Commercial Glazing & Bifold Door Guides
Specification guides for architects, main contractors and developers working with curtain walling, structural glazing, façades, fire rated glazing, solar shading, louvres and commercial doors, and plain-English guides for homeowners choosing aluminium bifold and sliding doors.
For architects, contractors and developers
Specification guides for commercial glazing: curtain walling, structural glazing, unitised and rainscreen façades, fire rated glazing, brise soleil and louvres, and commercial doors.
What Is Structural Glazing? How SG Curtain Walling Works
A plain-English explanation of structural glazing: how glass is bonded to a curtain wall frame with structural silicone, how SG compares with capped curtain walling, the 2-sided, 4-sided and toggle options, and the standards behind it.
What Is a Unitised Façade? Unitised vs Stick Curtain Walling
A plain-English explanation of unitised façades: how factory-built curtain wall units are made, lifted and interlocked, how they compare with stick systems, and when the extra design and fabrication effort pays off.
Aluminium Louvres: Types and Uses on Commercial Buildings
Weather louvres, solar shading louvres and plant screens do very different jobs. This guide explains each type, what free area and rain defence classes mean, fixed and motorised options, and how to specify aluminium louvres.
Types of Commercial Aluminium Doors, Sizes and How to Specify Them
Commercial doors have to cope with heavy use while meeting access, escape, fire and security requirements. This guide covers the main door types, the hardware and standards that matter, and how to write a specification contractors can price.
What Is Rainscreen Cladding? Systems, Types, Details and Fire Rules
A plain-English guide to rainscreen cladding: how the ventilated cavity keeps a wall dry, open-jointed and closed-joint systems, aluminium and steel panels, insulation, membranes and subframes, the key details, the fire rules, and what to send for a price.
Schüco vs Cortizo: Specifying the Right System for Commercial Projects
Schüco and Cortizo are both specified on commercial and residential-led projects across the UK. This comparison covers system range, thermal performance and documentation, and when to specify each.
What Is Brise Soleil? How It Works, Types and Uses on Commercial Buildings
Overheating is now a primary design driver on commercial buildings. Well-designed brise soleil and solar shading cut solar gain, reduce cooling loads and can contribute to BREEAM ratings.
Aluminium Façades & Cladding: A Developer and Main Contractor Guide
Façade packages are often one of the largest subcontracts on a commercial project. Getting system selection, fire compliance and procurement right early is critical to cost and programme certainty.
What Is Fire Rated Glazing? E, EW and EI Classes Explained
Fire-rated glazing is a critical life-safety element on commercial buildings. This guide explains E, EW and EI classifications, the test standards behind them and what the Building Safety Act means for specification.
What Is Curtain Walling? Types, Systems and How to Specify It
Curtain walling is the defining element of most commercial façades. This guide covers system types, U-values, fire and blast performance, testing, and how to write a watertight specification.
For homeowners
Plain-English guides to aluminium bifold and sliding doors: costs, regulations, sizing and choosing a system.
Schüco vs Cortizo: Which Is Best for Your Home?
Schüco and Cortizo are two of the best aluminium systems you can put in a home. We compare them on sightlines, price and everyday feel for bifold and sliding doors, without the jargon.
Aluminium vs uPVC Bifold Doors: Which Is Better?
Aluminium and uPVC are the two main materials for bifold doors. We compare them honestly on strength, frames, lifespan, efficiency and cost to help you decide which is right for your project.
Do Bifold Doors Add Value to Your Home?
Bifold doors are one of the most desirable features a UK home can have. We look at what they really do for a property, why percentage claims do not hold up, and how to protect the value they add.
Bifold Doors and Building Regulations: What UK Homeowners Need to Know
External bifold doors have to comply with UK Building Regulations whether you are replacing old doors or creating a new opening. Here is what the rules cover, in plain English.
Best Aluminium Bifold Doors for a Home Extension
Bifold doors are the natural finishing touch for a rear extension. This guide walks through the choices that matter — size, glazing, threshold, colour and system — so you specify the right doors first time.
Bifold Doors vs Sliding Doors: Which Is Right for Your Home?
The two most popular ways to open up the back of a home. We compare aluminium bifold doors and sliding doors on looks, opening width, glass area, cost and security, so you can choose with confidence.
Bifold Door Sizes and Configurations: How Many Panels Do You Need?
The number of panels you choose changes how your bifold doors open, how much you see, and what they cost. Here are bifold door sizes for 2 to 7 panels, how each configuration folds, and how big a panel each system allows.