Our Alufold Warmcore Bifolding Door Review

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Nick Dardalis

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The bifolding door market now consists of many quality and highly engineered bifolding door systems. Not only is the design of current bifolds great, but components, reliability and the overall product makeup are excellent. There isn’t a bad bifolding door on the market.

How bifolding doors are supplied to end users or the trade has also changed. Notably, suppliers have improved lead times and colour choices; service levels are better than ever, and there are plenty of good brands and systems to choose from.

The Alufold Warmcore bifolding door from Aluhaus of Nottingham.

alufold bifolding door
Aluhaus manufacture a substantially improved Warmcore system to create bespoke, premium aluminium doors and windows.

Another change in recent years is the experienced aluminium manufacturer that has taken a bifolding door from an existing system and has rebranded or re-engineered it to make it better than the original version.

Dekko windows have Reynaers under the Raum brand, Vuelite by Aspect Windows of Exeter is also Reynaers. The Evolution bifold is available for fabricators to market under their own name, and Duration has versions of the AluK and Smarts systems. Expert fabricators see a niche, invest and capitalise on it.

Aluhaus of Nottingham has done just that with their Alufold bifolding door. Based upon the Warmcore system, Alufold bifolding offer enhancements and service levels that are impressive. The Alufold bifolding door is supported with a residential hinged door, called Aludoor and by the Aluframe Warmcore aluminium window.

Why change and re-engineer an aluminium system?

No bifolding door is perfect. Often systems companies design a product and with the best will in the world cannot come up with something to please and meet the requirement of every fabricator, salesperson, fitter and end user. Even the bifolding door systems perceived as ‘the best’ through reputation or sales have their shortcomings.

This is not to say Synseal got Warmcore wrong.  Far from it given the vast number of very well known fabricators and installers that sell Warmcore today.  Warmcore is not as slim as a Schuco door with 121mm meeting stiles, the Comar folding door with 120mm or the new Visofold 5000 with 108.5mm.

What Aluhaus has done is to be admired. It takes time, commitment and enormous investment to re-engineer an aluminium system. The advantage of bringing out a new bifolding door in an already successful growing market is that you have had plenty of time to see what the industry and the customer want from a bifolding door.

Talking to your customers provides invaluable feedback on what they know sells a door and what features make it easier to fit and what improvements systems companies often miss out for often unexplained reasons.

You can also learn what elements appeal and help sell a bifolding door outside of just good security and accreditations. Then you set about creating a product that takes the best the bifolding door industry has to offer in design, hardware and production methods.

Alufold Warmcore Doors have features many leading brands do not.

Our research into the Alufold Warmcore bifolding door reveals a product with several key innovations by Aluhaus that few other doors possess. Aluhaus has taken the best in current bifolding door technology, improved it and added it to the Warmcore system. Alufold has several cosmetic, performance and design enhancements to make it even better.

Aluhaus say on their marketing materials that the Alufold door is probably the best on the market. Having examined how Alufold came about and what the current product provides, they could well be right.

welded aluminium corners
The fusion GRAF welding giving a near seamless appearance is just one of many clever features found in an Alufold.

You can find out more information about the many individual features of an Alufold door just some of which include:

  • A new method of fabricating bifolding doors that move away from mechanical joining.
  • A bifolding door with a mitred outer frame where others use square cuts.
  • Alufold doors finally give the homeowner weather rated low threshold.
  • Colour matched Q-Lon seals exclusive to the product.

Alufold is marketed as the best bifolding door. Is it the best?

In reviewing the Alufold Warmcore bifolding door, one thing that is apparent is the thought that has gone into the product as well as a clear vision of who the target customer is. The trade counter cut-price bifold is not sold to appeal to the more quality-conscious buyer. The cheaper supply only bifold is there to fill an aperture for a builder.

When we first reviewed the Warmcore bifold we said it offered a different sales proposition because of how it looked, its thermal performance and its construction. It shifted away from the polyamide systems giving an end user an alternative aluminium door to consider and installers an entirely different non-polyamide system to sell.

We think Alufold has many new features in a bifold that make it a very credible and different bifolding door for installers to consider adding to their range.  Alufold also places a new product in the eye of the clever consumer that likes to research their bifolding doors and dig deep into what door is right for them.  It is clear the Alufold door is on the market as a credible and different proposition for an installer and a homeoner to consider.

