Opening Up your Structure : Folding Sliding Systems

Doors - are much more than just entry and exit points. They provide a glimpse into the lifestyle of the people behind them. Be it an entrance to a home, office, shop or restaurant, it should be inviting and a reflection of the general air of the building. Entrance systems should blend themselves well with the architecture without loosing its prime focus on – Protection and Privacy. Depending on the variable needs of the above two, doors could be ornamental, encrusted or transparent/translucent.

These days many options for space-saving yet functional entrance systems, walls and windows are pouring in the market. These range from glass folding doors, sliding glass doors, folding sliding doors, folding windows and an exhaustive range of wall systems. As against conventional door openings, folding systems allow opening up to 95% of the total width.

Glass doors are not only aesthetic and elegant to look, they also increase light and space, flexibly trying to integrate beauty with purpose. Glass doors or walls or windows provide exciting solutions without harming the character of the building. A set of folding sliding doors can remarkably blend spaces together, remove barriers between the outside and literally bring the outside in conforming to the natural environment around it. Folding sliding doors are also referred to as sliding folding doors, bi-fold, accordion door, folding windows and concertina door.

Aluminum and timber (wood) folding systems or a combination of both are equally viable options as is glass.

Apart from enhancing beauty, folding systems also emphasize on energy efficiency, protection against natural calamities like hurricane, burglaries and acting as an acoustic barrier.

On the energy efficiency quotient, the aluminum and wood folding doors and walls systems top the list while in acoustics nothing is better than glass. A brief update on each of these features is as below:

Energy efficiency:

The main factors that are considered in energy efficiency of a folding system are:
1. The U- factor- The rate at which heat leaves a building. The lesser the better.
2. The R- factor- This gives a measure of insulation that a wall/ door/ window is providing. Contrary to U factor, the value for R-factor should be higher for better insulation.
3. SHGC- Solar heat gain co-efficient This indicates how well a product blocks heat from the sun. The lower the number the better. A low SHGC means the window transmits less solar heat.
4. VT- Visible transmittance refers to visible light being transmitted. The higher the VT, the more light is transmitted.
5. Air leakage- Heat loss and gain occur by infiltration of air through the cracks in the window assembly. The lower the AL the better.
6. Condensation resistance- This measures the ability of a system to resist the formation of condensation on the interior surface of that product

Safety against Hurricane:

Superior glass folding systems like those of NanaWall Systems provide excellent protection against natural calamities like hurricane. Passing through intense tests like the Miami Dade County Test Protocols PA201, PA202, PA203, NanaWall folding systems are approved for use in hurricane sensitive localities.
Apart from hurricane, these system offer weather tightness and are much more capable of withstanding adverse weather.

Safety against Burglaries:

Glass systems include wire meshes within multi layers of glazed glass that offers security from hit from balls, axe or even bullets. Depending on the level of security required, one has an option to go for a suitable toughened glass. Laminated glass is the best option.

Acoustic barrier:

The acoustical performance of glass folding walls and doors is magnificent as it blocks out almost 75% of noise. Laminated glass with ingrained insulation is the best solution for those seeking acoustical separation from the outside world.

Why settle for less when one can have more with a folding door. So open up your space and let your abode breath in air!