Maximizing the view of your garden

Sliding vs Bi-fold glazing 

Massive, wide openings would not have been possible without XXth century methods of construction such as the steel structure, and in the past 20 years great improvements have been made in window profiles and glass, which have allowed trends such as the open plan and curtain walls.

Especially in the UK, where almost every home has a garden, it is possible to link internal living areas visually and physically with this precious, private little bit of nature. In large urban areas such as London this is a luxury which is well worth the cost.

The main advantages of glazing and curtain walls are:

-Continuity between internal and external spaces, garden, nature and landscape. 

-Expansive views which definitely give a wider/larger perception of the space, a key factor in small, reduced spaces.

-They maximize the use of natural light.

The main disadvantages are:

-Cost.

-Acoustic Insulation: not comparable to that of a cavity brick wall.

-Thermal Insulation and thermal bridging: although great advances have been achieved recently, a solid brick cavity wall performs much better. 

-Maintenance: mainly cleaning and risk of not working properly ( long term). 

1-Sliding Glazed Doors:

Advantages and disadvantages:

Perhaps the best cost-effective solution in the market, and the one that we ALEZ Architecture & Interiors usually recommend. The user is unable to open the whole surface, and there is an interesting discussion about how important it is to open it completely, especially in cold and humid climates. 

Since the glass extends right down to the threshold when opened, these panes do not need a thick rigid structure to hold them, so larger panes of glass and thinner frames are possible. These are easy to open and more durable, since the mechanism is simpler.

In ALEZ Architecture & Interiors we always recommend the thinnest possible frames and the largest possible panes, generally frames of maximum thickness 20mm to 30mm, because greater thickness might be too much to achieve the desired effect. This really makes a difference and it is  ¨ money well spent¨.  

Here are some of the brands which we recommend:

-Victrosa: Manufacturer based in Switzerland, the most established company, with the best quality and reliability. (It is also the most expensive).

-Fine Aluminum: Well established manufacturer in the UK. Their sliding product is the ‘22 System’.

-Schüco: Sliding System ASE 60 and ASE 80.HI: Perhaps not as thin as the others, but still a good system that performs well in every way.

2-Bi-folds

We  have not always been great fans of bi-folds, and we still have some reticence about them, but there is one evident factor that puts all other options out of competition: they can be opened completely. This appears to be quite a good advantage, but it does have a cost, and there are some other important disadvantages to bear in mind:

- Generally it is more costly per glazed square m2 , compared with products of the same quality

- Frames are thicker

- Panes are smaller

- A more complex mechanism, so easier to break in the long term

- Mullions support a lot of weight when the door is opened, so easier to break in the long term

- In cold/humid climates one needs to consider whether it is worthwhile, and whether it is ever going to be opened.

But sometimes bi-folds are essential, and then there is a system called the ’curtain wall’ system by FGC, incorporating minimal frames which look very attractive aesthetically, and which perform well in terms of thermal insulation. 

Conclusion: Key factors to bear in mind: 

It is important to check and to compare:

-Accessibility to the site (weight and dimensions): at all costs, we want to avoid the use of a crane ‒ this is something to be taken into account when using large panes (sliding).

-Frame thickness, not only of the vertical mullions, which are usually the thinnest, but also of the horizontal mullions.

- Guarantee: Ideally 10 years or more (some companies only offer 5 years). The terms and conditions of the guarantee (the more safeguards the better). It should also be from an established company, who would implement the guarantee if the company disappeared. Consider whether you are buying from the main manufacturer or from a trader.

- U-Value ( thermal performance): the lower, the better; It should be below 1.6 W/m²K (whole item: frame+glass).

- Delivery time from surveying. Are the survey and fabrication drawings, for the client to approve, included?

- Whether the threshold hidden flushed drain is compatible or included, especially if we want the levels of the patio/garden and internal floor to be the same. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this article, we look forward to hearing from you so please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Recommended Reading:

• Unlocking your Property´s Potential: Permitted Development Rights: A Simplified Guide

• House Extension design approach