Fantastic Homes deserve Amazing Doors - Photographs

To celebrate the fact that we've all been able to enjoy the garden recently, we are going to show off some of the fantastic homes where we've had the privilege of installing our amazing UltraSlim fully retractable patio doors, both bi folding and sliding-pivot models!

In the photograph above are two sets of 5 doors which can be fully opened to the sides of the openings (retractable) when required. They have been installed in a new extension that houses a fabulous kitchen and will open onto a large new patio/decking. Note that all the doors have integral slated blinds fitted within the double glazing cavity.

Another contemporary kitchen in a new extension is shown in the photograph above. Both sets of doors lead to the lovely courtyard garden. UltraSlim doors enable the garden to be part of the house, visually, even when closed, creating a spacious feel.
 

This home (above) has been designed to embrace an outdoor lifestyle, with an extensive patio accessible from three sides of the house via fully retractable patio doors.

The SunSeeker Doors' range offers the slimmest door frames available for retractable doors - by several centimetres! Choose our UltraSlim bi folds or slide-pivot styles to future-proof your contemporary styling. If you prefer classic bifolds, we can supply those too.

Our new website will be ready to view soon. Meanwhile you can browse the current site for information at www.sunseekerdoors.co.uk

Patio Doors for Today's Lifestyle: Revolutionary UltraSlim Bifolds

Bear with us as we streamline our branding and re-vamp our website to deliver a browsing experience worthy of our state-of-the-art patio/bi folding doors.

SunSeeker Doors "UltraSlim" are patio doors with the slimmest side-frames available in the UK today. We launched the original UltraSlim three years ago, a door system that enabled all the doors to slide to the end of the opening and to pivot 90 degrees in order to stack, out of the way, to the side of the opening. These were similar to bi folding doors but each door could slide and turn independently.

A few months ago, SunSeeker again developed new technology to add bi folding doors to the UltraSlim* range. The bifolds have the same slim side-frames - only 19mm - and the doors are hinged together, opening with a zig-zag folding-sliding motion.

SunSeeker designs, develops, manufactures and installs SunSeeker UltraSlim Doors in the UK, within a reasonable radius of our base off the M1 motorway in Bedfordshire. Our doors lead the way and others eventually follow. We continue to be innovative and develop for the future. Our UltraSlim Bifolds are revolutionary in their field.

Contact us direct for further information or a no-obligation quotation.

*At launch, UltraSlim Bifolds were called SuperSlim to distinguish from our standard Slimline bi folding doors, which we have been installing in England since 2003.

Video Demo of SuperSlim Bi Folding Doors in Action!

Our client has clearly been having a lot of work done, as can be seen from the builders' rubble our installation team encountered on arrival!

However, the bi folding doors fitted perfectly, the super slimline aluminium frames enabling a greater expanse of glass than all other makes of bifolding patio doors, to maximise natural lightflow into the room when the doors are closed. And, of course, when the doors are open, as they are fully retractable for maximum access width.


When the building work is finished and attention turns to the garden, the customer will have a lovely enclosed patio to enjoy next spring. Seamless indoor/outdoor lifestyle.

For more information, visit SuperSlim Bifolds on the SunSeeker Doors website. Or click here to request a quotation.

SuperSlim Bi Folding Doors: Frame Colours and Glass options

A quick guide to choosing bi folding doors for your home.

As you may know, SunSeeker Doors is the only British manufacturer of bi folding patio doors with super-slimline side frames on the folding-sliding doors. Due to our uniquely designed innovative hinge and locking systems, we are able to produce doors with a frame-width of under 2cm (less than 1") compared with most other systems, which start in excess of 6cm (2.5" upwards).

Two frames together have a sightline of around 4cm. What frame colour would look best in your sightline? The most popular colour is a traditional white, easy to match with existing frames, painted, powder-coated or pvc. There are a number of other neutral tones that have become increasingly popular in recent times. These are: slate grey, graphite grey, anthracite grey, black, silver and cream. Sepia and some shades of greens and blues have also been specified from our full range of around 200 industry standard RAL colours. You can read more about the colour options and link through to the RAL chart from the aluminium frame colours page of the website.

