You will have a number of decisions to make during the specification process for your bi-fold doors, and one of the most important choices is whether to opt for double or triple glazed units. Both options can contribute to the overall thermal efficiency of your home. However, Origin’s aluminium triple-glazed bi-folding doors have a certified U-Value of 1.3W/(m2K), surpassing the standard set by the British Building Regulations by an industry-leading 27%. Double glazed units have a U-Value of 1.6, so although not as energy efficient as triple glazing, double glazed units avoid some of the issues common with triple glazed units, and these should be considered before making your final decision. All of our doors are bespoke, so whatever glazing unit size you specify, you can be confident that they have been specifically designed to allow for this – Origin Doors are able to accommodate double (24mm and 28mm) or triple glazed (32mm) units. The Origin Window can be manufactured with double (28mm) and triple (44mm) units.
The doors or windows are manufactured according to the specified glazing size, and rest assured, the tolerances of each component is tested to make sure they can bear the extra weight. Your choice will be based on a number of factors – cost, time, and the energy efficiency targets you are wanting your home to achieve. In the fenestration industry, the brand of the product is rarely the company that fabricates it. Origin have a quite a rare offering in this respect – we design as well as manufacture our own products, so that when a product from Origin has been specified, you can guarantee it has exclusively been crafted by us – from sourcing right through to delivery. This isn’t as simple for system companies that outsource fabrication. A larger amount of space and stock, such as different beads and gaskets, is required to produce the triple glazed units, and the operations and processes will have to be seamless to avoid errors at each of the manufacturing stages. As Origin hold stock of the different glazing gaskets at Origin HQ, it means that doors and windows can be delivered on the same lead times as double glazed units, which can be as little as a day on bi-fold doors and one week on windows.
The clear advantage triple glazing has over double is the increased insulation. The glazing is more efficient at keeping the heat in than double glazing, so can make your home feel warmer. In the winter, it stops the heat from transferring into the outside environment, as well as preventing the cold air from entering the property. In the summer, it has the reverse effect, meaning that the warm air stays out, keeping it cool on the inside. This means that energy bills will be reduced and your rooms will be usable all year round. A further advantage is that the extra layer of glass can reduce external noise pollution and improve acoustics, making it a beneficial choice for homes in urban areas. These differences aside, we look at three important points to consider which will help you make the right choice for your home. In our popular colours, triple glazed units are included in our ‘Your Lead Time, Not Ours’ zero lead time service, but it’s worth bearing in mind that heavier units can take longer to install.
The extra glass in triple glazed units makes the doors significantly heavier, which means fewer units will be able to be delivered in one van as they are likely to exceed the maximum load weight. As an installer will be able to transfer fewer units, this could potentially delay a project, as they will need to make more journeys to your home. If the project requires a glass lifter to move large expanses of glass, then this could increase cost and installation times further. As long as you take these potential costs and delays into account when you choose triple glazed units, your project can still run to your budget and timeframes. Double glazed bi-fold doors are much lighter and so can be delivered without the cost and delay of triple glazing. One of the main benefits of installing bi-folding doors is the superb views they allow and the amount of natural daylight they provide. The additional weight of triple glazing means the maximum panel size available is smaller than when the doors are double glazed, as larger triple glazed doors would be too heavy to operate.
The view is interrupted further as an additional door may be required due to the panel size being smaller, meaning that the door panels would be closer together, which in turn, increases the amount of aluminium profile getting in the way of the view. However, the sightlines of triple glazed aluminium are still impressive when compared to uPVC and timber frames and the benefits of triple glazing go a long way towards negating these drawbacks. As a comparison, Origin’s maximum door panel width for a standard height door (under 2.4m), is 1200mm for double glazed and 900mm for triple glazed doors. Any doors above this height will have a bespoke width, given on a case by case basis. Triple glazed units can cost up to twice as much as a double glazed alternative, so you will need to consider whether the value added to your home will outweigh the high initial cost of triple glazed units. If you plan to stay in your home long term, then adding value to your property may not be a priority, so you can enjoy the benefits of triple glazing without the concern of recovering the costs.
