Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jan 12, 2010 9:26 am I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I couldn't find it in the search.... Anyhoo - we are deliberating whether to have timber bifolds or timber sliding from the meals into the alfresco. We can get fly screens for both, so that's ok, but was wondering whether the cost of the bi folds realy justified them...and any issues maintenance wise? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts... M My house and my rants.... - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=26937 We are in!!!...and still unpacking. Thankfully there are always Tim Tams Re: Timber bi-folds versus timber sliding 2Jan 12, 2010 9:55 am hmmm, we are building with EB, and iours came standard with bi-folds (aluminium), we had to pay extra for the sliding doors... Re: Timber bi-folds versus timber sliding 3Jan 12, 2010 11:34 am I guess timber bifolds look better if you want to pay for them. Functionality.. not sure. Maintenance is probably the same for both. You can get flyscreens for bifolds now?? Re: Timber bi-folds versus timber sliding 4Jan 12, 2010 11:39 am Salt&PepperMkII I guess timber bifolds look better if you want to pay for them. Functionality.. not sure. Maintenance is probably the same for both. You can get flyscreens for bifolds now?? Flyscreens have been available for bifolds for a long time, they just aren't cheap and sort of defeat the purpose of having bifolds in the first place. Although the ones on this website look unobtrusive http://www.flyfree.com.au/new/?CFID=188 ... N=33040772 To answer the op, we have bifolds and have had no maintenance issues so far, we have been in our house for over 2 years. Re: Timber bi-folds versus timber sliding 5Jan 12, 2010 11:52 am I suppose the biggest difference between the two is bifold doors collapse to the side quite nicely, while sliding doors will still block a section of the opening, equal to the width of each panel. You'd get more of an 'open room' feel with bifolds. Stefan Building the M3tr!con Liberty 42 at Stonecutters Ridge. The New Build Blog - "Life, In Progress." Stonecutters Ridge Community Website | My photos Re: Timber bi-folds versus timber sliding 6Jan 12, 2010 12:33 pm We are just having double sliding aluminum doors to our alfresco. Timber does not interest me due to the up keep required on the external frames its its just varnished/oiled as it will fade and peel. Check out peoples homes that are a few years old now with wooden frame windows at the front of the house. It looked great on the display and when it was brand new but not so now. As for the sliding or bi-folding i've read here in a few posts that bi-fold doors rattle and shake when its windy where as the sliding dont. NO EXPECTATIONS, NO DISAPPOINTMENTS! Build Thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=27441 Landscaping Thread: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=43969 Re: Timber bi-folds versus timber sliding 7Jan 12, 2010 2:29 pm Timber vs aluminum - it can also have a lot to do with the era of the house. I am renovating an old house and want to use timber stay with that. If I built a new house i'd probably go aluminum. So what you are doing might influence your chose of material too. I haven't noticed my bi-folds ever rattle. Also consider if this will be a standard exit to the house. For example, I went 3 fold so that one door could actually be used like a door. If i went 4 fold, the doors would have to concertina to open. Might not be the easiest with your arms full with the laundry basket I needed all the space i could get so didn't want the sliding door to block a section of the opening. Re: Timber bi-folds versus timber sliding 8Jan 12, 2010 3:50 pm boiselfish We are just having double sliding aluminum doors to our alfresco. Timber does not interest me due to the up keep required on the external frames its its just varnished/oiled as it will fade and peel. Check out peoples homes that are a few years old now with wooden frame windows at the front of the house. It looked great on the display and when it was brand new but not so now. That depends entirely on: - the orientation of the doors (north-facing will have more sun exposure) - whether they're under cover. In an al fresco room, maintenance should be infrequent - the quality of the stain and varnish used. Ours are over 12 months old and look as good as new, thanks to being well under cover. Our windows on the facade now need a re-do and so does the step on our north-facing french doors....but I'll use better quality varnish than the builder used. I can handle a yearly sand and paint on one lot of windows and one set of doors. boiselfish As for the sliding or bi-folding i've read here in a few posts that bi-fold doors rattle and shake when its windy where as the sliding dont. No rattling at all from our bifolds, they're as solid as a rock. I've seen timber sliders that are a problem with both rattling, and a large gap between the panes letting draughts and dust in though. I'm not sure whether that's just poor installation. I love being able to open an entire wall up - two walls, actually. Wouldn't swap them for a million bucks Well, maybe I would for a million bucks.... Re: Timber bi-folds versus timber sliding 9Jan 12, 2010 4:13 pm Thank you all for your fab replies. The house comes standard with aluminum bifolds, but at the back of the house leading out to the alfresco I really wanted the timber look. (and they won't be exposed to the elements as its completely undercover) It's a cost thing - about 3500 for bifold vs 800 for sliding. Big difference and I'm trying to ascertain whether it's worth it as I admit I really love timber bifolds....but... thanks again....and keep more opinions/advice coming... My house and my rants.... - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=26937 We are in!!!...and still unpacking. Thankfully there are always Tim Tams Re: Timber bi-folds versus timber sliding 10Jan 12, 2010 4:42 pm We;re getting two sets of bifolds and the plan is they will join and connect with each other.... so no supporting beam between the two. Ive seen it in pictures, not in real life, so Im hoping it all works out. And I havent got a quote yet... Im too scared too Found a pic Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Custom European Cabinets - Melbourne Kitchen Specialist PM for business details as website currently being updated! Our Crazy Owner Builder Journey! Re: Timber bi-folds versus timber sliding 11Jan 12, 2010 5:23 pm I've seen them in real life, Bam and they look fab! My husband would have killed for a house design that allowed us to do that, but I suspect he would have had a stroke when he saw the cost. is the water view included? Re: Timber bi-folds versus timber sliding 12Jan 12, 2010 6:25 pm Bam We;re getting two sets of bifolds and the plan is they will join and connect with each other.... so no supporting beam between the two. Ive seen it in pictures, not in real life, so Im hoping it all works out. And I havent got a quote yet... Im too scared too Found a pic Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ That's what we're doing - pillar delete. As for the cost, well...it's a bit dear. Worth it though in my opinion. Stefan Building the M3tr!con Liberty 42 at Stonecutters Ridge. The New Build Blog - "Life, In Progress." Stonecutters Ridge Community Website | My photos Re: Timber bi-folds versus timber sliding 13Jan 13, 2010 3:43 pm Looks gorgeous - and it is. But (and I promise I'm not trying to rain on your parade ) they have been known to have some issues with movement. DH worked in a display home that had them, and the movement of the house meant that they couldn't be opened and closed and they had to be replaced. I'm just letting you know... But they are spectacular. Still not sure of which door to go for. I still love the bi-folds, but they are expensive Sigh.... Thanks for your thoughts... My house and my rants.... - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=26937 We are in!!!...and still unpacking. Thankfully there are always Tim Tams we have a standard size and often we have a lot of variety to choose 0 3575 Thanks Chippy,I do have one that I levered out. I'll try to find a brand name on the windows then do some searching. Here is a photo where you can see how worn they are. 2 7953 We are looking for sliding doors which are 5 metres tall. There are a few European options. Any manufacturers in Australia or distributors? 0 5039 |