The double-glazing between the frames is generally supplied as K-glass™ British Kite-marked and adhering to the required CE standard. However, for an additional cost, there are options of: laminated, Argon-filled, antisun, tinted, obscured, leaded-light and Georgian bar. We also offer integral horizontal blinds, the most popular being narrow slatted Venetian style in neutral colours, managed by a magnetised pull-rope. The technology has been tried and tested for almost ten years, is reliable and has the added advantage of no dusting or cleaning - ever!

So... before place your order, submit an obligation-free comparative patio door quotation request.

Choosing Between Aluminium UltraSlim or SuperSlim Bi Folding Doors

Aluminium Frames - Features & Benefits

SunSeeker Doors has long heralded Slimline Bi Folding Doors based upon the strength of the aluminium door frames. When compared with plastic or timber frames, aluminium frames retain their strength and durability even though they are considerably slimmer, both in profile and sightline.

Other benefits of aluminium frames include the finish. Powder-coating the frames in any of 200-ish colours offers a wider choice over alternative materials. The coating is extremely resiliant and, unless abused, will never require maintenance. No painting, ever. Just an occasional wipe with a damp cloth if, for example, muddy paws or handprints are in evidence.

Aluminium has come a long way in the decades since Crittal window frames were installed! Window and door frames have been developed to comply to EU and British standard thermal ratings. Thermally-broken aluminium frames mean that heat and cold cannot easily pass through from inside to outside or vice versa.

Retractable Doors - Features and Benefits

SunSeeker Doors manufactures a range of retractable patio doors. These are doors that fully open up for maximum walk-through width. The most popular style of retractable door that is widely available is the bi folding door. Bi-folds are also known as concertina, accordian, zig-zag or sliding-folding doors.

SunSeeker Slimline Bifolds have been installed throughout England for a number of years. Made to measure, often within 2-4 weeks, they are often specified by architects whose clients have provided good feedback. Subject to the support above the bi folding doors installation, retractable doors can be used for widths of up to 7metres. They are easy to slide open and closed in seconds. 

With the doors closed, there is a feeling of spaciousness and an abundance of natural light through the expanse of glass. With the doors fully open, the home and garden are seemless living areas.

The newer style of retractable glass door looks similar to bi folding but each door is independent as there are no hinges joining them together. These are slide and turn or slide-pivot doors and the double-glazed versions are fairly unique to SunSeeker Doors. At the time of publication, no other manufacturer is believed to have aluminium-frame slide-pivot retractable doors.

As with Bi folding doors, slide-pivot doors have a standard master door that will pivot open normally. Unlike bifolds, the other doors will slide along the guides towards the open door and each can also pivot open, as many as required.

SunSeeker Doors' slide-pivot systems include Frameless Glass Doors (single glazed doors are not for use as patio doors but ideal retractable room dividers) and UltraSlim, with a 0.19cm side frame per door.

New Super Slimline Bi Folding Doors

The newly launched SuperSlim bi folding door also has a 0.19cm side frame. SunSeeker has invested more than a year of research into developing new locking and hinge systems to reduce the frame width associated with standard bi folding door frames. No other manufacturer is currently able to offer a similar bi fold with only 0.38cm sightline between two closed doors.

Why Choose SunSeeker Slimline Doors for your Property?

There is a wide choice of retractable patio doors with kite-marked double glazing that adhere to EC and British Standards. Some, including SunSeeker Doors, are manufactured in the UK and installed by the company's own team. Once you narrow down the available options of aluminium frames, possibly glass options and integral blinds, there are still a few companies in the mix.

If you want to maximise the glass area by selecting retractable doors with the slimmest sightlines, you need to choose between UltraSlim and SuperSlim.

Which Slimline Doors are Best for You - UltraSlim or SuperSlim?

UltraSlim's individual doors may not be your favourite choice if you have six or more doors to open and close. Other than that, the main decider is where you want the main door to open and which side you want the doors to stack.

The difference is illustrated in the image below:

These are 3-door systems with the main door on the left as you face the doors from inside the room. With bi folding doors, you them slide all doors from the left to stack on the right. With individual slide-pivot doors, each door slides towards the left for turning and stacking on the left.

