Bi-fold doors are an excellent choice for any home, be it for stylistic or functional purposes. There’s a reason why it’s becoming one of the most popular door options right now. People just can’t seem to get enough of bi-fold doors and you might be considering one for your home as well.
Picking a bi-fold door is easy as there are countless options that are readily available. Since this is your home, we are talking about, it’s best that you find the best bi-fold door so that your purchase is well worth it.
So, which is the best bi-fold door right now?
Types Of Bi-Fold Door Materials
To put it simply, your decision in finding the best bi-fold door falls on the type of material used for the panels.
Almost every door material is viable to turn into a bi-fold door but some are a cut above the rest. Here are the best choices you may want to consider:
- Aluminium
The most popular choice right now is aluminium. It’s low-maintenance, strong and lightweight.As per manufacturers, it’s one of the easiest materials to work with. Thanks to its malleability, aluminium allows for slim frames to give a modern feel and sleek look to a bi-fold door.
Door experts from Aussie Aluminium believe that this is the best type of material that can be used for a bi-fold door. Thanks to its durability, aluminium is good for both internal and external settings.
One of the main issues that you might have with aluminium doors is if you live near the coast, they will be more prone to corrosion. However, high-quality aluminium doesn’t corrode easily, so make sure you source your door only from the top brands.
While a bit more expensive than other materials, aluminium doors are still more cost-efficient in the long run because of their durability and the fact that it’s low maintenance.
- Engineered Timber
The second best option is engineered timber. What’s great about this material is that it’s stylish, sturdy, and secure. Additionally, it doesn’t transfer cold so it provides great insulation for your home as well. As engineered timber is heavy, you might have a hard time operating the doors if the tracks aren’t smooth.
Engineered timber suffers from the same drawbacks as other wooden materials. This includes warping because of changes in temperature, as well as mould development. However, the drawbacks are not as intense as other wood types.
- Composite Doors
Composite doors offer the best of both aluminium and engineered timber. It’s strong, it has good insulation and the exterior is made out of aluminium as well. It’s one of the best doors that you can buy.
In truth, the only real downside to composite doors is that they are the most expensive type of door material. It would be better to stick with aluminium which is considerably cheaper but is just as durable as this.
- PVC
Last, we have PVC. While composite doors are the most expensive, PVC doors are at the other end of the spectrum. The problem with PVC is that the frames are thicker and you have limited colour options to choose from. In terms of style, it’s not going to make your home look better.
That being said, PVC doors are great to use in internal settings. It could also be used in commercial settings as they’re cheap.
Picking A Bi-Fold Door
Each of the door materials has its own upsides and downsides. Instead of going for what’s best, you might want to consider a few important factors instead.
- Budget – Stick with a budget. You don’t need to spend an extravagant amount on a door. Instead of going for something that’s the most expensive, go for something that’s more durable and cost-efficient. That way, you get the most out of your money.
- Installation Location – It matters heavily where you’re going to have the door installed. If, for instance, you’re living in an area that experiences regular rain an engineered timber bi-fold door is definitely off the table.
- Brand – Good door makers produce good bi-fold doors. The logic is simple enough. Make sure to take your time and do your research about the best bi-fold door makers near you. Check online for reviews about the quality of their products and the craftsmanship of their handiwork as well.
In our opinion, aluminium is the best option for bi-fold doors. When it comes to design and durability, it’s pretty hard to beat.
A bi-fold door can last you a lifetime if it’s of good quality and you take care of it. With this guide, it will be much easier for you to find a bi-fold door that suits your home and your needs.
