When renovating or building a new house, finding the perfect doors can make a huge difference to both the look and feel of a room and a home.
Having Express bi-folding doors installed can transform your home. These doors offer an open, airy feel by giving you expansive views of the outside world. However, when the chilly weather starts, the bi-folding doors will keep the cold out.
Express bi-folding doors, manufactured in the UK and highly recommended by customers, offer a modern look and feel to any home or building. Let's unlock the secrets of bi-folding doors and find out how they can enhance your home's functionality and aesthetics.
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What Are Bi-Folding Doors?
Express bi-fold doors are also called folding sliding doors and bi-fold doors. They are typically a set of door panels connected by hinges. The panels slide along a track and fold up against each other in a fashion similar to a concertina.
They sit on heavy-duty rollers, which roll across a track to allow the panels to fold up neatly at the hinges, leaving a nice open doorway.
Express Bi-Folding Doors
Express manufactures four different bi-folding doors. Here is a brief introduction to each one.
XP Vision
The XP Vision is the ultimate of the Express bi-folding doors range with a frame depth of 85 mm.
Specifications
- Maximum panel width: 1,500m m
- Maximum panel height: 3,300 mm
- Security: Quadruple locking catches for enhanced security
- Sightline: 105 mm between panels
- Suitability: Suitable for commercial, heavy-use applications, such as storefronts or areas over 10 metres
- Bonus features:
- Profiles are filled with PE insulation foam for enhanced thermal performance
- EPDM anti-rattle tubes for shoot bolt rods
- Stainless steel wheels with precision bearings
- Insulation: Significant energy and cost savings due to the excellent thermal insulation and U-values (as low as 1.0 W/m2K)
XP View
The XP View is a premium bi-folding door with the highest specifications on the market. It has a frame depth of only 75 mm and a sightline of 90 mm. These Express bi-folding doors are perfect for larger applications, such as patio doors or for a storefront.
The XP View has flush profiles, which give it a sleek, contemporary aesthetic. This means that the outer surface of the door or window sash sits level (flush) with the frame when it is closed.
These Express bifolds are precision-engineered for the smoothest operation. The doors run on a solid stainless steel track with a concealed roller area and a discreet magnetic panel catch. It also has the highest possible class for thermal performance and watertightness. These quality products are accredited by Secured By Design.
Specifications
- Maximum panel width: 1,500 mm
- Maximum panel height: 3,300 mm
- Security: Secured by Design-accredited product
- Sightline: 90 mm between panels
- Suitability: Suitable for commercial and heavy usage applications
- Bonus features:
- Discreet magnetic panel catch
- PAS24 hinges, internal pull handles
- EPDM anti-rattle tubes for shoot bolt rods
- Insulation: The typical overall U value is 1.3 W/m2k with 1.0 W/m2k glazing. Additional high-insulation options are available to further lower the U value
- Watertightness: Class 9A
- Wind load resistance: Class B4
XP88
The best feature of the XP88 is its slight sightlines. It is the slimmest bi-folding door on the market and a highly popular choice among customers. The door stands on four heavy-duty rollers and runs on a dual stainless steel track. Its slim sightline allows more natural light to filter through, making even a small space seem larger and airier.
Specifications
- Security: Six-point locking on the master door and four-point locking on intermediate panels
- Sightline: 88 mm between panels
- Suitability: Ideal for residential applications
- Bonus features: Discrete magnetic panel catch
- Insulation: Typical U value: 1.3 W/m2k with 1.0 W/m2k glazing. Additional high-insulation options are available to lower the U value even further
- Watertightness: Class 8A
- Wind load resistance: Class C2/B2
- Air permeability: Class 3
XP10
This is another popular option in the bi-folding door range. The XP10 is lightweight but incredibly strong and secure. They have concealed gearing, which means no one can fiddle with the gears when the doors are closed, and there are multi-point locks for extra security. The frame has a depth of only 70 mm.
As an extra feature, you can add Uniblinds, which are built-in blinds. This maintains the sleek, modern aesthetic.
