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.

[321triple]

Avoid Aluminium Trade Frames in Manchester. This company are terrible and we experienced huge delays with them and appalling customer service. They are cheap and not so cheerful. Instead try Express bi-folding in Leeds.

[Raynera]

Hi I have just had some bi folding doors installed, we used a company called reveal doors and windows in leeds, Great service, helpful and a friendly team. Extremely happy with our doors and would recommend them to everyone, even offer a free 12 month check up that other companies do not

Ann Rayner

[peanutandjam]

When specifying for the bifold sunflex SP70 doors, make sure you order with the extra security locks to the top and bottom of the main opening. The standard locks are easy to snap open with force leaving your property prone.

We had a been burgled by this technique.

[PigletJohn]

was it a Eurocylinder that got snapped?

[peanutandjam]

Yes I think so.

It was snapped open from the outside handle.

[peanutandjam]

actually, they just used the external door handle to get in and not the actual lock (no lock from the outside, just a handle to open/close). So they snapped it internally where the bolt connects both handles.

[ajandjjmum]

Strange to see this thread re-surface! Our Sunfold system is 10 mts. long, and this year we have used it more than ever, as the weather has been so good. It was installed 10 years ago, and really is as good as new.

[Munger]

Just an update. Very pleased with the sliding door option.

The finished project is shown here:

www.extendingmyhome.co.uk/1930-siderear-extension/4584058398

[emilybarnes]

I just wrote a blog post on comparisons of sliding folding doors and found this thread very useful. I also got quotations for cost comparison. I thought it would be useful to add the link here as its kind of a summary of the above... You can read it here: designfor-me.com/advice-and-tips/product-review-sliding-folding-doors-bi-fold-doors/
Enjoy!

[emilybarnes]

MaryShelley blogs are of course just one persons take on something - i'm not saying my findings are definitive and I'm not 'Which?'. This is just my review based on the information I was given. I chose to get quotes for the door sets I did because they seemed to be comparable aesthetically. Cost is a a very important factor to many people so thought was worth sharing my research here. You obviously have a very detailed knowledge of the sliding door industry - who do you favour overall?

[KimmyC88]

Hi Munger,

Was admiring your kitchen. Where did you get the kitchen stools as they look perfect and would fit into my small kitchen bar? What brand are they and how much did you have to pay for it? Many thanks and kind regards,

Kim

[Munger]

The stools are Ikea.
www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/60155602/

There is an issue with availability though (which I expect is because they sell them for only £29). We had to visit a store ~40 miles away to find some in stock..

//www.extendingmyhome.co.uk

[KimmyC88]

Hi Munger,

Many thanks. Yes I tried the link but seems no availability. You are so lucky to get them and they look great. Love your kitchen and the karndean floors.

[JohnAshby65]

We have just appointed a company called Park Farm Design Ltd for the supply & install of folding doors and windows to our barn conversion. Having spent some time researching and visiting showrooms in the end we went with a recommendation from the brother in law. Extremely pleased with the process so far and Park Farm seem very knowledgable. I will certainly post further info online once our products are fitted (late Nov) but so far so good. //www.parkfarmdesign.co.uk

[MissWing]

7 day windows are horrendous. They should be called 7 month or never windows. Avoid at all costs.

[JadeRodders]

thanks all for the reviews, this very helpful and yet I'm still very confused! Really disappointed about the sunseeker reviews as they would have been our first choice design wise, but moving on we're leaning towards Folding Doors 2 u and the Viso1000 door. Has anyone had any experience with them or this product?

www.foldingdoors2u.co.uk
www.facebook.com/foldingdoors2u/timeline?ref=page_internal

[sacbina]

we had sunseeker ultra slim slide and pivot doors installed a month ago. bloody love them, so much nicer than chunky bifolds I viewed. would recommend

[Felixmummy10]

Sadly we are still waiting for Solarluxuk to install 7 months since ordering. Delivery was stated to be 8 to 12 weeks.
We initially ordered with Fine design ltd june 8th 2014. They told us they were very busy but could not give us a date. In November 2014 we were told Germany had the order but by then we were fed up so contacted Solarluxuk who have said hoping for 1st week in March. It is cold in our house! Solarlux Scotland may be better?

[tigger123456]

Hi! What a useful thread!

I'm looking for aluminium framed triple glazed bi-fold doors and replacement windows in North London.

I've contacted various recommended local firms who simply haven't replied. Another told me "I don't need triple glazed windows" and sent me a quote for standard double glazed windows instead. A high-end bespoke company turned out not to do normal windows. Aluminium clad timber frames won't work as the frames will take up so much of the available space. Duration were recommended but their quote is incomprehensible and they refuse to answer follow-up questions.

HELP!!!

I'm starting to wonder whether getting the doors from a German or Danish firm might be the answer.

Any ideas?

[sacbina]

there are so many to choose from aren't there! I just emailed them all and then eliminated from there, based on price, length of installation time etc.

get together the info required and email them all. if they don't answer I tend not to go any further. I love the ones we chose, but went to see three companies I'd narrowed it down to

good luck

[tigger123456]

Which ones did you chose?

[sacbina]

were going for Kloeber bifold, then saw Sunseeket slide and pivot, they suited us better