Although, another nice touch with slide and turn doors is that you can open the first door and slide the next door across to keep a single width central opening or slide both doors to the left, without turning them, to have the walk-through space on the right.

Visit SunSeekerDoors.co.uk for a video demonstration of the versatility of UltraSlim slide-pivot doors.

Bristol Architect specifies SunSeeker Doors - Again!

TESTIMONIAL

Mark, an architect based in the Bristol area, has specified SunSeeker Doors for his clients' projects for more than five years.

"Many thanks for the excellent doors and windows. They look great and the client loves them."

---

No other UK door manufacturer has the range of contemporary bi folding and sliding door styles offered by SunSeeker Doors. No other UK door manufacturer can offer bi folding doors with 2cm aluminium side frames.

SunSeeker Slimline Doors range comprises:

• SUPERSLIM Super Slimline bi-folds with 19mm side frames
• ULTRASLIM retractable sliding doors with 19mm side frames
• FRAMELESS Double-Glazed sliding doors
• Slimline Traditional bi folding doors
• Frameless Glass Doors

The company had its origins in powder-coating aluminium for its client base and began designing and manufacturing aluminium-framed innovative doors more than ten years ago. SunSeeker Slimline aluminium bifolding doors became popular during the 'noughties' enabling the company to invest and develop new door technology. Single-glazed Frameless Glass doors were introduced as room dividers and external enclosures whilst the technology was applied to double-glazed doors. SunSeeker Frameless double-glazed doors were the first of their kind to be certified to British Standards.

SunSeeker Doors built on this technology to introduce UltraSlim doors, their best selling product over the past two years. During this time, the team began working towards development of SuperSlim bi folding doors, which 'hinged' on the radical re-design of the way bi-folding doors were hinged together!

SuperSlim bi folds look very similar to UltraSlim sliding-pivot doors. Both are fully retractable and available with the same frame colour choice, glass options and integral blinds. There is an illustrated explanation of the way the doors operate differently, to help customers choose the better door style for their specific installation, together with comparative photographs of the doors. Visit SUPERSLIM v ULTRASLIM.

Link to more Testimonials for SunSeeker Doors.

Preview: Revolutionary New 2cm Bi Folding Door

SunSeeker Doors has been developing and manufacturing innovative patio doors for more than ten years. We are the only manufacturer to offer a range of Retractable Slimline Doors made in England, that include Slimline aluminium bi folding, UltraSlim slide and turn and Double-Glazed Frameless Doors.

The new Bi Folding Door is truly revolutionary, with side frames of less than 2 cm. There is no other bi folding door* available today that has such a SuperSlim frame.

It is entirely due to our revolutionary fork-hinge system, designed in-house, which enables the doors to zig-zag as they are opened.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for further details as we launch our latest fantastic bi-folds!

*to our knowledge - and we searched extensively!

Comparing Different Styles of Glazed Patio Doors

French Doors vs in-Line Sliding vs Bi Folding vs Slide-And-Turn Patio Doors

With the introduction of Slide and Turn Patio Doors in 2010, there are now four basic options to choose from when upgrading your home

French Doors.
For centuries, French Doors were the default wider access doors for access to private gardens, accommodating openings from approximately four feet to six feet wide. Originally constructed from wood with glass panes, they consist of a pair of hinged panels that meet in the centre of the opening. Now also available in a choice of pvc, aluminium or composite frames, French doors are still popular today, particularly for smaller new-build homes.

Sliding Doors.
In-line sliding doors became popular about fifty years ago. The main advantage was the additional width of the glass panels for viewing out and for allowing natural sunlight in. There is generally no additional access benefit as one panel slides behind the other on a two-door system; three glass panes on three tracks would afford greater access. Occasionally, sliding glass would be installed as 'pocket doors' that could slide inside the cavity walls. Over the decades, there have been numerous improvements, from single to double glazing and to the quality of the sliding track gear. It is now possible to install sliding doors with glazed panels of up to six metre widths.

Bi Folding Doors.
Around the turn of the century, home-owners became interested in bi folding doors, also known as sliding-folding, concertina or accordion doors, to describe the zig-zag folds. Primarily, patio bi folds comprise a set of double-glazed doors with timber, metal, plastic or composite frames onto which hinges are mounted to facilitate a folding action as the panels slide along the top and bottom guide rails. Bi folding doors have grown in popularity during the past ten years as more people have replaced old sliding patio doors or built new extensions with almost full walls of glass, as six or seven metres of bi folds can easily be incorporated.

