DOORS , WINDOWS & FITTINGS
LAYER UP YOUR SPACE WITH FOLDING DOORS
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 .
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