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.

[ChantalWalters]

WARNING TO ANYONE THINKING OF BUYING SUNSEEKER DOORS: My disappointment with the lack of competence and professionalism of this Company is only likely to be surpassed by my increasing anger at their avoidance tactics and the cowardice they have so far displayed.

In a nutshell, they doors were not made to measure. When informed, the representative attempted to lay blame on my builder.

The condition for choosing Sunseekers over the Sliding Folding Door Company was that they could have the doors installed before Christmas. We had builders hired to lay the floor following the installation of the doors and we lost money while they kicked their heels waiting for mid January when the second set of doors arrived.

The doors are once again the wrong size, not allowing for the flooring we had arranged for. We wish to have a solid wooden floor and the clearance at present allows for only 12/13 mm of board. There are no solid wood floors that thin.

We are losing time, the builders need to go to others jobs and we are unable to complete the refurbishment until the floors are laid, so we are going bust. The flat needs to be rented out asap and it was all meant to be finished over Christmas.

The Sunseeker representative, who was all efficiency and charm when he came to take the measurements, is now elusive and so far reneged on his promise to 'come and take a look'. He has not and he does not reply to my messages. My requests for compensation have gone unheeded.

I intend to take the company to court if need be and shall keep you abreast of developments.

[GrumpyCrossPatch]

We have a set of Vufold doorscherrycakes. They are great value for money compared to some other wooden doors, look fab, the joiner loved hem as not diddly to install and they are really solid. Would highly recommend.

[GrumpyCrossPatch]

Hmm. cherrycakes

[GrumpyCrossPatch]

Fiddly, not diddly.

Feck it, I'm off!

[ajandjjmum]

8 years on from installation, and our Sunfold doors are still looking good and doing the job. It's a 10 metre run, so has been well tested! We have a level surface between the outdoor decking and the tiled kitchen floor, with just an aco drain between. Never had any problems.

Sunfold were a pain to deal with, and expensive, but the product is excellent.

[Honestyisbest]

Hi great thread. We are installing 3 m bifold doors. We like Vufold. Anyone used this company?
Also liked Origin windows? Anyone?

Solarlux seem to be the gold standard, but I cant find any prices online. Hmmm. Are they hideously expensive?

[GrumpyCrossPatch]

Honesty see my iPad thwarted attempts at explaining that we liked Vufold just above.

[Honestyisbest]

GCP thanks for that. Are they weathering well?
We are going for the 3 m bifold in oak.

[GrumpyCrossPatch]

Admittedly they are a year old so wouldn't like to commit to their longevity yet but they're completely unscathed by this winter's weather antics. (Live in the North East so have seen a lot of weather!). DH and I can't agree on curtains/blinds so they remain uncovered and the heat of the room is unaffected, no draughts etc.

[Honestyisbest]

Thanks. I have decided on curtains. Haven't had any in that room for 8 years whilst we have deliberated over renovations!

[ChantalWalters]

Update on Sunseekers. :(
Two employees rushed through. Couldn't wait for my arrival (15mins away). Only offer was to hide floor boards edge with a trim! They haven't allowed for more than a 6mm floor board, so an 18mm would not fit flush against the sill. The decking outside would now be a step down. Unacceptable.
Asking to have it removed and redone properly. Plus costs for loss of rental and builders' fees to raise patio and refit doors.
I am furious. Have written to Paul - management and now waiting for response.
Will update later.

[ChantalWalters]

Correction, 6mm is the entire clearing at present for insulating material and board.

[StripeyGirlInSurrey]

Hi all

Am loving this thread, sooo helpful. We are having a 90sqm extension and have just started researching and have asked a few companies to quote including IDS, Solarlux (Thames Valley Windows), Sunflex (P&P glass), Sunfold and Sun Paradise. Having read the self build mags for years and attended various shows, we have decided to stick with the main names for quality. Can testify that the cheaper brands hadn't got a clue when it came to technical details at shows. You pays your money....