Specifications
- Maximum panel width: 1,100 mm
- Maximum panel height: 2,400 mm
- Security: There is a five-point locking on the master door with steel shoot-bolt locking rods in all intermediate panels
- Sightline: 132 mm between panels
- Suitability: Ideal for residential applications
- Bonus features:
- Magnetic panel catch
- In-line flat handles on all intermediate panels, with the option of matching flat handles on pass doors
- Flush threshold available (suitable for wheelchair accessibility)
- Insulation: U Value of 1.5 W/m2K based on using a sealed unit with a 1.0 W/m2K pane.
- Watertightness: Class E, 750Pa
- Wind load resistance: Class 4, 1800Pa
Unique Features Of Express Bi-Folds
One of the unique features of Express bi-folding doors is that the new models can have a steel-look finish. This aesthetic is perfect for customers looking for a more modern look.
Customers often opt for triple-glazed new windows and doors to help with insulation.
Because some customers may find a raised rail to be incredibly high-risk, there is an option for a flush track with a discreet area for the wheels.
General Features
Express bi-folding doors come with a 10-year guarantee on all moving parts for new installations.
The products are made with aluminium, which is lightweight, weather-resistant, and highly durable.
All doors are highly secure with multi-locking systems, and you have a variety of configurations to choose from for your final fitting.
Specifications
Let's discuss the specifications of Express doors in more detail.
Materials
Express bi-folding doors are made from thermally broken aluminium; a lightweight and incredibly strong material. It can be recycled, which makes it environmentally friendly for anyone who is eco-conscious and wants to reduce their carbon footprint.
Aluminium does not breathe, expand, or contract.
Glazing
There are three main glazing options:
- SGG Planitherm Total: high-performance thermal glazing.
- Solar control glass: glass with a special coating to minimise heat gain.
- Self-cleaning glass: specialised glass that reduces dirt buildup.
Sizes
You can choose between two and six panels for the bi-folding doors. While there are basic guidelines on sizing (for example, 1,500 mm wide or 3,000 mm high), all bifold doors are bespoke and made to suit each customer's specific requirements.
Colours
Express bi-folding doors come in a range of colours, including the classic (and ever-popular) black and grey. However, there are over three colour ranges to choose from and over 200 RAL colours. You can opt for different finishes, such as metal or textured.
The colours are baked on and then undergo powder coating, so they are guaranteed to last for at least 10 years.
Hardware
As they are bottom-hung, Express bi-folding doors cause less stress on the top frame. The wheels are heavy-duty rollers that run smoothly along a track.
Each panel's frame is connected by durable hinges that assist with weight distribution.
The bifolds are connected by runners. The runners provide adequate support when the doors are opened. For your peace of mind, there is also a multi-locking system on the main door for extra safety.
The Benefits Of Bi-Folding Doors
Express bi-folds are a great addition to any home, with an option for commercial use. They make a small space seem larger and brighter as they allow a lot of light to filter through. Here are some of the great benefits of using Express bi-folding doors and why they are among the best bifold door brands on the market:
- Huge space-saving capacity
- Allow natural light to filter in
- Create a seamless flow from the inside to the outside
- Contemporary aesthetic
- Various configurations are available
- The upgrade could potentially increase the value of your home
FAQs
Why are bi-folding doors so popular?
Bi-folds have met the demand for larger doors with thinner frames. They are perfect for transforming your home into a light-filled, open-plan space and are easy to install and maintain.
Are bi-folding doors secure?
Yes, bi-folding doors are secure. They are manufactured with security in mind, which is why there are reinforced hinges and multi-point locking mechanisms in place.
Do bifolds insulate well?
There are various glazing options available that assist with insulation.
Should You Get Express Bifold Doors? - Our Verdict
Express offers a great selection of high-quality bi-folding doors. With impressive features like slim sightlines, excellent thermal aid, and high security, these bifolds are the answer.
Whether you want a stylish new look or to maximise the natural light, bi-folds will open the door to a whole new perspective.
Fortunately, Express knows that every application is different, so they offer a lot of customisation options for the bifold doors.
With a wide range of configurations, sizes and colour options available, you can customise your bi-folding doors to match your existing styles.
Combined with the high-performance glazing options, you get an energy-efficient product that can potentially reduce your energy costs.