 

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Andrew DOBSONAndrew DOBSON
16:42 30 Oct 23
Nick responded incredibly quickly to my enquiry (on a Saturday too!), and was able to offer invaluable advice on both aluminum systems and manufacturer / suppliers. Thanks Nick!
chris steerchris steer
16:18 09 Oct 23
Had a meeting with Nick during the grand designs show. Was extremely helpful and professional would highly recommend
Chris WesthorpChris Westhorp
19:55 13 Sep 23
Extremely helpful with pointing us in the right direction to find the products we required and suggesting firms that could reliably fit them.Nick was quick to reply and very detailed in his advice.Highly recommend reaching out to them.
Cathy GreenwoodCathy Greenwood
07:03 11 Sep 23
Update - A second email to nick for help on bifolds resulted in a detailed informative reply even on a Sunday ! This guy is so knowledgable and helpful .I approached Nick for an independent view on sliding doors v bifold and the different brand options . His reply was extremely detailed and prompt and allowed me to navigate this often confusing world in a much more informed way . Thanks so much Nick
Anthony CraigAnthony Craig
12:45 05 Sep 23
This is a must site for anyone looking for advice. Great service and very quick answers to questions. Nick has been of great help quiding us through the maze of aluminium products. Thank you
Philip DuffieldPhilip Duffield
20:24 26 Jul 23
I contacted Nick @ ATS for guidance on what aluminium sliding door systems would be suitable for an opening in an extension that is going to be both wide and tall. He came back really quickly with very detailed and incredibly helpful advice. He is clearly extremely knowledgeable about the systems on the market and their respective features and capabilities. If you’re feeling a bit lost by the overwhelming range of choices out there, I’d definitely recommend contacting him.
Dariush HekmatDariush Hekmat
17:25 19 Jul 23
Nick's advice is great. He is always quick to respond and spends time on responses, which really help to make an informed decision.
Alan FosterAlan Foster
07:51 12 Jul 23
Absolutely fantastic. Asked for advice about replacing Crittall (?) windows late last night and early this morning received 3 great suggestions and contact information for suppliers
Rachel LauRachel Lau
09:24 16 Jun 23
Fantastic website full of valuable and pragmatic advice about product selection and comparison: no other website gives information like this. Truly written for public interest. Don't hesistate to reach out to Nick via the mailing system. He responds very quickly, is friendly, and has very sound and high knowledgable advice. I have already shared this with my friend planning her own grand design.
guard Charlieguard Charlie
12:28 14 May 23
I emailed this company just on the off chance they could help me with new magnetic sliders for my patio door. They were not able to supply those but were so very helpful providing me with the name of a company who could. I am so very grateful at the great service. Dare say customers must be very happy. thank you so much.
Benjamin LewisBenjamin Lewis
10:06 04 May 23
Nick is very helpful indeed. Extremely knowledgeable on bifolds which was in relation to my query. Great website as well, some very useful articles. Particularly appreciated the article that lists all the major bifold options in order of their sightlines! Thank you!
P JonesP Jones
08:07 15 Apr 23
I asked Nick some questions about an installation we were considering and he replied within hours with some very useful suggestions that will probably lead us to using a different make and supplier. Thanks, Nick. Great work.
Nicholas WallNicholas Wall
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Looking for fair and honest expert advice on all aspect of aluminium windows and doors? These guys will arm you with all the information you need to make the RIGHT choice in a highly complex, crowded marketplace. post a question and you will get a very quick professional answer you can rely on being based on fact. Thanks guys!
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16:25 21 Mar 23
After a lot of research to find doors that would meet our unusual size requirements and feeling increasingly uncertain about the best way to spend our small budget, I stumbled on the ATS website, and I'm so glad I did! I contacted ATS to request advice and Nick promptly replied with a wealth of information, providing us with options and relevant contact details. I only wish I'd found them sooner!
Carol NortonCarol Norton
10:01 17 Mar 23
I've been so confused about how to achieve the look I'm after, and going round in circles with various window/door companies, trying to get away from the huge chunks of plastic currently around my windows. I didn't expect an email to a company found through a Google search to really help - but I was desperate, so I tried. I'm SO glad I did. Finally I have clear explanations from ATS of where I've been going wrong, exactly what I'm looking for, and a list of local companies that might be able to provide it! The response has excelled my expectations and I feel as if I'm finally inching closer to a home with which I'll be happy and comfortable: thank you.