There’s no denying the acoustic and thermal benefits of triple glazed bi-folding doors, but it’s worth weighing up the pros and cons so you can come to a decision whether double or triple glazing is right for your home. Find out how Origin’s electric roller blinds can increase the thermal efficiency of your bi-fold doors and windows. For more information on the thermal efficiency of our bi-folding doors, read our FAQs. For more information on Origin's bespoke bi-folding doors, call the team today on 0808 115 3948.CRL50 & 51 Series Top Hung | CRL70 Series Top Hung | EZ-Slide 80 Top Hung | EZ-Slide 180 Top Hung | CRL285 Series Top Hung | GSDH Bottom Rolling | SDR & SSR Bottom Rolling | Overhead Track Sliding | 2000 Series Sliding Doors | 3000 Series High Performance Sliding Doors | Series E1200 Elephant Doors 08 3220 CRL50 and CRL51 Series Top Hung Sliding Door Systems CRL51 Series Features New "Softbrake" Braking System Models for Single Doors and Synchronized Bi-Parting Doors
Can Accommodate Doors Weighing Up to 176 Pounds (80 kg) The new CRL51 Series Sliding Door Systems are an upgraded version of our tremendously popular CRL50 Series Systems. The CRL51 Series Kits come standard with the new "Softbrake" Braking System, which allows the panels to open and close without slamming into one another. The CRL51 Series has all the great options of its predecessor: sleek design, wall or ceiling mount, top hung, no bottom track, smooth finger touch control, and no holes or notches required in the glass. Systems are also available with 'synchronization' of bi-parting doors where the operation of one panel moves the others. 08 3220 CRL70 Series Top Hung Sliding Door Systems Models for Single and Synchronized Bi-Parting Doors No Notches or Holes Required in the Glass Can Accommodate Doors Weighing Up to 275 Pounds (125 kg) CRL70 Series Top Hung Sliding Door Systems feature a sleek European design that offers wall or ceiling mount options for sliding glass or wood doors, with or without fixed panels.
These top hung systems require no bottom track, and the smooth sliding action allows for finger touch control. Kits come with concealed Roller Stops in the Top Track to hold the door in the open or closed position, a Floor Guide, and a Track Cover in satin anodized finish, with an option for powder paint or cladding in any architectural finish desired. 08 3220 CRL EZ-Slide 80 Top Hung Single Track Sliding Door Kit Rated for Panels Weighing Up to 176 Pounds (80 kg) No Notches or Holes Needed in the Glass for Installation The CRL EZ-Slide 80 Top Hung Single Track Sliding Door Kit is an easy to install cost effective solution to adding 'all-glass' sliding doors in commercial or residential applications. The only glass fabrication required is to polish the edges. If handles or knobs are desired, holes will be required for their mounting. Optional break metal covers are available on special order to help conceal the operating hardware. 08 3220 CRL EZ-Slide 180 Top Hung Single Track Sliding Door Kit
Rated for Panels Weighing Up to 396 Pounds (180 kg) The CRL EZ-Slide 180 Top Hung Single Track Sliding Door Kit is an easy to install cost effective solution to adding 'all-glass' sliding doors in commercial or residential applications. 08 3220 CRL285 Series Top Hung Sliding Door Systems New "Softbrake" Braking System Rated for Doors Weighing Up to 176 Pounds (80 kg) No Notches or Holes Required in the Glass for Installation Maximum Panel Width 60" (1.5 m) The new CRL285 Series Sliding Door Systems are an upgraded version of our tremendously popular CRL280 Series. With the addition of the new "Softbrake" Braking System you never have to worry about the doors slamming open or closed again! The CRL285 Series still has all the great options of its predecessor: sleek design, ceiling or glass mount, top hung, no bottom track, smooth finger touch control, and no holes or notches required in the glass. 08 3220 CRL GSDH Series Bottom Rolling Door System
Top Guide Track Mounts to Wall Can Accommodate Doors Weighing Up to 286 Pounds (130 kg) Brushed or Polished Stainless Steel Finishes The GSDH Series Bottom Rolling Door System features a unique design that gives the door the appearance that it is gliding on air. The Top Guide Track mounts to the wall and provides for secure and smooth operation of the rolling panel. The GSDH Bottom Rolling System is a great alternative when the building structure cannot carry the load of a top hung system. Everything is properly balanced to offer a smooth rolling action with finger touch control. 08 3220 CRL SDR & SSR Bottom Rolling Sliding Door Systems Each Unit Custom Built to Fit the Opening Doors Can Be Aligned Without Removal Saves Valuable Floor Space � Does Not Project Out of the Door Opening CRL Bottom Rolling Sliding Door Systems use the same technology found in our Wedge-Lock™ Door Rails to secure heavy panels of tempered glass to create almost 'frameless' glass doors between interior areas.