We are needing 4m bi folds plus all ali glazing for the back of the house plus 2m glass wall internally, a 3m rooflight and PVCU windows to the front (it has to fit the vernacular) so a pretty large order in the region of £20k.

No doubt will be on here lots over the next few weeks as we make a decision to order soon for a June delivery. We are so excited with the renovation we have waited 9 years for!

[comingintomyown]

I used a local company after seeing the big name quotes , not very good at measurements but was about 4 metres of glass doors

They were brilliant and came back for all snags so in my case paying top dollar wasnt necessary

[sunseekerdoors]

Re Chantal Walters
This is an issue regarding finished floor levels and decking levels with the builder and the surveyor . Sunseekers have already re-manufactured and installed one set of doors without any questions asked . Since the 2nd installation in early January , I have recently been informed that the internal floor to be laid , will be above the track of the door system. I will be attending site tomorrow as previously agreed to discuss the issues
Paul @ Sunseeker

[Blanka1]

Hello SW17Lady,
Did you go with Bifold Uk and were they (and their door) any good?
Got a good quote from them but don't know if a trustworthy company or not?
Thank you.
Blanka1

[Paul8ambas]

Aluminium is a very light weight metal in comparison with the stronger kinds such as steel, copper and iron. It?s well known for its ability to resist corrosion due to the metals low density. This makes a perfect frame for a sliding or folding aluminium door if your home is situated near the ocean or where ever there is a lot of salt or damp in the air. A frameless sliding folding door, however, still requires hinges to be attached to a structure in order for it to move back and forth, these systems will also be made from aluminium.
The tracks or systems for a sliding folding aluminium door can range from any design that suits the area, be it curved, cornered or straight. The best areas for a sliding folding aluminium door are a braai area or a patio. A sliding folding door can be designed uniquely to suit weather conditions in an area. Using aluminium rather than wood would be a better option due to its strength and durability, for harsh weather conditions.
Frameless sliding folding aluminium windows are very popular, especially in the up market mansions. They bring across the look and feel of a modern, trendy and sort of clean concept into the home. A frameless sliding window allows so much light and air into an area that it gives the feeling of tranquillity and peace, especially when there is a breathtaking view to admire. Sliding folding aluminium windows allows the cool fresh air to fill up a room as they can be designed to be made so open that you feel like you are almost outside.

[sunshade]

Has anyone used Velfac? a company associated with velux. we have looked at ID systems and Sun Paradise so far as they have show rooms local to us.

[Honestyisbest]

Just had ours fitted. We are delighted. We used a company called Origin. They manufacture in High Wycombe and visited the factory to see the product they manufacture. Its fantastic. They have various distributors. We used Mike at Easifold. Glad we went for aluminium, they look very modern and no weathering issues to worry about.

[32CJ]

Me and my hubby carry out property refurbishment in and around West London. In the early years we tried a number of different suppliers but for the last 3 years have used Sunflex doors on every development, its a very good door system, slim site lines and no service issues.

We use SKG for our installations, very professional company and around our area they seem to carry out work in every other road. I would definitely recommend.

[LondonGirl83]

ILoveMondays, why do you say soft coat obviously. I know nothing about glass and am trying to understand the pros and cons!

[LondonGirl83]

ILoveMondays, why do you say obviously soft coat? I don't know anything about glass so just trying to learn the pros and cons

[Bifolddoorslimited]

Hi,

Aliplast is a system my sons company provide and is used by many well known manufacturers across the UK and European market and has been seen in many home designer magazines on many high quality projects can work on corner-less with only some folding sliding & patio door companies confident enough to take on such as dd installations being one of them which I had installed by my sons company on my own property.

They look modern and were finish flush inside and out these can also work with not only sliding doors but also bi folding doors also.

Integrated Electric blinds work well with the aliplast system but solar blinds seem to be preferred for bi folding with manual as a option also on both systems.

DD Installations supply this system and there many other options such as electrical external blinds with over 50 fabric designs also to choose from which we had on our project and was a great feature to the patio doors and can work on the moving corner on bifolding and sliding patio