uPVC External Bifold Doors FAQ's

Are uPVC doors strong?

uPVC doors, when compared to the likes of aluminium and wooden doors, aren’t the strongest of materials that you could have for your external door. However, uPVC is a strong and sturdy material, and if supplied with an anti-drill and anti-pick lock, will provide you with the secure windows and doors that you need.

How long do uPVC doors last?

Most uPVC doors come with a guarantee which usually lasts for 10 years, depending on where you’ve purchased the doors from, however, uPVC will last much longer than this.

uPVC doors require little maintenance, and without any general care, will last for up to 20 years without compromising the security and insulation capacity. With regular care and maintenance, you can expect them to last way beyond that.

Can you get coloured uPVC doors?

If you’re thinking of purchasing a uPVC door but are put off by the generic white colour, you can purchase uPVC in different colours. Unlike aluminium and wood, uPVC doors come in a range of different colours. Sometimes, the colours will reflect the style of door, but usually you will find uPVC doors in the standard white, brown, black, grey, blue, green, yellow and woodgrain effect.

In theory, if done correctly, you can have any colour uPVC door if you paint it, however we advise to only use a stain to prevent the paint from flaking when the plastic expands and contracts when there’s a change in temperature.

Can uPVC bifold doors warp?

In temperature and weather changes, like wooden doors, uPVC doors can warp slightly. uPVC is however a water resistant material, so the bifold door won’t warp when it rains, unlike a wooden door, but the uPVC will expand in warmer temperatures and contract in colder temperatures.

How are uPVC bifold doors made?

uPVC bifold doors are made in the same as traditional uPVC doors, with the only difference being, depending on the size that you’ve chosen, the door will have numerous frames and windows instead of just the one and the door will run on a track by use of wheels and hinges.

Are uPVC bifold doors difficult to install?

Some bifold doors can be more difficult to install than others depending on who you’ve purchased the bifold doors from. For standard installation, you’ll need to attach the tracks to the openings, fit the bifold doors onto the track and click the top into place. Depending on whether you have a top-hung bifold door or not, you may need to attach hinges also.

On a scale, installing a bifold door isn’t difficult, it may just take a bit of time if you need to piece together your door and its fittings. We’d also advise that you have an extra person with you to help with the weight of the doors when fixing them into the tracks.

Are uPVC bifold doors energy efficient?

Similarly to uPVC windows, uPVC bifold doors are extremely lightweight and are very energy efficient when compared to wooden bifold doors. uPVC expands and contracts when temperatures change and so the uPVC will always be measured slightly smaller than your opening to ensure the doors don’t become stuck when it expands. Due to this, uPVC isn’t the most energy efficient material to use, however, there are steps that you can take to improve their efficiency.

How secure are uPVC doors?

uPVC doors are very secure if installed correctly, and have a sturdy and reliable locking system. If you already have uPVC doors installed in your home, it’s advised that you look into how old they are, as older uPVC doors have quite a weak locking mechanism that may require an update.

How long does it take to install uPVC bifold doors?

As an estimate, installing a uPVC door will usually take around half a day, from delivery to complete installation. At Climadoor, all of our bifold doors are produced to order and delivered to you with the hinges, tracks and fittings already attached giving you a very quick installation time. If you know what you’re doing, it could take just a couple of hours if you have the help of an additional person. Once you’ve received your uPVC bifold doors, you’ll simply need to attach the tracks to the floor and ceiling of your opening and pop the glass into the frames.

How do you clean uPVC folding doors?

uPVC doors require very little maintenance, which aside from them being affordable, is one of the reasons why they’re so popular.

uPVC doesn’t require any special products to keep your doors looking fresh; all you need is warm, soapy water and a cloth, sponge or microfibre cloths. It’s important to use only soft cloths and sponges as anything with grit or wire will damage the surface of uPVC and leave you with scratch marks.

In Summary

Bifold doors are an excellent addition to any home; they bring nature into your home whilst allowing tonnes of natural light to flow in. External bifold doors allow you to expand your room and create a much calmer atmosphere in the process.

Bifold doors are becoming increasingly common, but with so many options to choose from, we understand how difficult it can be to take the plunge and make a purchase. We hope that by answering your FAQ’s surrounding uPVC external bifold doors, we’ve made your decision a little bit easier!