With modern folding door applications, homeowners no longer need to choose between open plan living and high energy bills, says David Knollman of Brio UK.

The winter months bring with them a period of cosy family nights, sprawling holiday parties and fun festive gatherings. During this time, folding door applications can play an important role in homes by enhancing the style of living environments and creating open-plan communal spaces that remain prepared for any occasion.

However, as the festive guests arrive, so too does the cold weather. The extended UK winter can often see a drop in temperature from December to February and sees homes fighting a rise in energy bills in the process. During the cold snap, homeowners can become increasingly conscious of heating their homes, which can be inflated further when needing to heat large, open plan spaces. Where folding door systems facilitate the use of these spaces, choosing the right door system may also offer a host of thermal efficiency benefits, allowing homes to become less reliant on heating during the wintertime.

Be open to closing space

Thermal insulation is essential to any building project and refers to the products, materials or techniques that help to minimise the transfer of heat between two spaces. When the cold hits, buildings become reliant on these design features to stabilise internal temperature – usually by limiting the flow of heat and therefore reducing the energy needed to heat multiple rooms.

Characteristically, doors are recognised as the natural walkway between spaces, with external doors providing access to outside environments and internal doors enhancing movement from room to room. At the risk of heat loss in these areas, it’s important to consider the thermal efficiency of doorset systems and their materials. Folding doors for example, can support large door set ups around the home, offering unbroken sight lines, greater natural light and unrivalled room flexibility, which is especially useful in guest-filled homes. Equally, they can also create cosy and comfortable environments by sectioning living spaces, whereby rooms and entire areas of a home are effectively closed off when not in use.

In doing so, bi-fold doors can outperform their traditional counterparts in thermal efficiency. When specified correctly, folding doorsets will call upon reliable mechanisms, airtight seals and glazing – each of which can further help installations to retain heat between rooms. Quality hardware systems will ensure a folding door can close to completion and when closed, the sealing mechanisms will produce an airtight seal which can minimise cold air infiltration and reduce heat loss as a result. When paired with low-emission glazed panels that increase solar heat gain, folding door systems can minimise heat transfer between the interior and exterior of homes, lowering energy consumption and helping homeowners to reduce their energy bills during the winter.

Insulation in style

The distinctive design of folding door profiles is often a deciding factor for many that choose to embrace these modern doorsets in their home. Yet, just as aesthetics and functionality can improve property value, so too can thermal performance.

Whereas the unique design of sliding doors usually leaves fewer gaps as a way of retaining heat, the energy efficiency of bi-fold doors is more effectively linked to the door system’s materials and installation. As such, adopters are encouraged to use trained professionals when installing the doorset, ensuring each element  is fitted correctly first time. Similarly, end users are also reminded to review their folding doorsets at regular intervals post-installation. Closer inspections can reveal drafts as a result of damaged seals and weather stripping and whether a door’s mechanisms are operating as intended and therefore closing to completion.

In any situation, the combination of poor quality systems and inaccurate installation can leave homeowners paying out more in the long term. The insulation properties of quality folding door applications on the other hand, can help homeowners to enjoy the best of both worlds during the winter – keeping homes heated in style until the sun decides to show itself again.

For more information, visit: www.briouk.com