Why I Don't Like Cheap BiFold Patio Doors

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

If you would like to book a consultation with me you can do so here - www.reallifearchitecture.co.uk/online-services Please read the terms and conditions before you book.

[@CRAZYCR1T1C]

An architech with ethics and passion....just what we are looking for right now. Keep up the good work

[@nickmorris9689]

I was not certain which to go for . You just made my mind up . Thanks .

[@royalblossoms4029]

I grew up in the tropics, my parents had bifold patio exterior doors installed when the home was built in 1956. The doors were made by Crittall and they have been moved around the home in different areas since 1956. Today those Crittall doors are still going strong, no issues at all. Those doors are way older than me, I guess those manufactures think this is a new concept and come up with their design which does not work or last. I hope they get it right, I would like to get doors like my parents have.

[@IIghostu]

Makes a lot of sense. I agree and totally changed my mind completely from folding patio doors. Thank you for your time and making your explanation brief to the point. Someone else would of probably say less in 15 trying to explain their viewers. Superb job.

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

You are welcome, glad you found it useful

[@nathanbrooks5822]

Hi there, I have fabricated hundreds of bi-folds over the years with not a single issue with any of them. Like any product, not all are created equal. Everyone has jumped in the bi-fold game and now you can even buy a cheap version at your local big-box store. To keep it simple, make sure you buy from a reputable manufacturer who uses quality hardware. Also, if it's top-hung, you rarely have to perform any maintenance, which is something you have to constantly do for sliders. To your point about more glass, that is true. However, in most cases a slider cannot be pocketed into a wall, leaving you a significant amount of occupied space. That's where a folding patio door shines, as it allows for a wide opening without the need to pocket. Every product has it's pros and cons. There are quality manufacturers and there are garbage manufacturers. Sounds like whoever owned the bi-fold door in your description went with the later. Again, if the product and installation is quality, bi-folds are going to hold for years, perhaps decades. Sorry, I am not trying to discredit you as an architect. But, as someone who has manufactured 100s of of these doors and also familiar with just about any quality brand on the market, I can certainly add to this discussion. If your client wants a bi-fold, let them have a bi-fold. I am happy to advise you on what to look for :)

[@shabirahmeds]

Which company would you recommend also would you recommend tilt and slide patio doors

[@alexbuchanan3695]

@nathanbrooks5822, following up to see if you would have any recommendations. Considering Eris doors but not sure what the considerations should be.

[@jamessmith49800]

Nathan, please tell us what companies you recommend!

[@eastcoast4233]

This is someone in the industry trying to defend their own products (in a broad sense, I do see he hasn’t stated a particular brand), I don’t think many will hold too much with that. My own and family experiences of bifold doors are they look lovely but fail ALOT. I’m sorry but I simply don’t believe there have been no issues with hundreds of bifolds you have created, if only because in hundreds of anything will inevitably have problems - saying there is none sounds like a gross exaggeration or an outright lie…

[@carmelgrace6402]

Thank that’s easy great information ..I live in Canada .. it has made me rethink my real needs .. 😊

[@lloydbussio7782]

We have the opposite problem in a semi desert area, sliding doors tend to get clogged up with dust and need serious cleaning every few years which no one does, so they eventually become a glass wall by default haha, I opt for top hung but they don't seal well, we also don't require double glazing for the most part so I suppose it balances out, more parts = more problems is a solid note though.

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

Thanks for your comment, it’s always great to get a different perspective.

[@StarCitizenJorunn]

In my regular job as a luxury window consultant I advise the same thing. You get far less glass to frame with bifold doors and they are a lot of work to open and close with every hinged panel pair needing to be locked/unlocked, push/pulled. Another major issue is that all of the weight is suspended from the head of the doors and wood structures are difficult to reinforce for this especially over long spans. Here in "Sunny Florida" it is too hot and humid most of the time to keep them open much, a sliding wall of glass with minimal frames is much preferred. I had a client that I advised not to use them on their third floor rooftop entertainment area overlooking the ocean (they had thin framed sliding doors on the first two floors) but the architect insisted. When the homeowner saw them they had them ripped out and replaced with sliding doors at a cost of $40,000.

