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What to Look for When Buying Stock Bi-fold Doors

Stock bifold doors are a brilliant way to bring more light and life into your home without the long wait times. With their clean lines and generous glazing, they open up your space and help blur the boundary between inside and out. If you’re after something that looks great, works beautifully, and is available quickly, stock bifold doors are well worth a closer look.

The best part? You don’t have to compromise on quality. Choosing from a pre made range still gives you access to top-spec features, including thermally broken aluminium and low-e performance double glazing; two of the best materials for keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer. Add to that a quick delivery window, and you’ve got a brilliant combination of speed and spec.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through five key things to consider when buying stock bifold doors, from choosing a trusted manufacturer to understanding the benefits of aluminium frames. Whether you’re updating an existing opening or adding something new, there’s a lot to gain from going down the stock route. Let’s explore…

5 Things to Consider when Buying Stock Bifold Doors

1) Know Your Needs

When it comes to choosing stock bifold doors, it’s all about knowing what’s out there. Just because you’re going for a pre made option doesn’t mean you have to settle for less! There are still plenty of design and material choices available. Stock bifold doors come in various sizes and colours, so the trick is finding a manufacturer that ticks all the boxes for your space.

At Express Direct, our aluminium XP10 stock bifold doors come in four heights (including the popular 2090mm) and offer trickle vent options. You can choose between three to six panels and pick from three of our most popular colours. It’s quick, reliable, and hassle-free.

And don’t think that just because they’re pre made, they’re any less durable; these doors go through the same rigorous quality checks as those bespoke orders from our sister company, Express Bi-folding Doors. Since they’re in stock, you could have them delivered to your doorstep in as little as five working days. Perfect for DIY projects or builders who want to avoid long waits and inflated prices.

 

Leeds Manufacturing Facility

2) Pick Trusted Experts

As mentioned, choosing a reputable manufacturer is key to getting the best value and performance from your stock bifold doors. You want to feel completely confident in your choice. At Express Direct, we’ve been producing premium aluminium products at our state-of-the-art Leeds facility since 2007. We understand what goes into making high-quality aluminium bifold doors, and our stock bifold doors are no exception.

Equally important is proper installation. While you can fit these doors yourself by following our detailed instructions, we always recommend using a skilled tradesman. This ensures your doors perform at their best, preventing issues like misalignment or draughts. If you’re unfamiliar with the “toe and heel” method, which could lead to alignment problems, we encourage you to use our sister company, Express Bi-folding Doors, for a full survey and fitting service. For more guidance on installing your Express Direct bifold doors, check out our online installation guides.

3) Check Material Quality

When selecting bifold doors, it’s important to consider the material’s performance, cost-efficiency, and ongoing maintenance needs. With our extensive experience and industry knowledge, we’ve found that aluminium strikes the perfect balance of performance and cost-effectiveness. Aluminium offers an excellent weight-to-strength ratio, allowing for thinner frames that maximise window space. Plus, aluminium bifold doors provide superb structural stability, meaning they can handle everything from chilly winters to sunny summer days.

In comparison, traditional wooden frames are prone to rot and warping in extreme weather, requiring regular sanding, varnishing, and painting to maintain their condition. While uPVC may be affordable, it tends to deteriorate and discolour over time, requiring ongoing upkeep. By leveraging aluminium’s superior properties, our XP10 bifold doors are industry-leading in terms of durability, versatility, and minimal maintenance.

bifold doors

4) Think Energy Efficiency

With rising energy costs, it’s important to consider the energy efficiency of your bifold door. Our XP10 stock bifold doors are designed with energy savings in mind. They feature thermally broken aluminium, which reduces heat transfer between the inside and outside of the door. This is paired with double-glazed, toughened soft coat low E glass, helping to reflect heat back into your home and improving insulation.

Thanks to these design features, the XP10 helps maintain a steady temperature throughout the year, keeping warmth in during winter and staying cool in summer. You will see the results of this investment in your energy bills and the increased property value making them stand the test of time.

5) Go Eco-Friendly

As environmental concerns grow, many homeowners are seeking more sustainable choices. Our XP10 stock bifold doors are designed with eco-friendliness in mind. The combination of thermally broken aluminium and low E glass helps reduce energy consumption, while aluminium itself is 100% recyclable, making it a more sustainable material compared to others.

In comparison, uPVC is harder to recycle and has a larger environmental impact due to the energy-intensive processes involved. While timber has a smaller environmental footprint, it doesn’t offer the same long-term strength and performance as aluminium.

Why Choose XP10 Stock Bifold Doors from Express Direct

Pre made stock is a game-changer for builders and developers, helping projects stay on track without delays. Our industry-leading bifold doors perfectly balance performance and aesthetics. With plenty of customisation options, you won’t have to compromise on design, ensuring your bifold doors look just as you imagined. The XP10 model offers limitless potential to redefine your home’s internal spaces, such as open plan kitchens, and the interior-exterior connection of bifold patio doors.

Our pre made three, four, five, and six bifold door panels are available in four heights and three best-selling colours, offering you a range to find the best fit. The design and home security features of the XP10 surpass building regulations, including a five-point locking system and steel shoot-bolt rods, alongside high-security lock barrel cylinders that utilise premium 3-star diamond-rated BSI cylinders.

garden room

Key Features

  • Subtle, colour-coded panel catches.
  • Sleek in-line flat handles on intermediate panels.
  • 28mm toughened soft coat low E glass for improved energy efficiency.
  • Five-point locking with steel shoot-bolt rods for added security.
  • Bottom-hung design with stainless steel wheels and precision bearings for effortless sliding.
  • Slim 122mm sightlines for a modern appearance.

Visit the Showroom

When it comes to stock bifold doors, quality, energy efficiency, and long-lasting performance are key. By applying specific needs to pre made doors, choosing aluminium and working with well-regarded manufacturers and installers, you can buy a long-lasting door that keeps your pocket and the environment in mind.

At Express Direct, we’re committed to providing premium aluminium bifold doors that redefine standards. To make the selection process easier, we invite you to gather quotes, consult with our knowledgeable staff, and explore our showrooms. We take the time to understand your needs, so you’ll inevitably discover bifold doors that fit like a glove and transform your home.

Explore our range of products in our showrooms or online, including aluminium bifold doors, smart signature front doors and sliding doors.

showroom