Coastal Living in the UK – How UPVC Doors Outperform Alternatives
Living by the sea has countless advantages – beautiful views, fresh air and a unique lifestyle. But coastal conditions also present major challenges for your home. Salt-laden air, high winds and heavy rain can wreak havoc on materials not built to withstand them. When it comes to doors, UPVC has proven itself as the most resilient option for UK coastal living. The Challenge of Coastal Environments Salt particles carried in sea air accelerate the corrosion of metal and the decay of timber. Aluminium, though strong, can corrode within just a few years if protective coatings are scratched or damaged. Timber, while beautiful, is highly vulnerable to swelling, warping and rot without constant maintenance. UPVC, on the other hand, is naturally resistant to salt, moisture and UV exposure. It retains its shape and colour for decades, even in the harshest coastal environments. Did you know? Homes within a mile of the coast experience up to 10 times more salt exposure than inland properties, making material choice critical for longevity. Security and Durability Combined Coastal homes are often exposed to stronger winds and storms. UPVC doors are reinforced with steel or aluminium cores, offering excellent structural stability while maintaining corrosion resistance. Add multi-point locking systems and you get a door that is both secure and storm-proof. Energy Efficiency in Drafty Conditions Seaside breezes might feel refreshing outdoors, but inside your home they mean higher heating costs. UPVC doors feature weather seals, insulated cores and double- or triple-glazed panels that stop draughts and keep your home warm. This energy efficiency is particularly valuable in exposed coastal properties where heating demands can be higher. Low Maintenance for Coastal Lifestyles Timber doors near the coast may require painting or staining every year to combat salt and moisture damage. Aluminium doors need regular inspections and recoating to prevent corrosion. UPVC, however, only requires the occasional clean with soapy water to keep it looking fresh. Did you know? Modern foiled finishes on UPVC doors can resist fading and discolouration from UV rays for over 20 years, even in coastal sunshine. Style Without Compromise Some homeowners worry that choosing UPVC means sacrificing style. That’s no longer the case. Today’s UPVC doors are available in a wide range of colours, finishes, and designs, from traditional panelled front doors to sleek, modern patio doors. Woodgrain foils can replicate the look of timber, allowing you to enjoy the coastal charm without the coastal upkeep. The Clear Choice for Coastal Living For homeowners in coastal towns like Brighton, Scarborough or St Andrews, UPVC doors provide unmatched durability, weather resistance and energy efficiency. They’re the smart, stylish solution for anyone who wants to enjoy the benefits of coastal living without constant maintenance headaches.
What you need to know about Bi-fold doors
It’s hard to miss Bi-fold doors as a statement feature on homes across the country. Whether they are an architectural detail on an expansive property extension or a smart upgrade to an existing sliding patio door, Bi-fold doors always manage to be both eye-catching and practical. This quick guide is an introduction to what’s great about the Bi-fold patio door design and why you may want to consider installing Bi-fold doors in your home. What are Bi-fold doors? Bi-fold doors are expansive doors that are made up of multiple panels or sections that fold back to create an opening through which you can pass. When closed the individual panels are unfolded and spread flat to completely cover the opening. They are also known as folding doors or ‘concertina’ doors after the action required to open and close them. Why Bi-fold doors are a fantastic choice for your property. Bi-folds add a touch of drama to any space. The individually glazed panels let in loads of light and a great view. The large opening makes these doors perfect for providing relaxed access to the garden for alfresco living or summer entertaining. They’re also popular because they give properties a spacious feel. Well-engineered aluminium or uPVC designs are great at giving the illusion of a wall of glass and the modular design can be opened as much or as little as you want. Quick design considerations for your Bi-fold doors Materials used: Bi-folds are available with uPVC, aluminium or wooden frames. uPVC is more cost-effective and has lower maintenance than wood and aluminium. Aluminium is the lightest material with good thermal performance. Wood requires the most maintenance and can shrink and swell over time. Colour: dark Bi-fold door frames featuring greys or black are particularly popular right now. Other colours and finishes are available to complement your property The number of leaves: you can choose the number of sections that your door contains. Narrower and more numerous panels take up less space when folded back than fewer large sections. Custom fitting: corner fitted or extended length Bi-fold doors are entirely possible. Two sets of doors that meet in the corner are currently in demand. Getting Bi-fold right requires building work. The opening within which the Bi-fold doors are installed requires structural surveying. We can assist you in assessing whether the proposed location for your doors is suitable, but a builder will need to make an opening of the appropriate size. Once this work is complete your Bi-folds can be installed. Contact us to get the installation of your new Bi-fold doors underway. We have an extensive inventory of aluminium and uPVC Bi-fold doors available for you to choose your ideal doors. We recommend that you have a home visit for a structural survey and measuring as early as possible to ensure that the design of doors you choose will be suitable for your property. Getting started is as easy as reaching out to our helpful team by phone or email. We look forward to sharing more about this great door design with you.
Why your Bi-folds need a traffic door.
Does your back door serve as the main thoroughfare of your home? If so, upgrading to Bi-fold doors may become a bit of a hassle for people coming and going. Folding and unfolding your doors multiple times per day will take its toll on you and the doors. But there is a smart solution that can provide you with the best of both worlds and is well worth integrating with your Bi-fold patio doors. In this article, we’ll explain the essentials of Traffic Doors and how they can help you enjoy all the benefits of Bi-fold doors in a high traffic area. Getting quick and convenient access to your property can be tricky with Bi-fold doors. In properties where the Bi-fold doors provide only garden access, you cannot enter from outside if the doors are locked as you would with a normal door. Opening the entire set of doors to get to the garden in winter is no fun either. Thankfully the designers of Bi-fold doors had foreseen these issues and have created traffic doors to provide you with the ready access you may need. What are traffic doors? Traffic doors are traditional hinged doors that are integrated into a Bi-fold door design. These conventional doors open separately to the Bi-fold meaning that they can be opened from the inside or outside separately to the Bi-fold mechanism. They can be attached to the Bi-fold system or hinged separately, depending on the number of panels the Bi-folds have. Observed from a distance, they look like another section of the Bi-fold door. Traffic doors are a prudent investment for your new Bi-fold doors. Convenience is the main reason for having a traffic door. You will have Instant easy access while enjoying the stunning design of these contemporary doors. In summer, you can fully open your Bi-fold doors but in the cooler months, using the smaller opening or your traffic door will help you keep your heat inside your home. If security is a particular concern, having access via a smaller opening will be welcome. If you have an alternative garden entrance to your home a traffic door needn’t be a priority. The additional expense of including a traffic door is not needed if you have an alternate garden door. Also if you do not regularly enter your garden via a back door you can enjoy the view with your standard Bi-fold doors. In these situations, upgrading to the very best Bi-folds you can afford, such as aluminium with excellent thermal performance, is the better investment. Talk to us to get your Bi-fold doors done right. We are your local window and door specialist with an outstanding range of uPVC and Aluminium Bi-fold door frames that will complement all sorts of properties. Talk to us about how you can get the right Bi-fold patio door fitted to your property. Not only will we visit your home and survey your property for the feasibility of installing Bi-folds, but we will also measure your property for new Bi-fold doors. No obligation. All for free. Simply call or email us to get started.
