Hybrid Bifolding Doors

Hybrid bifolding doors comprise two different materials and just like hybrid windows and other doors, offer an individual appearance, enhanced thermal performance and excellent acoustic properties.  Therefore these combined materials provide the best of both worlds, such as coloured aluminium outside and wood on the inside.

Information about Hybrid Bifolding Doors for the home.

The profiles on hybrid bifolding doors comprise a different material inside and out.  Other names are used for hybrid doors for instance:

  • Composite Bifolding Doors
  • Timber-Clad or Timber-Clad aluminium.
  • Timber-Aluminium Doors
  • Aluminium-Timber composite doors

For hybrid bifolding doors the external profile is either aluminium capping clipped onto the main wood profile. Another method with some systems is a separate aluminium extrusion, more substantial than the clip-in capping.

Other pages In this section

Hybrid Windows and Doors

Internally, bifolding doors come in a big range of woods with every supplier offering their own colours, stains and timber types too.  Hardwoods and softwoods such as Spruce, Oak, engineered timber, redwood and meranti are just some of the types of woods available. Therefore, hybrid doors allow an infinite choice of colours outside and wood stains or colours on the outside.

Furthermore, a substantial number of systems are European in origin, from Scandinavian countries and central Europe.  Specifically, the UK market has British systems from Comar Architectural with their Alu-Timber range.  Additionally, Doncaster-based Senior Architectural Systems have their UK-sourced Senior Hybrid range.

With most aluminium, PVCu and timber products, it is common to find a whole variety of windows and doors. Not every hybrid system offers a complete range of products.  For example, they offer sliding doors but no bifolding doors.  As a result, windows and sliding doors come from one supplier, bifolding doors from another.

All quality systems on the market offer engineered timber guaranteed not to twist or warp. Furthermore, a well-designed product has no exposed wood on the frame edges, reducing water ingress as a result.

Finally, these quality-made bifolding doors have excellent components, premium door furniture and look beautiful in the home.

Why buy hybrid bifolding doors?

Just like all hybrid products for the home, the benefits of hybrid bifolding doors and other windows offer several advantages over and above single materials.

  • A sustainable product with excellent recyclability, creating homes for the future.
  • Hybrid products provide some of the best thermal performance of any window and door.
  • Both the external aluminium and internal timber are environmentally friendly with zero landfill waste.
  • Hybrid bifolding doors, like windows, offer outstanding acoustics and very low U-Values.

Systems and Brands of Hybrid Bifolding Doors.

hybrid windows
Hybrid windows and bifolding doors by Velfac.

There are many different hybrid systems on the market in a variety of materials. However, finding bifolding doors is altogether more challenging. We list some of the best known providers in the UK.  Bifolding doors come either directly from the manufacturer and supplier, or alternatively, through their network of approved dealers.

Centor 100 and 200 Series.

The Centor Integrated range is one of the standout hybrid bifold doors. Specifically, Centor bifolding doors offer integrated and built-in insect screens. Few people mention the insects entering the property in the summer months with the doors open. As a result, Centor doors with insect screens not only keep the bugs out, they also maintain the open aspect and consistent airflow. Another benefit of the screens is blocking out light and creating shade, for instance darkening the room for watching TV or making the room cooler.

The interior woods of the Centor Integrated bifolding door range come either as painted, stained or without any surface treatment. On the outside, you get durable powder coated aluminium.  The craftsmanship of the wood finish, as well as the overall construction of Centor doors, makes them one of the finest hybrid bifolds on the market. The doors come as the 100 Series with a solid oak interior. The 200 series has integrated screens and shades.

SUNFLEX UK.

German-made SUNFLEX bifolding doors come in two versions. The SF55c and the SF75c are two premium bifolding doors, virtually identical to their highly sought-after aluminium SF55 and SF75 bifolding doors. 

With excellent 115mm sightlines, these are not only some of the thinnest bifolding doors on the market generally, but they are also the slimmest hybrid folding doors you can buy too. The SF55 and SF75 by SUNFLEX are also unique in their construction and design.  Where hybrid doors are a timber door with aluminium cladding outside, these are premium aluminium doors with the timber cladding inside.

Nordica.

Nordica bifolding doors offer a big range of woods from Scandinavian slow-grown Redwood. Engineered timber uses several profiles, laminated together for strength and reliability. Nordica offers an aluminium clad model of its timber bifolding door.

Internally, the doors come painted or stained, double or triple glazed and with premium secuirty locks and hardware.

Solarlux.

The Combiline wood-aluminium bifolding doors from Solarlux are ultra-premium bifolding doors with impressive attention to detail. Every Solarlux door has excellent security, thermal performance and technical specifications.  Solarlux doors use FSC and PEFC-certified wood with quality powder coated aluminium on the outside. Internally the wood finishes come with exceptional attention to detail and ‘furniture standards’.

143mm sight lines, alarm sensors in the glass, meticulously engineered hardware and one of the best brands in the world. As a result, Solarlux is the luxury hybrid bifolding door for the home.  The SL67 offers wood sections inside with ventilated aluminium on the outside.  The Solarlux SL97 provides even higher levels of thermal insulation with a core sitting between the outer aluminium and inside wood. Triple glazing is standard.

Warmcore.

Many in the trade consider the Warmcore bifolding door as a hybrid product, due to its substantial PVCu inner core but with aluminium inside and out.  Warmcore comes from Synseal, a very well-known PVCu systems company in the UK.

Providing expert help to homeowners and trade professionals since 2010

expert

Free

Impartial

Get Free help finding the right products from the best suppliers

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
13:18 02 Apr 23
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!
Giorgia SiriacoGiorgia Siriaco
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
17:18 10 Dec 22
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
20:25 14 Aug 22
Really helpful and useful came back to me on a Sunday with some invaluable information. Highly recommended.
ray addisonray addison
13:14 14 Aug 22
received a prompt reply to my query,and helpful information from ATS
js_loader