Almost the whole width of the installed door-set can provide walk-through access as the bi folds are fully retractable. Panoramic views are better with slimmer aluminium frames than with clumsy-looking pvc as there is more glass and less frame. Aluminium frames are also available in more colours as they can be powder-coated in white, grey, black, silver, blue, green, sepia or over a hundred other options.

Slide-and-Turn Doors.
Most recently, a newer innovation in retractable doors was launched. At the time of writing, only two or three British companies manufacture and install slide-and-turn or slide-and-pivot doors, as others are still in development. Slide-and-Turn doors are a hybrid of sliding, pivot and bi folding doors.

All the doors in the set are able to pivot and will also slide along top and floor guides; like bi folds, they are fully retractable for maximum width access. One of the features of the slide-and-turn system is that there are no hinges necessary for folding the doors which means that the width and strength required of the side frames can be minimised. The benefits of less frame and more glass are: increased natural light and wider views between the slim frames.

Slide-and-turn doors do not necessarily need frames; there are frameless versions available but double glazed units have a thermal seal around the cavity, which can look 'ugly' and the frames will cover it. This style of door is installed with at least one conventional pivot door that may be opened inwards or outwards by ninety degrees (at right-angles to the closed position), leaving a space into which the adjacent door can slide so that the opening is further along the track. Alternatively, the second door can then be opened alongside the first door, leaving a two-door gap, and so on, until all the doors have been opened or spaced as required.

British door manufacturer, SunSeeker Doors, were one of the first companies to develop the double-glazed slide-and-turn door. In the four years since its launch, annual sales of UltraSlim patio doors have overtaken annual sales of their standard bi folding door, introduced over ten years ago. Product details and image galleries on www.sunseekerdoors.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bee_Primrose
http://EzineArticles.com/?French-Doors-Vs-in-Line-Sliding-Vs-Bi-Folding-Vs-Slide-And-Turn-Patio-Doors&id=8542829

Don't Dismiss Bi Folding / Patio Doors for Your Period Home

Some people might dismiss the practical benefits of aluminium bi folding patio doors because they feel that the modern styling is not in keeping with existing windows and doors to their home. Instead, they feel that traditional French Doors with timber frames might provide the only answer. Sometimes, there are other alternatives...

The Versatility of Aluminium Frames

Aluminium frames are available in a number of colours and finishes therefore if you need to replace 50s crittal windows or blend in with pvc frames, there is a solution. If your white-washed cottage has black painted window frames (or other colours) then black powder-coated frames may be the ideal choice - with the added benefit that, unlike painting timber frames, the aluminium will require only an occasional wipe with a damp cloth to keep it looking good.

Glass Options for Bi Folding / Patio Doors

The double-glazing in bi folding patio doors can have diamond-shaped leaded-light panes to blend with windows in an old picturesque cottage, square leaded glass for a Georgian house or bars for an Art Deco style home.

If the period of your home happens to be more contemporary, glass options include tinted and obscured glass; frames can be green, blue, copper, graphite or virtually any colour - there is a choice of almost 200 RAL colours available.

Bi Folding Doors or Ultra Slim?

Depending on the property and the lifestyle of its owners, there is another alternative: UltraSlim frame patio door. The same glass options are available, including integral slatted blinds, and the 19mm side frames facilitate a wider viewing area through the glass.

More information about bi folding doors, UltraSlim and frameless glass doors can be found on the SunSeeker Doors website.

Aluminium Bi Fold Doors: Competitive Pricing

We are genuinely delighted to announce that 2013 was OUR THIRD SUCCESSIVE RECORD YEAR at SunSeeker Doors. We have installed more Slimline bi folding doors and UltraSlim patio doors than ever before.

UltraSlim is a different kind of door. It is a set of sliding patio doors that pivot and stack to the side of the opening, enabling maximum access through when fully open - like bi folds but without the hinges. The advantage of UltraSlim is the slimmer side frames for fewer interruptions across your viewing expanse.

