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As winter approaches, keeping your home warm and energy efficient becomes a top priority. But did you know your bifold doors play a significant role in achieving this?
Bifold doors are designed to be highly energy efficient, helping to keep the warmth inside which, in turn, reduces the strain on your heating systems and lowers your energy bills. If you’re interested in learning more, you can find additional details in our comprehensive article.
Regular maintenance is key to extending the life of your bifold doors as it can prevent minor issues from turning into costly repairs. The good news is that winterproofing your bifold doors doesn’t have too be complicated to time-consuming. In fact, these external patio doors do most of the heavy lifting themselves! With just a few straightforward steps, you can easily support their performance during the colder months.
Here are some tips to help you prepare your bifold doors for the winter.
When preparing your bifolding doors for winter, we recommend inspecting them for any gaps around the seals. Although unlikely, these can develop over time as the seals wear down, allowing cool air to enter your home.
To spot these gaps, close the doors and carefully run your hand along the edges where the doors meet the frame. If you feel a draft – that’s a clear sign there’s a gap. You can also use a piece of paper. If you can slide this through when the doors are closed, the seal isn’t tight enough.
Even small gaps can lead to heat loss, causing your heating system to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. By identifying and addressing this early, you can maintain a strong barrier against the winter chill.
Take a close look at the hinges, tracks and seals of your bifold doors for any signs of wear and tear – winter weather can exacerbate any existing issues you might not be immediately aware of.
Examine the hinges to ensure they’re secure and free of rust. If your doors are difficult to open or close, or if they make unusual noises, the tracks might be dirty or misaligned. The seals should be intact and flexible – if you notice any cracks or hard spots, it’s time to consider replacing them.
Clean tracks are essential for the smooth operation of your external bifold doors. Dirt can accumulate in the tracks over time, causing friction that makes it difficult to open and close the doors. This build up can also lead to wear and tear on your door’s mechanisms, however, by keeping these clean you can ensure it glides seamlessly.
To clean your tracks without causing damage, we recommend using a vacuum with a narrow attachment to gently scrub the tracks, paying special attention to the corners where grime tends to accumulate. For stubborn dirt, a mild detergent mixed with warm water can be used to wipe down the tracks – just avoid using abrasive cleaners or sharp tools that could scratch or damage the surface. Once cleaned, remember to dry the tracks with a soft cloth to prevent moisture from causing rust or corrosion.
Over time, your hinges and tracks can become stiff due to dirt, dust and exposure to the elements, making your bifolding doors harder to open and close. Proper lubrication ensures that these parts move freely.
When lubricating these, start by wiping them down with a dry cloth to remove any existing dirt. Then, lighting sprays the lubricant onto the moving parts. Be careful not to over-apply as excess lubricant can lead to build up which might attract more dirt or cause the parts to become sticky. For the tracks, you can also use a small brush or cloth to evenly distribute the lubricant and reach into tight spaces.
It’s important to test the doors to ensure they operate well.
To enhance the insulation of your bifold doors during the winter months, a quick and easy solution is a draft excluder. These can seal any gaps around your doors, preventing cold air from sneaking in and warm air from escaping. Draft excluders come in various forms, such as adhesive strips or decorative door snakes that can be placed along the bottom of your door.
By adding these, you can create an additional barrier against the cold, reducing the workload on your heating system and helping to lower your energy bills. It’s a quick and affordable way to boost your home’s insulation without making any major changes.
For a more significant improvement in insulation, consider upgrading your bifold doors to triple glazing. While double glazed bifold doors are already effective in reducing heat loss, triple glazing takes this one step further. It can improve thermal efficiency, plus provide better soundproofing and security.
Although arguably a more substantial investment compared to other insulation methods, the long-term savings on energy bills and the added comfort make it an incredibly worthwhile consideration. Upgrading to triple glazed bifold doors ensures that you’re well prepared to handle the winter chill, keeping your home warm and cosy all season long.
Get ahead of the winter chill and ensure your bifold doors are ready to keep your home warm and energy efficient. If you need any more advice or help upgrading your doors, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our experts are always on hand to provide a quick quote or guide you through the process to ensure your home stays comfortable.