[@jtf2413]

We have the opposite problem here in Texas. It is so hot most of the year you keep things closed off so the air con can keep up. I hadn't considered the things you mentioned. Probably should go with sliders. Going to subscribe

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

Thank you !

[@JaStargazer]

Hi Neil, I was thinking about a Bi-fold to put between a 3 season room and main open area. It is for a home in the wood and during summer, we would like to keep it open most of the time. What would you recommend instead? A garage door?

[@chrishunt91]

Yup, agree with this, the cost is an issue though for both. We generally want big openings but the cost of a high quality unit is pretty eye watering these days.

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

And the cost is only going up

[@shimmerspike]

Why not do a review on casment PVC windows that over time lose the tightness of their seal? Like ours have and now we can hear the M26 loud and clear when the wind is from the south. Glad to help with this with further info.

[@stoneygreek]

I have all those records. Bought new within the week they became available. I’m old. Anyway, thanks for the door info. Something to think about for sure.

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

👍

[@seanflewin9803]

Thanks for the advice you've confirmed my suspicion they physically dont look right to much weight loaded on to small an area

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

I should point out it is possible to get high quality bifold doors which do not suffer the same technical failures mentioned in the video

[@sueelliott8085]

We have 2 sets of sliding doors that don’t open and close anymore. They are only 4 years old, but they were installed by the previous owners, so the builder who put them in won’t take responsibility. We have had numerous people, from The Window Doctor, to a structural engineer look at them and we still can’t definitely establish what’s caused the problem. They have come up with all sorts of ideas, from having been warped by the sun, to the wrong lintel being installed, and none completely make sense, but they can’t be repaired. We don’t get much really hot weather, but it would be nice to sit in an open room when we do. There are more sections on the frame of the bifolds we are considering, but each section is slightly thinner, so there is still plenty of glass. The rollers have to match the doors, on sliders, which can be a problem if you don’t know the manufacturer. I have yet to find out whether generic parts can be used on bifolds. Whatever, we are going for Aluminium rather than UPVC next time.

[@saml2171]

I hate my sliding glass door. It gets stuck all the time. Kids in my house have trouble opening and closing them

[@WARRENLYTHGOE]

We moved into a new build last June with a set of bi folds in the kitchen, and another in the lounge. We fitted vertical blinds to both for privacy. A winter of radiation cold and draughts has now got us ordering curtains. You also lose an enormous amount of wall space. We would get rid and brick up the space if we could. Some people seem to like them?????.

[@hugocarrillo2509]

I personally always try to talk my customers out of buying by folding our the space they use or they need is the same space you would use it you do sliders is just that instead of having you sideways you're gonna have a straight so very much is the same waste of space and as soon as they start dragging, there is no point back there has to do a lot of times with the foundations. They probably you know the headers and the material for the foundations or use to the framing of the house and not necessarily means the door is defected or not well made but why, jumping in a hassle that can be easily avoided by using a slider pocket doors. I'm agree with the not to trust by folding doors. Of course, when the customer set up his mind, we do whatever it takes to make sure our product is strong and weld instoldas a fabricators and installers. This aluminum and glass world is amazing thank you for the time you took to make this video.

[@stevenb007]

Only problem with sliding doors is you only get a half sized opening.

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

True, but good quality bifold doors cost more.

[@bradleybranch-spellen6728]

Not if you go for pocket sliding doors, where the panes disappear into a cavity in one side of the wall (space prevailing). Win win

[@colette2851]

Good points made. Certainly food for thought our weather much the same as Scotland.!

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

Thanks Colette.

[@tommystevenson2921]

Great advice

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

👍

[@DanFrederiksen]

yeah I would prefer sliders anyway. I only considered folding because there aren't a lot of sliding manufacturers. Schuco is one but they are also pricey and insist on installing themselves.

