When choosing new bifold doors, it’s really important to think about how energy efficient they are as well as how stylish. Understanding bifold door U-Values is important because these values tell you how well the doors will keep heat inside your home, which can save you money on your energy bills and make your room more comfortable too. Here’s everything you need to know about bifold door U-Values to help you choose the right doors for your home makeover.
Why are bifold door U-Values important?
When you’re choosing doors for your house, the U-Value is something you should definitely look at. This number shows how good a material is at keeping heat in. If the U-Value is low, that means the door is really good at insulation. If it’s high, not so much.
Bifold door U-Values matter because they can help lower your heating bills and keep your room warmer by reducing how much heat is lost through the doors.
These U-Values also have to meet certain rules set by the Building Regulations. These rules vary depending on if you’re fitting new doors or replacing old ones.
For new homes, you’ll need doors with a U-Value of at least 1.6 W/m2k. For replacing doors in existing homes, the U-Value should be 1.4 W/m2k or lower.
Our entire collection of premium bifold doors comes with the option of double or triple glazing, and both with high-specification safety glass. Double glazing typically provides U-Values of 1.6Wm2K. Triple glass can get to U-Values as low as 1.2 W/(m²K), which is even better than what the regulations ask for. It really depends on the type of glass you choose. We can help you pick the best option for your doors.
Are bifold doors cold?
Not at all. Our next answers will explain how the thermal break and the type of glass we use keep our bifold doors from being cold working in combination with high-performance glass units.
Does a thermal break affect bifold door U-Values?
Yes, it does. Aluminium by itself can let heat and cold pass through it easily, but a thermal break acts like a barrier that stops this from happening. Our modern bifold doors have a thick thermal break made of polyamide, which keeps the inside of the door warmer than the outside.
This thermal break works with the high-quality glass we use to make sure our bifold doors have low U-Values, helping to cut down on your energy bills.
It’s important to bear in mind that bifold door U-Values are based on the whole product, frames and glass, and never just on the glass alone. It’s common to see 1.0 U-Values for glass but this does not mean the entire door set will have the same figure.
What kind of glass is available with bifold doors?
All the glass in our doors is safety glass, either toughened or laminated, as required by established industry good practice and Building Regulations. Double-glazed glass is usually 28mm thick and includes a special coating and argon gas fill to improve insulation. Triple-glazed options are 32mm thick and have an extra pane of laminated glass for even better performance.
Are bifold doors draughty?
No, they shouldn’t be if they’re made well and installed correctly. Our bifold doors come with lots of seals and other features to keep draughts out.
Any good bifold door system is tested for its weather protection. Origin OB-72 doors are sold in America and they’ve even passed hurricane tests for that country. The common reason for draughty bifold doors is incorrect adjustment and installation.
Want better bifold doors for your home? Get in touch with us today
Grandview Home Improvements offers top-notch bifold doors that can transform your room with their great looks, excellent build quality, and slim frames. They’re not just good-looking, but also very practical, secure, weather-resistant, and come with some of the best U-Values around. Contact us to talk about your project, see our doors, and get a free quote.