Our Slimline bi folds prices have remained competitive despite a rise in the cost of metal, as we negotiated our pricing well in advance. This has been a considerable factor in managing our costs and maintaining our prices during 2012/2013. We are pleased to announce that this will continue for most of this year, too.

At SunSeekerDoors, we use innovative technology to design our own doors and manufacture them here in Britain. We use our own installation teams to ensure that each customer has the same standard of expertise, rather than risk your project and our reputation with unknown contractors. We only sell direct to our clients - you won't find SunSeeker Doors in dealers' showrooms. This means that we don't have to inflate our prices to pay the middle-man. A win-win situation for ourselves and our customers.

What are you waiting for? Visit our website and submit a quote request for Slimline bifolds and UltraSlim retractable sliding doors, then decide which one is best for your home.

Bi Folding Doors Security, Locking Options

For security purposes, SunSeeker bi folding doors are generally installed with a locking/unlocking function from inside the home only. More recently, we have been asked if we would provide the option of locking and unlocking the doors from outside, too.

Yes! We are happy to be able to offer external locking as an option when you order your bi folding doors. Just let us know.

New Regulations for Double-Glazed Doors and Windows: CE Marking.

We’ve all seen the CE mark on various products over the years, e.g. toys and drinking glasses. From 1st July 2013, the CE mark applies to construction products, including glazed external doors and windows.

The performance standard differentiates between replacement doors and doors for new buildings including extensions. New-build doors must achieve an overall rating of 2 watts per square whereas replacement doors have to achieve a U-value of 1.8 overall.

Manufacturers of glazed external doors will be required to draw up a Declaration of Performance (DoP) that accepts responsibility to ensure that the door or window conforms to the declared performance. A DoP must list all the ‘Essential Requirements’ which includes the U-value and conformance to relevant Building Regulations.

The DoP must also contain other information, including the intended use or uses for the windows or doors, e.g. whether for pedestrian use, external, domestic or commercial locations. EU manufacturers must add a CE mark to all glazed doors and windows and imports must have a DoP - the Trading Standards Authority is charged with ensuring conformity with the new directive.

All double-glazed SunSeeker Doors have been tested for compliance and have all achieved the required 1.8 U-value necessary for replacement doors, giving home-owners a choice of chic Frameless or UltraSlim slide-and-turn doors or Slimline aluminium bi folds in place of old patio doors. All our double-glazed units are Kite-marked, too.

SunSeeker Slimline Bi folding Doors have been rated at 2, which also makes them the ideal choice for new extensions and new homes.

Unusual Bifolding Doors & Windows Installation in Hertfordshire

Barn doors on an outbuilding in the Hertfordshire countryside reveal a surprise when opened ... bifolding doors and windows from Luton-based manufacturer/installer, SunSeeker Doors.

Made to order to fit your exact requirements, our bi-folding doors have sturdy aluminum frames, BSI Kite-marked double glazing and a ten-year track record.

Slimline Bifolding doors and our UltraSlim slide-and-turn patio doors are both fully retractable. Their aluminium frames are available in a range of colours.

For interiors, we manufacture a frameless tempered glass door.

Visit our website for full information of available door styles from an established UK door company.

Slimline & UltraSlim Doors Sales and Installations

Owners of SunSeeker Bi Folding Doors benefit from our 10 years of development which has been carried through to our newer, innovative, retractable sliding doors products, UltraSlim and Frameless Glass Doors.

Despite the recession, our dedicated, hard-working team and many of our satisfied customers have helped to spread the word about our good quality, value-for-investment doors. Business has been steadily rising year-on-year and, so far, 2013 is no exception.

Thank you to everyone who is helping to make this possible.

A family run business based in Bedfordshire near the M1, SunSeeker Doors is a British manufacturer of aluminium framed bifolds and slide-pivot retractable doors.

Sightline Extra Large Glass Doors

Recently, Sightline Doors was launched to bring Extra Large Glass sliding doors to householders and owners of commercial premises who require large leaf glass doors. Each glass door has a maximum dimension of 3m x 6m, for extra wide or extra tall entrances.

There are two extra wide doors on this building. Either door may be opened with ease, creating ample room for people to pass through, several at a time! With the doors closed, there is a very slim sight-line as the side frames have only a 14mm width.