Several profiles are available in any of the seven architectural finishes used for our Door and Sidelite Rails in both Tapered and Square Styles. Installation is simplified because each unit is custom built to your specifications for opening size and glass thickness. 08 3220 CRL OTS Overhead Track Sliding Glass Door System Custom Built in Eight Standard Sliding Configurations Available in Six Architectural Finishes Custom Finishes Available on Special Order Silent Moving Four-Roller Carriage Assemblies CRL Overhead Track Sliding Door Systems are designed to work in a variety of different applications. Each unit is custom built to your specifications for opening size, glass thickness, and locking hardware. Maximum panel weight not to exceed 225 pounds (102 kg). Maximum panel width is 72" (1829 mm). Minimum panel width is 15" (381 mm). 08 3220 CRL Laguna Series Sliding Glass Door System New Anti-Lift Features for Added Safety All 316 Alloy Brushed Stainless Steel Construction
Ideal for Interior Applications Custom Adaptor Kits Available for Wood Door Applications We have upgraded our popular Laguna Series Sliding Glass Door System to now include a new 'anti-lift' feature. Through a combination of additions and very subtle changes, we have improved the performance, safety, and security while still offering a clean, simple look. The Laguna Series Sliding Glass Door System can be installed on glass partitions or directly to the side of a sufficiently reinforced wall. 08 3213 CRL-U.S. Aluminum Series 2000 Sliding Doors Sliding and Pocket Doors Available Recessed or Surface Floor Tracks This multi-track slider is engineered with stacking head channels and bottom tracks allowing multiple slider combinations. Rugged overall construction coupled with heavy wall stiles and interlocks create a truly monumental sliding unit. Doors are equipped with flush finger pulls, hooklocks, and cylinders. Adjustable tandem rollers and floor track with stainless steel caps ensure smooth operation and durability.
08 3213 CRL-U.S. Aluminum Series 3000 High Performance Sliding Doors Tested to AAMA LC25, CW40, and CW60 Thermally Broken Stacking Head and Sill Channels Stacking Subsill for High Performance The Series 3000 High Performance Sliding Door is elegantly designed for high end applications such as hotels, condominiums, apartments, and lofts. Tested for both air infiltration and water resistance, as well as for structural performance and thermal efficiency. The 3000 by U.S. Aluminum has topped the list for High Performance Sliding Doors. 08 4329 CRL Series E1200 Elephant Door Operable Storefront System Operable Storefront System With Functioning Doors Allows Maximum Unobstructed Opening Ideal For: Malls, Convention Centers, Museums, Airports, Sports Arenas, Gymnasiums, Car, Truck, and Boat Dealerships The Series E1200 Elephant Door Operable Storefront System is a sliding/pivoting entrance system designed and engineered with versatility and economics in mind.