If you’ve decided to go for bifold doors – great choice! This marks an exciting time of renovating an existing space or building a new one. Whether you need accessible bifolds for a multi-generational home or a corner installation, there are lots of decisions to make. This includes finding the perfect glass for your bifolds.
Making property improvements can be challenging, especially if you’re adapting a solid wall with glass panels, affecting everything from heat loss and noise levels to privacy and comfort. That’s why it’s important to delve into your options to make the right decision about your bifold door glazing.
Here’s some food for thought.
Are bifolds energy efficient?
Energy efficiency is a key area to consider if you’re new to bifold doors. By fitting a number of glass panels across a wide-reaching wall section, heat loss can be a concern. To optimise thermal efficiency, it’s important to opt for a product with low u-values. Your supplier can show you comparisons of each product.
Another factor in thermal efficiency is the material of the frame holding the glass. Aluminium doors are renowned for their excellent energy performance, thanks to a thermal break between the inner and outer elements. This barrier reduces heat transference and condensation issues, improving the overall efficiency of the bifolds.
Is triple glazing worth it for bifold doors?
External noise can be a concern for homeowners choosing to add more glass to a room. However, a larger door doesn’t always result in more sound pollution, especially if you’re replacing doors with a higher quality product.
Thanks to advanced sealing in the design, most double-glazed glass panels used in bifold door layouts are very effective at reducing outdoor noise. For properties in particularly noisy areas like flight paths, busy main roads or next to late-night venues, triple glazing is a good option. Talk to your bifold supplier about the best glass for your needs.
What type of glass is best for bifolds?
There are lots of different bifold door glass types. The most common is double-glazed bifolds, which create a multi-layer that insulates a sealed air space, reducing heat loss from your home.
Tempered or toughened glass is also an option, having undergone thermal or chemical processing to give it extra strength. This glazing is also more resistant to temperature changes and physical impact. If security is a concern, laminated glass is also a great choice, creating a type of shatter-proof safety glass.
Low-E coated glass is perfect in areas like conservatories, minimising UV and infrared light without making the room feel darker. It can improve room comfort in hotter weather and helps reduce stuffiness. As a coated glass, it also reflects internal heat energy back into the house, lowering artificial heating needs.
Want to design your perfect bifold doors? Get in touch
YPE Bifold Doors operates across Surrey and London, including Leatherhead and Mitcham. To arrange a free consultation and bifold door quote, call now on 020 3962 2305.