David NunnDavid Nunn
20:54 14 Mar 23
It is rare that I write reviews, however after my very positive communication with Nick - enquiring about suitable slim sash aluminium windows for my project, I felt that a review was definitely warranted. I can reinforce the many positive reviews posted so far, Nick was very quick to respond, providing comprehensive detail, with excellent independent advice.In summary, great service, thank you Nick.
Chantal AuerbachChantal Auerbach
13:04 09 Mar 23
Nick from Aluminium Trade Supply was incredibly helpful informative and pleasant to deal with. He responded quickly to emails and was very knowledgeable. Highly recommend being in touch with Nick if you are considering new aluminium windows or doors.
Lee JonesLee Jones
20:21 22 Feb 23
I dropped Nick at Aluminium Trade Supply an email re high security slim sightline bi-folds and their alternatives and he responded that quickly (and so comprehensively) that I felt bad I’d not paid him for his time!Nick Sir your product knowledge is outstanding and you are providing a level of service that goes wayyyy above and beyond expectations. I’ll definitely make sure I mention Aluminium Trade Supply to anyone I encounter looking for a fenestration solution 🙏🏼
G JG J
15:13 13 Feb 23
We are looking to replace some old UPVC patios doors with aluminium ones. The ATS website is a great source of advice in an area where clear information is sorely lacking. Having used the website, I then followed this up with a number of specific questions relating to our search, and Nick came back very quickly with clear, detailed and very useful advice.I have been very impressed with both the website and with Nick's advice. My only regret is that I didn't come across ATS before replacing various windows in 2021 - I'm sure it would have saved me a lot of grief and money! Thanks again Nick.
Azza McCabeAzza McCabe
17:47 01 Feb 23
So impressed with this company.Responded to my query quickly andgave valuable advice. Nick was extremely helpful and we were able to move forward with our project.
Adri LoloçiAdri Loloçi
11:21 08 Jan 23
Nick was super fast to respond and provided some great recommendations. I would recommend this website to anyone looking to find bifold or sliding aluminium doors.
Stephen HoustonStephen Houston
16:16 03 Jan 23
Looking for aluminium crittall style internal door and external patio French doors. Noted good reviews and thought would ask for advice. Comprehensive reply with excellent independent advice and lists of fitters who could provide products and installation. Great service.
Inga GeachInga Geach
08:25 21 Dec 22
Nick from Aluminium Trade Supply has been extremely helpful with navigating the jungle that is aluminium glazing for our upcoming extension project. His advice was prompt, detailed and always impartial. Very grateful for your input, thanks Nick!
Amanda BurtonAmanda Burton
10:54 16 Dec 22
Brilliant website and an excellent service. Nick provided not only detailed advice and supplier contacts, but highlighted the considerations of various products so I could make an informed choice. Our Sunvista minimal sliders were fitted this week and I couldn't be happier, stunning. Thanks once again for your advice and recommendations, invaluable!
Keith BarnesKeith Barnes
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Very helpful advice given to my question, including the name of 3 different companies that i could try for the product being enquired about. Many thanks
Munim ChowdhuryMunim Chowdhury
11:45 13 Sep 22
Nick has been very helpful on signposting me to a number of partner organisations for steel/aluminium doors.
SUSAN wallaceSUSAN wallace
17:26 31 Aug 22
My experience with this firm was exceptionally good and this is notalways the case as a female, dipping a toe into technical waters.I was spoken too with courtesy and at a level that helped me consolidate what was needed .On top of that I was given a list of companies and places where I could obtain the type of product I needed.I could not thank them enough and would certainly go there again and reccommend others do too.
Paul SalterPaul Salter
22:39 22 Aug 22
Contacting Aluminium Trade Supply is like contacting the Oracle direct. Advice is always comprehensive and balanced. On multiple occasions they have provided me with options that fully meet our objectives. Many thanks.
Nick McCormackNick McCormack
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Really helpful and useful came back to me on a Sunday with some invaluable information. Highly recommended.
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