A bi-fold renovation gives home the ‘wow factor’

When Alison and husband, Mike, decided to create an open-plan living space, Origin folding sliding doors gave them the character-filled space they wanted. Having seen and heard about bi-folding doors on home renovating programmes, the couple quickly realised that adding bi-folding doors would be able to make this dream a reality and knew that this was the solution for them.

They knew that bi-folding doors would make better use of the living space in comparison to the sliding patio doors that were currently in place, and loved the fact that they were able to create a seamless link between the inside and out.

Being a structural engineer meant that Mike was already aware of the key benefits associated with aluminium bi-folding doors (durability, thermal efficiency and low maintenance), so decided that this was the optimum material to go for. After a personal recommendation from close friends, Alison and Mike quickly got in touch with Origin, a UK manufacturer of bespoke aluminium bi-folding doors, meaning that the choice of picking a manufacturer was an easy one.

Looking at the different styles, colours and options available, Alison quickly made up her mind in what she wanted and booked the installation. She loved the fact that Origin manufactures everything in its UK factory, so they have complete control over the quality of the product and that she was able to customise her doors, even down to the colour of the hinges.

Alison and Mike specified a five-door set for the lounge, a three-door set for the dining area and an additional three-door set for one of their son’s bedrooms. All aluminium bi-folds were finished with dark silver powder coat to promote a modern fresh look throughout the home.

The five-door set was fitted into an aperture of 5080mm with each door leaf measuring 969mm wide by a standard height of approximately 1971mm. The three-door set for the dining area was fitted into an aperture of 3290mm with each door leaf measuring 1047mm wide by a standard height of approximately 1986mm.

“Opening up our space has also reduced our heating bills,” remarks Alison. “The doors are so thermally efficient, so much so, that we no longer require the additional radiators we had installed a few years ago.”

The new Origin doors completely blocked the draught the previous doors let in, and more importantly, they kept the cold out and heat in. The bi-fold renovations started in May 2013 and were manufactured and delivered in 11 days and took around two months to complete, and it is true to say that the new doors have changed the family’s life. The once cold rooms with outdated patio doors have now been replaced, allowing the streamlined design of the doors to subtly co-ordinate with the interior, creating an open-plan living space and connecting the garden to the house.

www.origin-global.com