TECHNICAL ADVICE

What to consider when specifying bi-folding doors Part 2

Sieger Systems offer completely bespoke aluminium glazing systems that are fabricated for the specific openings they are desired for and in the finish chosen to suit the architectural design. With bifolding doors from Sieger, it isn’t the case that you can measure the openings, come and visit us and expect to take home your bifolding doors on that day. Due to the bespoke nature of our glazing systems we will create the CAD designs of the system which shows the exact glazing specification, size, ironmongery and frame finishes to then fabricate the system. During the design stage we will visit the site to conduct a site survey which will provide our Sieger fabrication facility with the precise measurements for the systems.

Prior to specifying bifolding doors on your architectural project there are a few things to consider. To help with this process, we have put together some key points to keep in mind and some frequently asked questions.

How much do Sieger bifold doors cost?

Bifolding doors from Sieger vary in price as they are manufactured bespoke to each project and therefore the glazing specification and configuration differ from project to project. However, we are able to provide approximate costs for the Sieger bifolding door systems, they are the following:

Sieger 120 Bifold Door | £750 per m2*

Sieger Lux Bifold Door | £1,000 per m2*

Sieger Super Lux Bifold Door | £1,250 per m2*

*All systems from Sieger are manufactured bespoke for each project to meet the exact measurements required for each project, therefore prices will vary from project to project.

What are the differences between these bifolding doors?

There are two main differences between the aluminium bifolding doors from Sieger, these include the sightlines between each pane and also the maximum sizes of the bifolding doors.

With Sieger bifolds the mantra of ‘one size fits all’ just doesn’t apply. Each bifold is manufactured bespoke to each opening, therefore the opening determines the size of the bifolding doors. However, if you are designing a new build and want a size to maximise focus on the glazing, then knowing maximum sizes is advantageous.

For architectural designs that are looking to create an industrial style aesthetic, the Sieger bifolding doors can be manufactured with additional glazing bars to create this design. These glazing bars are either true or applied glazing bars with dummy spacer bars to give the appearance of traditional art deco style glazing.

Do architects prefer siding doors or bifolding doors?

There are pros and cons to both systems and it really comes down to personal preference and the desired aesthetic achieved by the glazing and the opening. Generally, architects prefer sliding doors due to the slim sightlines achievable with sliding door systems however it really depends on the project.

Bifolding doors are recommended on projects that have small openings because bifold doors will maximise the use of this space as the panes stack neatly to one side of the opening to reveal a completely open aperture. Whereas, if sliding doors were installed within small openings, they would take up a large portion of the opening which would restrict the connection to the outdoors.

Most modern sliding doors have minimal framing, resulting in a ‘more glass, less frame’ design which is more desirable among contemporary architecture. Many architects tend to go for sliding doors over bifolds as there’s too much frame with bifolding doors, but actually bifolding doors can be relatively slim framed with a large glass to frame ratio. The large widths that the bifolding door panes can be manufactured to creates a large expanse of glass per pane.