HARDWARE & SECURITY
Hardware for folding doors
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FERGUS PICKARD , PRODUCT Development Director at P C Henderson , discusses how folding doors can help meet growing consumer demand for additional space and natural light , while providing a robust and flexible solution that will last for years .
As of December 2016 , the average house price in the UK was £ 219,544 , representing a 7.2 % increase on the previous year . As rising prices show no signs of abating , homeowners are finding it ’ s cheaper to improve their home rather than move , as they seek more space to accommodate changing family dynamics . One of the most effective ways households are achieving this is by extending their properties or adding new structures . In fact , data from Sainsbury ’ s Home Insurance shows that extensions to the rear and side of the home are the most popular enhancement , followed by conservatories , loft extensions , garage conversions and the construction of outbuildings .
Folding doors can help homeowners create flexible living spaces that add value , improve design and increase the floor area in a home . However , the products used must be adaptable in order to satisfy specific user preferences . For example , to create private areas for children to play in or open areas for entertaining and socialising . The hardware used must also be low maintenance , easy to install and appropriate for both new build and refurbishment projects . It ’ s important that installers involved in the design and fitting of folding doors work with experienced manufacturers that understand what households want and need from their spaces , and are able to provide the product options necessary to fulfil these demands .
Extensions , conservatories , orangeries etc . were once only used in the warmer months but today ’ s consumers seek to use their extended living areas all year round . This demand has led to the development of exterior folding door hardware products that bring a variety of advantages to a home including increased natural light , an indoor /
outdoor living space in the warmer months and extreme weather resistance in the colder months . This is backed by research from Direct Line who found that installing large bi-folding doors in place of brick walls to add more light to a property was a popular household modification .
P C Henderson ’ s Securefold range is the definitive choice when specifying hardware for exterior folding doors . Available to suit a variety of weight capabilities , finishes and locking options , it is a high performing system that meets all the practical and aesthetic preferences of the homeowner , including security and natural light transmittance .
On the other hand , many outbuildings , conservatories and orangeries lack the adequate structural support to carry the weight of folding doors . In these instances , hardware that can carry the load of the doors at the bottom of the system and eliminate the need for major structural building support is ideal . To satisfy this particular customer and end user demand , P C Henderson ’ s Securefold Bottom Rolling has been specifically designed for these projects to allow installers to cater for a wider variety of buildings .
When considering the hardware for internal projects , top hung systems are considered the best as they leave a clear floor area , which promotes mobility around the home . They can help create a seamless flow around rooms and add flexibility to an open plan design . For instance , where the kitchen and dining areas share the same space , room dividers can be installed to break up the layout . This provides a much more practical living environment that takes into account the changing needs of occupants , such as to add privacy .
P C Henderson ’ s Roomflex hardware is an example of a flexible internal folding door system that makes the most out of the space available in the home . Homeowners with this product installed can split larger openplan areas to create smaller , multi-use layouts that offer privacy and functionality . A benefit of such a system is that when closed , it can help reduce the heating of an otherwise large room as only the zone in use requires heating .
Whether inside or out , installers must also consider customer design preferences regarding door movement by offering solutions including end-fold and centrefold configurations . The best hardware products are extensively tested to provide a smooth and trouble-free operation . They should be made with quality components that complement specific applications such as the type of door material and weight , as well as provide weathering and security capabilities for external applications .
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