Glass Bifold doors are doors designed to be used in closets, pantries, as well as folding doors between rooms (in certain cases).
Glass bifold doors are always done in pairs, with two doors folding to one side, or with four doors, split in the center of the opening, with two doors folding back to eitherside. For multiple doors in other configurations, you would then use something called multifold doors. More info on Glass Bifold Doors.
Installing Glass Bi-Fold Doors
Glass Bifold doors are perfect for those situations where you need access to the full width of the door opening — in a laundry closet, as an example, or for showers. These glass doors come in a variety of styles, such as plain, raised-panel, louvered as well as mirrored varieties.
Installation of glass bifold doors is a relatively simple process and typically involves the following steps:
Following the above guidelines should see your glass bi-fold doors installation quickly become a relatively simple process.
Good luck!
Rob and Carol King moved into ‘The Old Rectory’ fourteen years ago, after the property had been lying derelict for eight years. Structurally the Victorian building was in good condition, with only internal decoration required and the garden in need of landscaping. With six bedrooms and four reception rooms, the property seemed to be an ideal environment to bring up a family.
The Kings went on to have three children and, although the house was roomy enough for all of them, the only drawback was the galley kitchen and the poor view of the garden to the rear of the property. To address this problem, Rob and Carol felt that the perfect solution would be to build an orangery, which would link with existing rooms to achieve an open plan modern family living area, with an outlook to the beautiful garden.
The Brief:
To create a modern family space which would open up the kitchen, allow a good open aspect of the garden which could be used all year round. The kitchen was the coldest room in the house, and even the walls and floors would have condensation on them in the winter so there were concerns about the area being warm enough.
Design:
The Kings worked closely with Trentham Garden Conservatories to build an orangery which was to act as an extension to the kitchen. Their main aim was to imitate the Victorian design of the property, while also giving it a contemporary feel, so that it could be used as additional living space. Major structural work was carried out to provide a large open space that incorporated the original kitchen and breakfast room, and under-floor heating was installed to provide a source of heat in the orangery. A further key aspect of the design was the installation of a feature double-sided glazed fireplace in a central column.
The Roof and Windows:
Due to the large expanse of glass used in the orangery, coupled with the fact that the Kings are a large and busy family, it was important to them to select a glass that needed minimal maintenance. They chose to glaze the roof of the orangery with Pilkington Activ™ Blue combined with low emissivity Pilkington Optitherm™ as the inner pane to ensure the highest level of insulation.
Pilkington Activ™ Blue is designed specifically for orangeries and conservatories. It is a blue-tinted glass that combines dual-action self-cleaning properties with solar control technology. The dual-action coating uses UV rays to break down and loosen organic dirt (e.g. fingerprints, bird droppings, sap and pollen) and then encourages rainwater to flow down the glass in an even ‘sheeting’ effect, washing away any loosened dirt. This ‘sheeting’ action helps prevent water from forming droplets and drying in streaks and smears following a rain shower; it also means that there is a clearer view through the window even after the heaviest downpour.
The blue glass allows considerably less heat into the room compared to standard glass, as it absorbs the heat and re-radiates it back outside, helping to keep the rooms interior cooler in the summer. It also has an aesthetic benefit; it reduces reflection and glare from the sun, giving uninterrupted exterior views, and improves the outlook on even the greyest of days.
Pilkington Optitherm™ improves energy efficiency because of its low thermal conducting qualities. Heat from the under-floor heating and central fireplace is prevented from escaping the orangery allowing the Kings to stay at a comfortable temperature during the cold winter months, without worrying about fuel bills.
The Result:
A stunning orangery and an entirely new living area, creating a light and spacious room the whole family can enjoy all year round. The Kings were careful to ensure the new structure blended well with the traditional architecture of the Old Rectory by opting for an elegant neutral colour scheme and limestone tile flooring throughout.
“The result is fantastic and the experience of living in the area we have created just makes you feel good, so it has definitely changed our lifestyle” says Carol. “The whole family has benefited and we can all get on with whatever we want to do yet still be involved as a family and interact rather than me being shut away peeling the spuds!’’
