Aluminium Glass Folding Doors – Open Your Home to the World
Aluminium glass folding doors - also known as bifold doors - represent one of the most dramatic and desirable architectural features available to contemporary residential and commercial design. When fully open, the entire door assembly concertinas together and stacks neatly to one or both ends of the opening, transforming what was a wall into an open-plan connection between interior and exterior spaces. The effect is transformative: a living room flows naturally onto a garden terrace, a restaurant opens to a courtyard, a hotel suite connects to a private balcony - without interruption, without threshold drama, and without any visible barrier between the two spaces. SKATE's aluminium doors are engineered to deliver this experience reliably, beautifully, and for decades of daily operation.
Engineering for Large-Scale Folding Systems
Aluminium glass folding doors present a unique set of engineering challenges. Multiple door panels - typically between two and seven - must fold against each other smoothly while maintaining consistent weather sealing across the full system width. The top-hung or bottom-rolling track system must support the total glass weight of all panels simultaneously, distribute lateral forces from wind loading evenly, and resist the racking forces generated as panels fold and unfold repeatedly.
SKATE's aluminium glass folding door system (85W series) addresses these challenges through:
• 6063-T5 aluminium profile sashes with PA66 GF25 polyamide thermal break strips throughout
• Top-hung and bottom guide configurations, distributing panel weight through the head track rather than the sill
• Adjustable multi-wheel trolley rollers running on precision-extruded aluminium track sections with stainless-steel inserts
• Seamless welded corners on every panel sash - no mechanical corner joints that loosen over time
• Continuous EPDM gaskets at all panel-to-panel and panel-to-frame interfaces, maintaining consistent weathertightness at every stage of opening
Technical Specifications
| Profile Material |
6063-T5 Aluminium Alloy |
| Profile Folding Type |
Multi-Panel Inward / Outward |
| Thermal Break |
PA66 GF25 Polyamide Strip |
| Glass Options | Tempered DGU / TGU · Low-E |
| Glazing Thickness | 45 mm (5+15A+5+15A+5) - Triple Track |
| Air Leakage | ≤ 0.2 cfm/ft² | Class 3 |
| Water Tightness |
E750 Pa |
| Wind Load |
≥ 2000 Pa | Class C3 |
| Sound Insulation (Rw) |
Rw 36 – 42 dB |
| Panel Count | 2 to 7 panels per system |
| Opening Direction | Left-stack / Right-stack / Centre-stack (split) |
| Available Materials |
Aluminium |
| Certifications |
CE, NFRC, AS 2047 |
Panel Configuration Options
SKATE aluminium glass folding doors can be configured in multiple opening arrangements to suit the architectural requirement:
All panels folding to one end (e.g., all left): Creates a full-width opening on the side opposite the stack. The pivoting panel at the lead end acts as a standard hinged door for everyday access without opening the full system.
Split configuration (centre-open)
Panels fold to both ends simultaneously, opening from the centre of the system. Provides the most dramatic full-width opening and is the preferred configuration for very wide openings.
Traffic door integrated
One panel of the folding system can be configured as a standard hinged door for daily use, allowing easy access without operating the entire folding system.
Glass Size and Visual Impact
The large glass panels of aluminium glass folding doors create an uninterrupted visual connection between indoors and outdoors. Individual panel widths typically range from 700 mm to 1,200 mm, with heights from 2,100 mm to 3,000 mm. Tempered glass is mandatory for door panels at these dimensions - standard annealed glass does not have the impact resistance required for door applications. SKATE uses toughened safety glass as standard, with laminated tempered options available for enhanced security and acoustic performance.
Low-E argon-filled glazing configurations are available to maintain energy efficiency across the large glazed area of an aluminium glass folding door system - critical for preventing excessive heat loss in winter or solar heat gain in summer through what is effectively a large glazed wall.
Threshold Options
The sill threshold of an aluminium glass folding door system is a critical detail that affects both performance and usability. SKATE offers:
Standard thermally-broken threshold
A low-profile aluminium sill with integrated drainage, providing E750 Pa water tightness. Suitable for most residential applications.
Raised weather bar
An additional weather bar across the sill opening, increasing water tightness at the cost of a small trip hazard.
Flush threshold
Recessed track delivering flush indoor-outdoor floor transitions. Needs precise sill drainage, lower waterproof rating, widely used in high-end interior designs.
Surface Finishes
Aluminium glass folding doors are the definitive specification for: residential living rooms and dining rooms opening onto gardens and pool terraces; extension and orangery projects; high-end apartment balcony openings; hospitality venues, restaurants, bars, and event spaces; commercial showrooms; and any architectural project where the wall between inside and outside should disappear entirely when desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many panels can a single aluminium glass folding door system have?
A: SKATE's standard range accommodates 2 to 7 panels. Very wide openings with more panels are possible with structural assessment of the head track deflection.
Q: Can aluminium glass folding doors be used on upper floors with a balcony?
A: Yes - the door system itself is suitable. Balcony safety regulations may require a guardrail system at the threshold when the system is open. Please check local building regulations.
Q: How do folding doors perform in strong winds when closed?
A: When all panels are closed and locked, the multi-point locking system holds all panels in compression against the frame and each other. The system is rated to Class C3 wind resistance - suitable for most residential exposure categories.
Q: How wide can a single aluminium glass folding door system be?
A: Systems up to 7,000 mm wide are standard production. Wider systems are engineered individually with reinforced head track specifications.
Why Choose SKATE
SKATE's 29 years of aluminium door manufacturing experience, direct factory production, and CE, NFRC, AS 2047 certification make us a trusted partner for aluminium glass folding door projects of any scale. Our 160,000 m² production facility delivers consistent quality, and our active supply to over 30 countries confirms our global manufacturing capability.
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