck with your project.
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Hi Jonathan, A nice big span like that will really open up the extension to the outdoor space and will look amazing. Crittall will provide the style and class, and with the wide span I would look at putting maybe three sets of double doors seperated by frames so on a nice day you can open all three sets of doors and get a real link to the outside. They'll be quick and easy to shut and you can adopt just the one double door as your frequent use door if the weather is unkind. See our website for more information on Crittall Doors and Windows and download the brochures. The example photo shows two sets of double doors in frames over a six meter span. Note: One more thing to consider is the lead time - Crittall has a lead time of 16-20 weeks, so if you do plan on installing Crittall, get the order in within plenty of time. Bifolding doors do not need to look so modern and (dare I say) a bit sterile - horizontal glazing bars can provide the contemporary look if you are after the Crittall style. The big advantage of bifolds is you can get a clear 95% width opening, so in good weather, you really are at one with the outdoors. You should either look to fit an odd number of doors all folding to one side so you can have one frequent use "traffic" door, or an even number of doors split in the middle so you can have two traffic doors in the middle that act like standard patio doors. (With big span like your plans show, I'd go for the latter.) To carry off the industrial look, you would need to get bifold doors with very fine sightlines, such as Sunflex SF55, with proper horizontal glazing bars (not superficial stick on bars). See the bifolding doors available on our website. If budget is a concern (big extension projects can quickly run away with costs) then you may wish to consider something like the "Heritage Aluminium" range, which matches the contemporary style of steel windows, but comes at an aluminium price. Perhaps not quite as prestige or exquisite as steel, but a very popular product with some good advantages. The YES Glazing Solutions staff will be happy advise and assist, and we can provide a no obligation quote after a few simple questions on the telephone. I wish you the very best with what will undoubtedly be a fabulous project Jonathan.
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Kate G
Original Author
3 years ago
thanks for the reply! I don't think I was clear, we are considering not having glass across the whole width of the wall and having a set of doors and a window instead. So the doors would be double doors. I didn't realise that Crittall started manufacturing so early so that is interesting. The other dilemma is colour, my OH is not keen on having black door frames, and the rest of the windows on the back of the house are white.... I'd quite like something like these different coloured crittalls but i am not sure if you can get aluminium versions....
Daisy England
3 years ago
Of course timber doors will last. A ridiculous statement to make.

You just need to ensure that you maintain them.
PRO
The Sash Window Workshop
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
If you want wooden doors don't let the builders persuade you otherwise. There is no reason why wooden doors can't last as long as you invest in quality doors and maintain them as required.

We recommend using a timber called Accoya, which comes with a 50 year anti-rot guarantee and is extremely durable and highly stable, meaning that it doesn't require as much maintenance as other timbers.

If you are interested in timber doors still, you may find the below article of interest (it compares the different timbers commonly used in timber doors): https://www.sashwindow.com/how-to-identify-the-right-timber-for-your-windows-and-doors/

The Sash Window Workshop

www.sashwindow.com

alternative to bi folds?

Comments (5)

Sonia

Neasa

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Kate G
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Daisy England

The Sash Window Workshop

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alternative to bi folds?

Comments (5)

Sonia

Neasa

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Kate GOriginal Author

Daisy England

The Sash Window Workshop

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Kate G
Original Author