The transformative power of bi-folding doors

Flexibility is the buzzword of our time, confronting us in all aspects and challenging both us and our spaces on a daily basis. Today’s living and working environments are defined by fluid and adaptable layouts rather than rigid structures – from the urban multifunctional home to the variable open-plan office that operates as agilely as our work philosophy.

To cope with constant change, people yearn for a soothing connection with nature to bolster their health and resilience. Simply put, the closer green spaces and the horizon are to us, the better we feel, whether that be through large window fronts, balcony glazing or seamless indoor-outdoor transitions. In order to effortlessly meet all of these demands under one roof, it takes a touch of magic. For Solarlux, that magic lies in highly sophisticated engineering.

As a pioneering manufacturer of bi-folding doors, the company from Melle can look back on over 40 years of successful ‘Made in Germany’ product engineering. The original vision of the two founders, Herbert Holtgreife and the late Heinz Theo Ebbert, has to this day lost none of its magic, centred on the large-scale opening of rooms using folding glass elements.

Whether in new buildings or renovations, in multi-storey residential buildings in large cities or single-family homes in the countryside, in restaurants, healthcare facilities or schools, bi-folding doors combine the elegant partitioning of a screen with the airy transparency of glass. This makes them the ideal choice when rooms and facades need to open and close quickly and flexibly.

Whereas traditional sliding windows and doors typically retain a visible glass surface when opened – unless they recess into a wall cavity – the panels of a bi-folding door fold neatly to the sides, creating a wide-open space. Even when shut, they allow ample daylight to filter through and offer unrestricted views of the outdoors thanks to their slender profiles.

More than four decades since its inception, the product range of the German technology leader in bi-folding doors has expanded significantly. It now encompasses not only glass extensions, complete balcony and facade solutions, and the large-format sliding window, cero, but also the bi-folding door family itself. This family has been equipped with new maximum dimensions and numerous patented technological features, enhancing both its versatility and performance.

While the folding elements of the popular systems Ecoline and Highline are made of aluminum, Woodline is made of wood, and Combiline is made of wood and aluminum – with sizes of up to 3.5 metres in height and 1.10 metres in width that provide expansive views – the new glass folding wall Megaline takes it a step further. With the motto ‘push the limits,’ this system allows for foldable glass elements of up to 4.50 metres in height and 1.50 meters in width, all without compromising on ease of movement and use.

As spaces can now be fully opened across two floors, planners are presented with entirely new design approaches. In addition, Solarlux folding systems with triple-plane insulated glazing achieve Uw values within passive house standards, making them not only aesthetically timeless and of enduring quality, but also energy-efficient.

Even the most stubborn, unwelcome guests are kept at bay with the Ecoline and Highline solutions. This is because the two systems, both recipients of multiple design awards, are the world’s first bi-folding doors that can be optionally equipped with the high resistance class RC3 and therefore offer the highest level of burglary protection.

The latest addition to the product family are the Flexa bi-folding doors, which have recently been providing opportunities for individual expansion in interior spaces, allowing them to be divided or expanded as desired.

As a unique selling point, the product family’s modular and adaptable system offers six different floor rail varieties, granting unparalleled creative freedom. Furthermore, the manufacturer excels in crafting bespoke, project-specific solutions that meet the specific requirements of builders and planners, showcasing another area of expertise.

The Amsterdam city villa by Studio RIANKNOP serves as a prime example. Featuring the colour RAL 6021 Pale Green, which runs softly throughout the entire house, the staircase is accentuated from the outside with a glass facade that ensures maximum daylight in the living areas. Another connecting element between the interior and exterior is the nearly 5-metre-long and 3-metre high bi-folding door, which allows for a seamless transition between the living room and garden. Besides all the technical advantages and services offered by Solarlux, the architectural studio particularly valued the delicate profile design, which remains slender even with large dimensions and heavy weight, without obstructing the view – and in pale green, of course.

Once again, Solarlux demonstrates its aesthetic and functional expertise by providing adaptable building envelopes that meet our individual and seasonal needs, hence creating transformative spaces that adapt to dynamic, changing lifestyles.

© Architonic

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