By contrast, the longer side of the glass  has been used to create height for the doors on this building - compare the height of the glass doors with the doors in the office wall inside.

Sightline extra large glass doors are available from SunSeeker Doors. We also install Slimline bifolds and UltraSlim glass doors.

A Warm Home in the Winter

This is not your usual "replace all windows and doors with double glazing" sales talk - we only manufacture glass doors (and not for front entrance doors, either). However, one of our clients who has our bi folding patio doors, told us that they really make the room warm whenever there is a glimpse of sunshine yet they are not cold to touch, even when it's cold outside ... and she likes the view through the bi folding doors.

As it's snowing today, we thought we'd pass it on. SunSeeker bi folding doors are made with thermally-broken aluminium frames and kite marked double glazing units; they exceed British standards for thermal values. SunSeeker bi folds can be installed between your home and conservatory, garden or balcony.

These clients have great views:

We manufacture all our doors in the UK and can often install in under four weeks. Feel free to browse our website and compare all our glass doors. 

Winter. Quality Glazing is important!

A blanket of snow covering buildings and flora - and hiding the less pretty objects - is enchanting to behold.

Best viewed from a centrally-heated home through double-glazed bi folding doors! Or through our UltraSlim or Frameless Glass Doors. All our patio doors are manufactured using the latest technology and with kite-marked double-glazing, exceeding thermal values of old double-glazed units from last century. In fact, exceeding current British and European standards.

If you are thinking about replacing old patio doors or French doors, consider our product range. We offer a choice of Frameless, UltraSlim or Slimline doors. Request a no-obligation comparative quote for all options.

Below is a short description of each door style:

• Slimline: bi folding doors with aluminium frames
• UltraSlim: sliding pivot doors / ultra slim aluminium frames
• Frameless: similar to slimline but without side frames on the doors

All these doors are fully retractable and are manufactured at our premises in England: www.SunSeekerDoors.co.uk

Frameless Glass Doors Project - Photographs

Following the Frameless Glass Doors testimonial from Mrs & Mrs Walpole, we are pleased to publish the photographs that they kindly supplied.

Request your Frameless Glass Doors quotation or visit our installation gallery pages:

• Frameless Glass Doors (tempered glass)
• Frameless Glass Doors (double glazed)
• UltraSlim Retractable Sliding Doors *
• Slimline Aluminium Bi Folding Doors *

*(double glazed with optional integral blinds)

Sliding Folding Doors - Uppingham

"Good Morning, You have previously supplied us personally with some doors which we were extremely pleased with, we are main contractors on the above job and have recommended your company to our client..."

Many Thanks
Kevin Bray
Custom Joinery Services
Tel - 01780 482050

Our thanks to this customer for the photograph as well as the testimonial and recommendation.

Video: easy to use bi folding doors. See it. Believe it.

There is a good reason that bi folding doors have become popular. Compared with French doors, they offer a more panoramic view and when compared with sliding doors, they offer greater access. You could say that they combined the best of both yet it has taken around ten years for bi folding doors to 'take off'.

This is largely due to the cost and timing of any home improvement project but also partly down to the less pioneering home-owner who wants to ensure that bi folding door systems actually work properly and will last a good number of years. The video is taken at a customer's home and shows a set of SunSeeker bi folding doors that were installed in 2007.

Mindful of the longevity issue, SunSeeker Doors developed the sliding-folding doors system using good quality aluminium frames and have been installing their concertina-style doors since 2003. British innovation and quality is slightly more expensive than cheap imported copies (but not in the long run). SunSeeker bi-folds are manufactured at their Bedfordshire site and installed by their own experienced teams.

Sturdier than pvc and with far lower maintenance that timber, aluminium frames are 'thermally broken' so that extreme temperatures from outside are not transferred inside the home.

Notes. A strong magnet keeps the main door from swinging in the wind when open. The integral blinds controller can be removable or fixed; it works with magnets inside the glazing cavity to open/close the slats and to raise/lower the blinds.

Please visit www.sunseekerdoors.co.uk for a free quotation for your bi folding doors or to see our range of retractable patio doors, room dividers and enclosures.