Vufold vs Express Bi-Folding Doors: external bifold doors
Author: David Ross - Sales Manager
Bifolding doors are a fantastic addition to your home. They create a sense of space in even the smallest property and bring an abundance of natural light to your living areas. Whether you are looking for aluminium, timber or composite bifold doors, there will be critical considerations to be taken into account before you make your final decision.
Two popular bifold door suppliers are Vufold and Express Bi-Folding Doors. This guide showcases the main differences and similarities between the two brands to help you choose a quality product from a company that meets your needs.
In this guide:
An ‘at-a-glance' table comparing Vufold and Express Bi-Folding Doors
A quick list of the main similarities between both brands
A deep-dive into the major difference between Vufold and Express Bi-Folding Doors
Vufold vs Express Bi-Folding Doors: a summary
| Feature |
Vufold External Bifold Doors |
Express External Bifold Doors |
| Available materials |
Aluminium, timber, composite |
Aluminium |
| Price range (standard sizes) |
£1399 - £5,999 |
Custom made so no price available. Bespoke doors usually attract a significant premium |
| Size range |
1.8m – 6m |
1.8m – 7.5.m |
| Sightlines less than 125mm? |
Yes |
Yes – but only on premium ranges |
| Glazing |
Double or triple glazed |
Double or triple glazed |
| Thermal efficiency* |
U value as low as 1.0 W/m2k |
U value as low as 1.0W/m2k |
| Door operation |
- Top-hung (timber)
- Bottom-rolling (aluminium)
|
Bottom-rolling |
| Security |
- Cylinderless multi-point locking system featuring: 3-point lock designed to meet the requirements of PAS24, BS 6375
- 3x internal lockable bottom slide bolts
- 3x internal top slide bolt
- Laminated glazing
|
- Multilocking system to PAS24 and BS6375.
- Additional bolts can be included on request
|
| Colours/finishes available |
Timber:
- Oak (finished or unfinished)
- Anthracite grey
- Traffic white
Aluminium:
- Anthracite grey
- Hipca white
- Jet black
- Grey outside/white inside
Composite:
- Grey outside/oak inside
- White outside/oak inside
Bespoke service:
|
A range of RAL colours to choose from |
| Are blinds available |
Yes – perfect fit or integral |
Yes – integral |
| Guarantee/Warranty |
10 – 15 years |
10 years |
| Ready-to-assemble? |
Yes – any competent DIYer could install a Vufold bifold |
Not recommended |
| Delivery |
As little as 3 days |
Several weeks |
| Bespoke options available |
Yes |
Yes |
* low U-value means high thermal efficiency
**other colours are available at a premium
What are the main similarities between Vufold and Express Bi-Folding Doors external bifolds?
Vufold and Express have several commonalities that are good indicators of a quality product that will be perfect for your home.
- Available in a range of colours
- Available in a range of sizes including made to measure options
- Security locks tested to PAS24
- Double or triple glazing available
What are the main differences between Vufold and Express external bifold doors?
Transparency and value
One of the most significant differences between Vufold and Express are the choices they offer you. Vufold offer both convenience and transparent pricing in a range of ready-to-assemble products, as well as the flexibility of bespoke design.
Express only offer a custom made product - the practicalities of this policy can mean customers are saddled with long lead times and surprisingly high costs.
Having a good range of ready-to-assemble products alongside the freedom of commissioning a bespoke design means that Vufold offers you the option to choose the product that meets your needs in terms of style, price, and delivery.
Guarantee
While Express Bi-Folding Doors offer a reasonable 10-year guarantee, Vufold goes the extra mile and have the confidence to provide an impressive 15-year warranty on their Status and Supreme ranges. This extended guarantee provides peace of mind and assurance of quality.
Delivery time
Vufold offers a choice of bespoke or standard size bifold doors, meaning there is a choice of door no matter your requirements. The benefit being that delivery times can be as short as three days with the Vufold aluminium bifold doors, timber bifold doors and oak bifold doors ranges.
Due to the bespoke nature of Express bifolding doors, lead times can take a matter of weeks.
Installation
Vufold bifold doors are considered ready-to-assemble door sets. This means the doors can be easily assembled on-site and in a reasonable amount of time.
The main benefits of a ready-to-assemble door are:
- Easy-to-follow instructions included
- All hardware and drill bits included
- Only basic tools need to be sourced
- No specialist required if you are a competent DIYer
- No hidden costs
- Perfect operation
In comparison, Express Bi-Folding Doors state that their doors are not easy to install and “would never recommend a DIY installation”. This means a professional tradesperson will need to be hired, which will increase costs.
Security
Vufold and Express Bi-Folding Doors take security seriously, with both companies offering exceptionally high-security features such as multi-point locking systems and triple glazing.
Vufold ensures that criminals cannot bump or snap the cylinders of your bifold handle (a common technique) by supplying a cylinderless multi-point locking system on composite and wooden bifolds. Additional security extras such as integral locks and laminated glazing mean you can have bifold doors that offer some of the best security features available.
Author:
David Ross - Sales Manager
About David Ross
David has over 20 years’ experience in the glazing industry across a variety of roles. He joined Vufold in 2012 and his mission is – ‘to make buying windows and doors as easy and stress free as possible’. He is committed to constant improvement and was instrumental in creating our innovative direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform to help grow and expand the business.
Read more about David Ross
