Factors to Consider When Comparing Bi-Fold Door Materials
Posted on: 15 May 2017
So many designs and materials of bi-fold doors exist on the market today. It can often be a bit daunting for an inexperienced homeowner to select the best material and design for the bi-fold doors that he or she would like to install during a home renovation project. This article discusses some of the considerations that you should have in mind as you compare the different materials available for making bi-fold doors.
Expansion Issues
Different materials contract and expand at different rates. For example, bi-fold doors that are made from engineered wood may expand or contract at a very slow rate when you compare them to those that were made from uPVC. Why is expansion a matter of importance? Doors that expand at a high rate are likely to have a shorter service life. For example, uPVC can expand and warp much faster than engineered timber can. You may therefore have to replace the uPVC doors much sooner than you would have to replace engineered timber bi-fold doors.
Available Door Sizes
Another way to choose between the different bi-fold door materials is to consider the maximum sizes available. The weight and characteristics of the materials often has a bearing on the sizes that are available. For example, it may be possible to find wider bi-fold doors that are made from aluminium when compared to the maximum size available for hardwood bi-fold doors.
This is because the weight of the wood places a limit on how wide the bi-fold doors can be. However, you can still get a wider door made from the heavier material, or any material for that matter, if you ask for custom-made doors for your home. This comes at a higher cost when compared to the cost you would have incurred if you bought the sizes that are readily available.
Aesthetics
Consider the sight lines of each door before you select the materials for the bi-fold doors that will be installed in your home. Aluminium has slimmer sight lines when compared to the thicker frames of wooden bi-fold doors. uPVC tends to be thick due to the desire to make the door resist warping as ambient temperatures change in the course of the year.
As you can see, one material may rank highly on one factor, only to score poorly on another factor. It is helpful for you to identify the aspects that carry more weight to you so that you can select the most appropriate bi-fold door material for your needs. Seek for expert help in case you are undecided about the most important features that your bi-fold doors should have.
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