CONSIDERATIONS FOR SOFTWOOD/PINE BIFOLD DOORS
Careful consideration needs to be made when looking to purchase pine bifold doors, including:
TREATMENT
Softwoods such as pine require careful treatment with strong preservatives in order to prevent rot. This may impact the price and maintenance levels. This is particularly important for external bifold doors which face frequent moisture and temperature changes.
Hardwoods such as oak do not require the same level of treatment.
SHRINKING AND SWELLING
Softwood is prone to shrinking and swelling due to moisture absorption. The tolerances on standard bifolds are not that high so this movement can cause warping and cracks. This level of damage can stop your bifold door from operating at an optimum level.
Shrinking and swelling in bifold doors may cause:
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Warping/cracks
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The door to stop closing properly
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An increase in gaps, which will let draught in
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Moisture to sit inside the door and cause mould
This means that pine bifold doors are not suited for external doors, due to the lack of long term stability and likelihood of damage.
INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL
Location is an important factor for all types of bifold doors. External doors require different qualities than internal bifold doors.
Internal doors do not require the same level of insulation, therefore double glazing is not required. If you purchase internal bifold doors with double glazing, you will be paying too much money for little benefit.
External doors require high -levels of insulation in order to combat the cold and heat from outside. This means your glass should be at least double-glazed and your frame should be made from thermally efficient materials.
As mentioned above, softwood / pine doors are prone to warping and swelling due to moisture and UV damage. This level of warping can cause a range of issues including poor door operation and draughts. This means that hardwood bifold doors are a preferred option for external doors.
COST
As previously mentioned, pine is a cheaper wood material than oak. However, there are several drawbacks to using the material. Timber bifold doors are an investment and should provide many years of operation and protection.
Bifold size
|
Cost (pine)
|
1.8 Metres
|
£1350
|
2.4 Metres
|
£1550
|
3.0 Metres
|
£2300
|
3.6 Metres
|
£2550
|
FINISHES
Pine, like all wood materials, can be stained, varnished or painted in almost any colour you would like. You can often buy unfinished pine bifold doors in order to finish the door yourself. However, pine requires a lot of treatment in order to protect against moisture entering the timber. Moisture can cause excessive movement which affects door operation.
Your best chance at avoiding mould is by purchasing a factory- finished door.