Sliding and bifold windows
Sliding and bifold windows: What’s the difference?
If you’re looking to build a new home, chances are you’ve thought long and hard about your daily routine, needs and dream requirements. You might daydream about getting up in the morning to pop the jug on, walking across your warm, carpeted floor to your nice, clean marble worktops. But then, here’s the real question — when you open your windows and greet the day, how will those windows open?
Before you dismiss this thought as irrelevant, consider that this is how you’ll continue to open your windows the entire time you own your home — unless you spend more money to put holes in your walls and replace them later. So, what are the options for windows that work on sliders?
Sliding windows
Sliding windows are often used above the kitchen bench. They work by having one pane of glass fixed to the frame while the other slides on a roller placed on the inside or outside of the frame.
Theoretically, there’s no end to the number of windows that can slide open. Generally, sliding windows work best in an area where you want a long window instead of a tall one. However, there’s no reason you can’t have both, as all options that work for windows also work well for doors.
What works well
Sliding windows are easy to operate and allow quick ventilation of your house.
What to look out for
Because sliding windows can’t easily be removed from their rollers, they are hard to clean and may collect water in the sill. You should also inspect how far your window can open; some are designed to open halfway as a precautionary measure.
You might also want to consider Koffman’s tilt and slide option, where you can either tilt the window for safe ventilation or slide it for the nice open room feel.
Bifold windows
Bifold windows are a great way to maximise your open window space while still keeping your windows on a roller.
What works well
The open space a bi-fold window gives means they’re perfect for those who like letting a lot of air in during the day. Because of their width, they also make terrific doorways, allowing you to move groups and furniture easily inside or outside the house.
What to look out for
Bifold windows usually open outwards, meaning they’re partly exposed to the elements and strong winds. This can lead to more tension on the opening mechanism than in normal sliding windows.
Considering the longevity of performance expected, we offer this option in aluminium frames only due to the extra weight imposed by this design.
How our windows work
At Koffman, we offer tilt and slide windows in uPVC or aluminium, as well as bifold options for doors and other fittings in insulated aluminium. We also provide a style of window called ‘tilt and turn’, which in essence is two windows in one. With a tilt and turn window, you can open your window inwards from the side to get the most out of your natural ventilation. Then, by turning the handle up, you can do the same from the top, allowing a small portion of air to escape. This second option is great at night when minimal ventilation is desired without leaving the window wide open.
Along with our standard window options, we include several additions that we are able to fit, answering recurring problems throughout the year. Not only can we automate micro ventilation for you, but we can;
- Extend your window sill
- Create a flanged frame for sitting against your concrete wall
- Install roller shutters for effective light blocking
- Insect screens for use during summer
- Solar-powered glass for electricity generation
So, whether you think you prefer a bifold or a sliding window, we can offer the best, most thermally insulated and noise-resistant European-style windows. We design for ease of use, warmth and comfort and to provide better home or office-based solutions that improve your enjoyment of a room.
If you’d like to know more about a particular model or to see our windows in action, you can always book a visit to our showroom on Bower Ave, Christchurch. Alternatively, you can contact us by email or phone for a free quote or chat.
Sites sourced:
- “Bifold Windows” on Fairview. Date Accessed: 8th July, 2022. Site Link: https://bit.ly/3ypw06V.
- “What are Sliding Windows?” on Champion. Date Accessed: 8th July, 2022. Site Link: https://bit.ly/3ypw06V.
