Last Updated on 15 November 2024 by Tia Ellahi
Bifold doors are generally more secure compared to traditional french or sliding doors and make break-ins more challenging.
When it comes to your home, ensuring safety is undoubtedly a top priority. However, some homeowners might hesitate to install external bifold doors due to concerns about security.
Contrary to misconceptions, bifold doors are not less secure than conventional patio doors or French doors. In fact, with the right measures and precautions, bifold doors can be one of the most secure options for the rear of your home.
Safety and peace of mind are paramount, and by taking appropriate security measures, you can confidently embrace the beauty and functionality that bifold doors offer. Let’s explore how these doors can provide both aesthetics and enhanced security, making them an excellent choice for your home.
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Are bifold doors secure?
Bi-fold doors have gained tremendous popularity as conservatory doors or connecting elements between kitchens/living rooms and gardens. Their aesthetic appeal, ability to bring abundant light and warmth into any room, and energy-efficient, space-saving attributes contribute to their growing demand.
However, you might wrongly assume that bifold doors are attractive targets for thieves. Contrary to this misconception, the doors themselves are generally more secure compared to traditional French doors or sliding doors, making break-ins more challenging.
Most bifold doors are equipped with a multi-point locking system and a concealed, inline tracking system, making it nearly impossible for intruders to lift the doors out of their mechanism. The doors’ attachment to the concealed gear within the bottom track makes removing them a daunting task, especially since the steel lock pins are often made from specially hardened steel.
To ensure additional protection, it is crucial for all panels to have internally beaded frames, overlapping with the glass panel. Opting for double-glazed glass not only enhances security but also improves your home’s thermal efficiency.
In conclusion, bifold doors are intentionally designed to be secure, providing homeowners with peace of mind regarding their safety. With the right features and precautions, these doors offer both aesthetics and enhanced security, making them a sought-after choice for modern living spaces.
What security features do bifold doors have?
Ensuring the security of bifold doors is of utmost importance, while also considering ease of access for you and your family. To achieve enhanced security, investing in a good lock for bifold doors is crucial. While this may entail an additional expense, the peace of mind and increased protection they provide make it a worthwhile investment for your safety.
Multi-point locking system
The most secure bi-folding door locks are the multi-point systems, as described above. These systems alone, however, require an actual lock to keep the doors secure. There are several types of locks available to suit your needs:
- Shoot bolt Lock: A shoot bolt lock features a handle at the centre of your bifold doors, operating from both the top and bottom of the door. It provides a secure closure with just one movement and comes in various finishes, styles, and configurations.
- Deadbolts: Deadbolts offer high levels of security and are often included in multi-point systems. They can be operated using a key or an internal, twisting locking mechanism.
However, it is crucial to avoid common practices like hiding keys in easily accessible places like underneath plant pots in the garden, as thieves are likely to check these spots first. Opt for secure storage options to keep your keys safe and maintain the highest level of home security.
In conclusion, choosing the right locks for your bifold doors is essential for security and peace of mind. By investing in quality locks, you can enjoy the benefits of aesthetic appeal and enhanced protection that bifold doors offer.
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Glazing options
When selecting glazing for your modern bifold doors, you have the option to choose between double and triple glazing, as single glazing is no longer considered suitable for modern door designs. Both double and triple glazing offer significant benefits, so it’s important to consider your specific needs and budget.
Double glazing is the more commonly chosen and budget-friendly option. It brings enhanced safety, insulation, and noise reduction to your home. The space between the two panes in a double-glazed door acts as an extra insulating layer, reducing heat transfer between the inside and outside of your home. This helps to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature and minimizes the need for excessive heating or cooling, leading to lower energy bills and increased energy efficiency.
When deciding on the thickness of the glass and the space between the panes, it’s crucial to consider your home’s unique requirements. Generally, a minimum space of 12mm is recommended for optimal thermal performance and noise reduction. This spacing, combined with the thickness of the glass, contributes to the overall energy efficiency and acoustic control of the bifold doors.
Triple glazing, on the other hand, offers an even higher level of thermal efficiency. It features an additional pane of glass, creating two insulating air gaps instead of one, further reducing heat transfer and enhancing sound insulation. This advanced glazing system is especially popular in countries with colder climates, where the benefits of improved heat retention are more noticeable. However, it is worth noting that triple glazing comes with a higher initial cost compared to double glazing.
Ultimately, the choice between double and triple glazing depends on your preferences, climate considerations, and budget constraints. Double glazing already provides substantial improvements in energy efficiency and comfort, making it a great choice for most homes. However, if you prioritize the highest level of thermal insulation and are willing to invest more upfront, triple glazing offers superior performance.
Difficult to break into
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By choosing a bifold door that has at least a few of the security features explained in this article, this will make it more difficult for intruders to get through. Selecting the right bifold door lock is essential in securing your bifold door, as mentioned below.
Choosing the right bifold door lock
By investing in good quality door locks for your bifold door, you are increasing the level of security they offer.
We’d recommend speaking to the retailer directly for guidance on which type of lock to go for.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when selecting the glazing for your modern bifold doors, carefully weigh the benefits of double and triple glazing, and consider what aligns best with your home’s specific requirements and your long-term goals for comfort and energy efficiency.
If you’d like some advice on which security features to choose, speak to our friendly GFD Homes team by calling 01642 309576. Alternatively you can live chat us via the GFD Homes website.
FAQs about Bifold Door Security
Is it easy to break into bifold doors?
Breaking into bifold doors is generally not easy. Bifold doors, especially those equipped with proper security features, are designed to offer a high level of protection against intruders.
What are common problems with bifold doors?
Bifold doors offer many benefits, but like any architectural feature, they can encounter some common problems. Here are some typical issues that may arise with bifold doors:
Misalignment: Bifold doors can sometimes become misaligned, causing difficulty in opening and closing smoothly. This can occur due to changes in temperature, settling of the building, or improper installation.
Sticking or Jamming: Bifold doors may stick or jam, making them challenging to operate. This problem can be caused by dirt, debris, or foreign objects obstructing the track or rollers.
Noisy Operation: If the bifold doors produce squeaking or grinding noises when opening or closing, it could be due to insufficient lubrication of the track or rollers.
Hardware Issues: Hardware components like hinges, handles, and locks can become loose, damaged, or worn out, affecting the overall performance and security of the doors.
Are bifold doors more secure than sliding doors?
Ultimately, the security of both bifold and sliding doors depends on the quality of the materials, the locking system, and the installation. Both types of doors can offer excellent security when equipped with appropriate security features and when homeowners follow recommended security practices, such as using high-quality locks and maintaining the doors regularly.
If security is a top priority, consider investing in high-quality bifold or sliding doors with multi-point locking systems and toughened safety glass to ensure the highest level of protection for your home.
If you enjoyed this article, here are some others we think might be useful..
- Sliding doors vs bifold: which door should you choose?
- Bifold doors: how much are they?
- 10 Reasons why you need Smart Visofold Bifold doors.
- What are the different types of patio doors?
- What is the alternative to bifold doors?
