Opening the door to style and substance
A 2023 study from Houzz found that more and more homeowners are looking to renovate their homes for the long term, with three-in-five renovators in 2022 planning to stay in the same house for over ten years. Here, Kerry Blackford, Senior Category Manager at ERA, discusses the window and door style trends that are defining today’s homes and the hardware solutions to suit.
With the cost-of-living crisis still impacting UK homeowners, it comes as no surprise that when considering home renovation projects, people are looking to make the most out of their investments, seeking longevity and long-term value for money, in order to avoid taking on further costs, later down the line.
With this, changes to doors and windows have enduring benefits, affording homeowners the chance to improve their home’s appearance, security and thermal efficiency. The right design choices can completely transform a property from the inside out, but it’s important that the latest design trends are matched by high-performance security and hardware solutions that ensure functionality.
Aluminium Bifold Doors
Bifold doors have been popular for well over a decade, thanks to their ability to integrate a home’s interior and exterior spaces. Given that they are built to stack away seamlessly, they are the choice for homeowners who want to bring the outside, in, with the greatest of ease.
This feeling of openness makes them a standout option for openings extending out into gardens, particularly from kitchen extensions and open-plan family rooms, thanks to the clear sightlines and ample natural light they offer.
Aluminium substrates continue to dominate the bifold market, thanks to their slim sightlines; unrivalled strength and ability to support large glazing panels; and minimal maintenance requirements.
Carefully selecting hardware for any door is integral to ensure effortless operation and maximum security. Not least with bifold doors which require a range of specialist hinges, handles and locks to complete their complex system.
For example, the hinges on bifold doors should not only be strong but they should allow each door to open and close independently and connect the doors together. Low quality hinges can result in bifold doors that fail to open in a single and smooth fashion. Equally, choosing the correct lock and handle will ensure security and allow the doors to function properly.
ERA, the UK’s leading fenestration specialists provides a range of bespoke options that are suitable for bifolds, including locks, handles and hinges, allowing fabricators the opportunity to offer customers a great deal of choice.
Inline Sliding Patio Doors
While bifolds, of course, offer a world of advantages, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of the inline sliding patio door over the past five years, for a wide variety of reasons.
Sliding doors are not only great for those who want to install doors in an area with limited space for doors to fold, such as a balcony or terrace, they can also offer a good alternative for the homeowner who may find a full run of bifolds difficult to operate.
In addition, sliding doors means fewer panels and less visible frame than bifolds, they give the benefit of more open glazing which is perfect for customers’ who want a clearer view of their garden with less obstructions. With fewer panels needed to cover wide openings, this can often make sliding doors more affordable than bifolds too.
Those homeowners who are looking to prioritise sustainability and thermal efficiency may find that sliding doors are the right choice for them too, given that they tend to offer better efficiencies, such as more natural light, and for those with thermally broken frames and Low-E glass options, improved insultation and less heat transfer.
In addition, the glass can trap cool air inside during summer to keep the home comfortable.
For handles that complement inline sliding patio doors, ERA’s Fab&Fix range is ideal. Matched with a vast range of Fab&Fix door and window hardware, the handles can be selected in a finish that complements the entire home.
The Pembroke D shaped handle is available in standard and extended lever options. For non-locking applications, dummy handles, blanking plates and non-locking sliding door handles are also available.
In addition, ERA provides secure locks and keeps for a wide range of sliding doors, such as the ERA Patio Door Locking System which offers a six-point multi-lock solution with PAS 24 certification, complete with 240 hours Corrosion Resistance to the BN EN 1670:2007 standard, and endurance testing in excess of 100,000 cycles.
PVCu Flush Systems
Designed to replicate the aesthetical design timber windows, PVCu flush systems have become increasingly popular in recent years, offering homeowners a more premium, timeless aesthetic with modern performance benefits.
Offering a slimmer and more streamlined appearance, the flush external finish makes for a high-end look, whilst being cost-effective and easier to maintain in comparison to traditional timber windows. The timber effect can be enhanced with coloured and woodgrain-effect foils.
ERA’s recently launched Fab&Fix Monkey Tail and Teardrop key locking window handles which were designed specifically to suit flush windows, resulting in that premium, sophisticated aesthetic associated with timber windows. Available in Hardex Chrome, Hardex Gold, Hardex Graphite, Hardex Pewter and Antique Black, within its Perfectly Matching home range, these handles were created to match a vast selection of hardware in the Fab&Fix Heritage collection.
Both come with matching operating and dummy stay bars to complete the look and have been tested at ERA’s Test House to meet the requirements of BS EN 1670 Grade 5 for Corrosion Resistance. This standard sees that hardware is tested for weather resistance for 480 hours, enduring 25,000 cycles.
Of course, this is a plus point for customers choosing long-lasting PVCu flush casement windows, given that they can rest assured that their accompanying window furniture will also stand the test of time.
While homeowners choose windows and doors to suit their personal taste and align with the latest property trends, enlisting excellent security solutions that allow for easy operation must also be an important consideration, with guidance from their fabricator or manufacturer.
Luckily, ERA offers a versatile choice of hardware solutions, including locks, handles and hinges, developed over the last 185 years to complement window and door trends, whilst ensuring customers have the best in secure solutions for ultimate peace of mind.