[@benjones3819]

All depends on what brand you go for, some are built much better than others. If you look at Solarlux bifolds for example, theyre miles apart from your cheap online bifold.

[@QclaireQ]

Any thoughts on bifold windows? I’m looking into something that would allow to use my kitchen window as a pass through with an outside bar shelf…

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

Never seen these, although I imagine they could me made by any window and door company.

[@learnmathswAaryan]

Very helpful. Thanks !

[@smaganas]

Helpful comments

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

👍

[@Jack-xy4fy]

Just for reference, I subscribed because of the weezer vinyl on your wall... Jokes 😅

[@Yuliana_lisova]

It’s probably a new design to see how long bifold can last.

[@wellmadeinteriors]

2:45 they wear out. ball bearings are not indestructible

[@eastcoast4233]

They really do fail a lot. I have family members who have had bifolds in several properties (only once installed, inherited from previous owners in other instances) and each time something has gone wrong with them. I have simple French doors, the alternative to patio sliding doors which wasn’t mentioned here, and they have had absolutely no issues at all for 15 years. Simpler is better.

[@thocuaovuong]

Hello From Vietnam

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

👍

[@Ava-lm1zy]

Would you say stick to french doors then ?

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

They are fine but don’t suit wide openings

[@Ava-lm1zy]

@@RealLifeArchitecture thanks for the response I’m buying a new build they come with standard patio doors with two large side glad panels o can upgrade to Bifolds 3 panels for £3.5k wasn’t sure if this was over priced standard pvc thanks

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

@@Ava-lm1zy not sure about the price, but UPVC bifold are less rigid than aluminium and I’ve see a few fail.

[@Ava-lm1zy]

@@RealLifeArchitecture thanks so much it’s probably worth just sticking to the french doors then as they are standard

[@edwardpickering9006]

Got bi folds in our new build in the North East, so much nicer than normal doors, worth the extra I would say. As it's a new build you in effect get a 10 year guarantee with your NHBC warrenty

[@save400]

good video, thank you

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

Your are welcome

[@benefiet]

another horror story: i once did patio doors in black aluminium in Belgium. If the sun shines on the black aluminium, their are cracking sounds from the aluminium expulsion. Thank you for your honest video's, i'm almost the exact same position as you are (solo archi, 40 years olds, spec. renovating houses and interior), crazy how similar everything is.

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

Dark grey / anthracite aluminium doors have been popular in the UK for several years now. I’ve never encountered thermal expansion as an issue but perhaps our sunshine isn’t as intense.

[@selby831]

@@RealLifeArchitecture agree. It sounds more likely to be UPVC

[@Endle185]

Don’t listen to this guy. I make Ali bifolds and big sliders. If u break a bifold glass unit it will be cheap to replace when a big slider will be 6mm glass etc and if u break it u will be looking at a big bill. When it comes to parts failed, it’s rare and with care your bifold will last ages. Do not listen to this guy he has no real facts.

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

Thank you for your comment, it’s always good to get balance in any discussion. I presume when you mention the difference in cost between repairing bifold v slider that you are referring to the cost of the glass only? Ie. The sheet of glass on the sliding door being larger than the bifold panel. That wasn’t the point of my video, I have seen the hinges and mechanisms fail on bifold doors. I wasn’t referring to the glass breaking. Your statement that bifold doors need to me treated “with care” backs up my argument. They are not as robust as sliding doors.

[@ArthurDayneFirstOfHisName]

Disagree

[@homes892]

We have thousands that we install a year in california.. Never had an issue. This guy is a troll

[@justtestingonce]

This was just a silly video, especially coming from an Architect.

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

Please explain. I put in the effort, based on my own experience. If you want to post one-liner comments like that you should be willing to back it up.

[@nazeefkarim9563]

Yea. Please do explain. As architects, we usually lean towards practicality and durability. IMHO, bifold doors have their pros and cons, as explained above. Lots of moving parts and the fact that owners have to usually shuffle to and fro between each shutter to make sure they align as they lock into place.