Has anyone installed a long set of folding/sliding doors in their house

[SpaceTrain]

For our extension we are planning to have the whole wall that leads to the garden (approx 6 m) kitted out with folding doors.

Our architect has recommended Solarlux doors, which do seem to be good but also seem to be the most expensive.

Has anyone had any experience with these, or with any other makes?

We've had a quote from Sunflex, and another make we are looking at is Express Bi-folding doors, which are quite a bit cheaper. However I don't want to skimp on this purchase if we are going to face significant quality issues by buying cheaper.

Another question I have is what have you done for screening the doors? Express offer integrated blinds, which seems a better option that having trailing vertical blinds on the inside.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

[tigger123456]

I'm afraid I need aluminium framed windows as (i) timber frames would be too wide given the shape of the windows, and (ii) I live in a conservation area so I have to replace the existing windows like-for-like (but better) otherwise I will need to get planning permission.

[itakemytime]

Hi, I'm new to Mums Net and new to this thread, but it is sooo useful that I can't resist joining in. I am planning to put bifolds between my living room and my new conservatory. (Why not French doors, which would be much cheaper? Cos my spaces are pretty small and I think bifolds will need the minimum of clearance space for opening and closing. And in summer I aim to leave them open mostly and use the two spaces as continuous.)
The space for the doors is only 1450 wide so I am looking for a slim profile so as to lose the minimum of light. I'm currently looking at Schuco or Alu-K doors from //www.bifoldingdoorfactory.co.uk/ - does anyone have experience of them please? Thanks.

[KellyKelly1234]

This blog is so useful. I had sliding bifold doors installed by my builders but they are stacking in opposite direction to my instructions and have been waiting 6 weeks to get them replaced. Builder informed me no date for this yet! I am therefore looking at sourcing replacement myself. I live in East London and none of the places are close by, but have narrowed down to either sun seekers or folding door company. I am waiting to hear back of where I can view these locally but have anyone any feedback/experience with either of these companies in recent times? Thanks. Kelly

[Helen2000]

Just adding another opinion if that's OK. We were quoted about £2,500 for 3 leaf bi-fold door with one opening independently.
Beware of the "Folding Door Shop". Once we had paid our deposit it turned out they couldn't provide the door we ordered (the one they had said they could fit) They refused to return our deposit even though it was their fault they couldn't provide it.
Customer services don't exist and no-one replied to repeated phone calls, emails and letters so we lost our deposit.
[NB: There are companies with very similar names which I am sure are great!]

[Andy403]

The concept is great but NEVER USE ANGLIAN WINDOWS the doors "drop" preventing opening and closing, the plastic sealing gaskets shrivvle in most corners of most windows, the incorrect floor sealing gasket was the wrong (smaller) size. After more than 9 repeat 9 corrective visits the gaskets have still not been replaced. A second no show by sub contract engineers this morning reveals that they have to have a joint visit by "Ally UK Limited" presumably the manufacturers and Anglian contractors to discuss the faults.
The CEO and Customer Care Manager unable to influence outcomes.
Anglian is currently owned by its bankers Royal Bank of Scotland who hope to sell the company shortly on the stock market!!!! Don't touch the shares either.

[NoKidz]

I'm reviving this very useful thread to see if there are any updates from people who posted to get advice on what to choose as I imagine they have now had their doors in for a while!

I think I've narrowed it down to a choice between ODC (solarlux) and Express (schuco). Please let me know if you have any thoughts or experiences on these.

And has anyone had any problems with water or draughts coming under a level threshold door with the more extreme weather we've been having? Thanks.

[user1465301177]

I do have one at home. But it is your discretion to select the one which suits your taste and style. Check for reviews on the best window and door services at Ontario window reviews. Choose the one fits your requirements. Best wishes :-)
Check for reviews at www.ontariowindowreviews.com/window-companies/

[becks5109]

I've just ordered from Denis Windows in North London - they have produced their own brand of sliding doors based on Shcucco and Raeynaers systems. They came to measure up yesterday so I'll report back in a month or so. We went for slim profile 2 door sliding and a large fixed window.

[DarkBlueEyes]

@NoKidz I am reviewing this thread also as we need to do bifolds at our new house. We had ODC install Solarlux doors and windows in our last house and they were fantastic. There were a few small issues after installation but these were resolved without fuss. The quality is amazing - we had wood internally and aluminium outside - but our doors and windows were eye wateringly expensive.

I've had a quote from them to do our new house, which is a run of 3m then a run of 6m plus a reasonable sized window. Their quote was around £17k. I've done a few initial enquiries which are coming in around £11k so I think we might have to compromise on our doors as our tenders are WAY more than we can afford with our budget. I would recommend ODC if you have the readies.

[user1477059378]

Hi all,

I am refurbishing my home (in North London) and I need to order a fairly big sliding door (5100 x 2750) and also some other - tilt-before-turn - windows. All in aluminum. I like the more contemporary, cleaner lines.

The biggest problem comes with the slider. I am now essentially agonizing over three products, all lift and slide:

Luxal / Reynaers - 98mm interlocking profiles (in the middle). I have read some very positive comments made on Reynaers and some friends have a slider manufactured by Luxal and are quite satisfied with it. The only issue is that their slimline solution is far too expensive for me.

Maxlight (use their own profiles, apparently) 20 mm profiles. I went to see them and their product does look good (to a non technical person like me). Not seen any comment on them yet.

ID Systems / Sunflex - 24mm profiles. Haven't seen their product yet but they get very positive reviews here and elsewhere. I like the fact that ID System also distributes the Sunflex profiles, so I am assuming they would do a very good job at it.

What I need help with is:

1. Understanding how Maxlight (Culmax) profiles may compare to the ID Systems /Sunflex.
   
2. If you have any experience dealing with any of the companies above, in particular Maxlight/Culmax.
   
3. Finally, do you think it makes sense to spend a bit more for laminated glass?
   
   Many thanks in advance for anything you may share.

[cee1234]

Folding Sliding door company - does anyone have GOOD reviews of this company? It's been recommended to me by a friend who used them, clearly she is happy but I wonder if she's just been lucky. They have a 25 year guarantee .... any updates from anyone welcome!

[WidowTwonky]

Hi. I'm impressed with the website, YouTube demo and quotes from Panoramic Doors (I've yet to see the actual product yet) but the thing putting me taking it further is the payment terms

Payment terms required are 40% on confirmation of order, 40% prior to dispatch of goods and the balance (20%) on signed completion of the door installation

80% before seeing anything is unusual isn't it??

[didireallysaythat]

Widow the 40-40-20 isn't unusual. After all if you change your mind they have doors they can't resell. But we saw the windows before we signed up.