“The children particularly love it they can sit at the breakfast bar and watch TV or do homework and research the net. It has also given us a great entertaining area and even when I am finishing off the steaks I am still involved in the party atmosphere and the open aspect to the garden we can now enjoy. Most importantly, installing Pilkington Activ Blue™ self-cleaning glass has meant that we spend hardly any time cleaning the orangery and more time enjoying it. We now have a fantastic light and airy room, which enables us to sit and enjoy the garden all year round and it’s warmer than it ever was despite the fact that over 50% of the outside wall space is now glazed.”
In a survey of 100 nationwide agents, 62 per cent confirmed that building a conservatory or a high quality glass extension can add approximately five per cent to the value of an average three bedroom home – or between £11,000 in the South West to upwards of £20,000 in London and the South East. And with 300,000 new conservatories being built every year, it would seem that homeowners are in agreement.
When questioned about the rest of the house, 24 per cent estate agents recommended adding extra bedrooms, 6 per cent suggested creating off-street parking or a garage area and 5 per cent an additional bathroom or downstairs loo.
With dramatic improvements in glazing technology, conservatories are now a popular way to extend living space and seamlessly extend the house into the garden and vice versa. Once considered to be small, separate rooms with only seasonal value, they are now the focal point of the home, enabling homeowners to fully integrate a conservatory as another permanent living room in the house.
Julia Berkin, communications manager for Pilkington Activ™ says, “We’re seeing a trend towards young adults choosing to stay in their family home for longer due to the high cost involved with moving. As a result, houses are starting to burst at the seams, and adding a glass extension not only creates additional living space but adds value to the property.”
Julia Berkin adds “It would seem that as a nation of home owners we are less reluctant to rely on market forces to dictate the future value of our property. Instead we’re trying to take control by minimising the costs and risks associated with moving, maximising the value of our current homes and in turn future proof our homes against the peaks and troughs of a potentially volatile housing market. Home improvers should be aware that quality is imperative. Conservatories and glass extensions must be done well – cheap constructions, poor workmanship and skimping on the details can make it look tacky and also means that the conservatory is unlikely to provide a comfortable year-round environment.”
According to Pilkington Activ™, there are five golden rules to obey when choosing a conservatory:
Choose a style and design that’s complimentary to the rest of the house
Consider the position of the conservatory – a south facing installation will require ventilation and shade, and a north-facing one will need good heating.
Be clear about what the room will be used for – playroom, dining room, relaxation area etc – and make sure the end result fulfils this need. Thorough research should be done into different styles and layouts. Be sympathetic to the surroundings – it is important that the style of conservatory fits in with the rest of the home and garden.
Look at the benefits that premium products such as self-cleaning and solar control glass can bring. Pilkington Activ™ Blue and Pilkington Activ™ Neutral combine both into one product reducing maintenance to a minimum, but also helping to maintain a comfortable temperature year round, when used alongside a thermal glass on the inner pane such as Pilkington K Glass.
Check with your local planning department whether you need permission. Progressing without the necessary permission may be a costly mistake, as if any work does not comply with planning standards, they can insist that the property is returned to its original state.
Regional Variations:
For those living in London, installing a conservatory or glass extension can add approximately five per cent (approximately £20,000) to the value of an average three bedroom house according to 75 per cent of those surveyed. In contrast, 12.5 per cent and 10 per cent of estate agents recommended adding a bedroom or incorporating off-street parking respectively, as the best way to securing longer term property profits. Just 2.5 per cent suggested incorporating high spec gadgets and technologies to command maximum prices on valuation and sale.
Those in the North West are least likely to profit from a conservatory as it’s only likely to add 2% to the value of the home. Instead, 70 per cent of estate agents advise adding value through additional bedrooms in order to take properties in to the higher price brackets.
It was an unanimous decision for those in the Wales with 100 per cent of estate agents suggesting the fastest route to higher house prices is through the addition of a conservatory to either extend the kitchen, add a breakfast room or bring space and light into the main living space.
Conservatories are out of favour in the South East and the Midlands as 50 per cent & 70 per cent of those surveyed respectively recommended increasing the number of bedrooms. In the South East only 30 per cent recommended installing a high quality conservatory as a way of extending the living space and/or kitchen. 10 per cent suggested adding off-street parking and an extra bathroom respectively. Agents in the Midlands advised that although a conservatory is likely to provide differentiation when it comes to selling the property, homeowners are unlikely to make a profit.
Glass Bi-Fold Doors 