If you have beautiful views of the world outside your home, you may be considering installing window-based doors to make the most of them.
If you have a large opening to fill with a window-based door, you have a choice to make. Do you opt for a sliding door or do you prefer bi-fold doors? In this blog, we will discuss the benefits of both designs to help you decide what door would suit you.
The Benefits of Sliding Doors
At Oknalux, we offer two sliding door systems with different attributes. We will break down and explain the benefits of both.
Tilt and Slide Door
In the tilt and slide door, the door sash separates from the frame and glides open. You can also lock the sash in a tilted position, which will allow in fresh air. You may be put off by this due to security concerns but, thankfully, the door has a multi-locking anti-burglar system. This system features four bolts that lock the door in place, making it extremely difficult for intruders to force open. This means that this system is very safe and secure.
When locked, this design is draught-proof and sealed, which is an advantage over the lift and slide (HS) system.
You may be concerned about having large glass sliding doors on your property, perhaps considering it an easy way for intruders to break in. However, Oknalux installs double-glazed doors exclusively. Having two panes of glass makes your door significantly harder to break through, deterring any potential intruders from trying. This style of door is also unlikely to shatter if accidentally struck or run into.
The tilt and slide door has many other benefits. They are exceptionally easy to use, even for doors with large widths. They also save space by sliding open, making them ideal for houses that struggle with floor space. They are also long-lasting and durable due to their stability, making them worth the investment.
They also feature all the benefits of double-glazing. The gap between the two panes of glass reduces heat transfer, helping your house to stay warm during winter and cool in Australian summers. This can increase energy efficiency, saving you money on your energy bills. Another benefit of double glazing is that they reduce sound pollution from outside entering your home, keeping your rooms quiet and peaceful.
When it comes to frame materials, there is a lot of flexibility. The options are uPVC, aluminium, timber and composite wood and aluminium. You can also customize the colour and/or timber pattern of your frames.
Lift and Slide (HS) Door
This door functions like the traditional sliding door. However, Oknalux’ special hidden rail design allows this product to work with sashes that are more than 2.5 metres in length. Therefore, if you are looking to fill a large space with uninterrupted windows, this is the best option for you.
This style of door also has plenty of other benefits. The door is easy to open and close, with a light and tight structure from the specially designed guide rail system. The construction is stable and easily carries up to 400g of weight. Due to being double glazed, these doors are energy efficient and reduce noise pollution. This type of door can also be automated to open at the touch of a button.
The lift and slide door is highly customisable, and frames can be made from uPVC, aluminium, timber and composite timber and aluminium. They also come in a range of colours and finishes.
The Benefits of Bifold Doors
Bifold doors offer a modern and luxurious feel while offering great functionality and convenience. This is why they are becoming a popular choice among Australians.
The bifold door is made from multiple panels that fold together like a concertina and slide along a track to open. They are very space efficient because the panels stack against the wall, allowing for smooth closure and opening with minimal clearance.
Bifold doors provide a seamless flow between inside and outdoor spaces. This is because this style opens up the entire wall of windows, allowing the garden to become an extension to your home. Meanwhile, the door folds and takes up minimal space against the wall.
Bifold doors are also excellent from a safety and security perspective. They come with a multi-locking system which features two anti-burglary bolts to prevent intruders. The double glazing also prevents entry through the glass, making it so criminals need to break through two layers of glass to access your home.
When it comes to thermal performance, our bifold doors have the highest thermal performance rating. This is because they feature double glazing which keeps your home cool in hot months and warm in the cold months. This will save you money on your energy bills. Double glazing also stops noise pollution from outside from coming into your home.
Bifold door frames can be made from either timber or aluminium. There are many options when it comes to decoration, allowing you to choose the right style for your home.
Which is Better?
When it comes to figuring out whether sliding doors and bifold doors are best, this ultimately comes down to your needs and tastes.
When it comes to security, both sliding doors and bifold doors are similar. Likewise, both excel in energy efficiency as they feature double glazing. All options are also easy to use and customisable.
Sliding doors have a small aesthetic advantage when closed, with minimal frames interrupting the view. However, neither type of sliding door can open up completely like the bifold doors. Therefore, if you want a seamless connection to the outdoors, bifold doors will suit you.
Additionally, if you have your mind set on uPVC or composite wood and aluminium, sliding doors offer the best option.
Looking for Advice on the Best Glass Door for You?
Why not contact our friendly customer service advisors for advice? Give us a call on (08) 8876 5300 for our Adelaide office or (02) 9833 2993 for our Sydney office. Alternatively, click the live chat button in the bottom right corner of our website to connect with our team.
