Orangery solutions bolsters bifold opportunities

The entire 8m x 4m project was tailored exactly to meet the needs of the homeowner and to complement the appearance of the existing property.

The advantages of incorporating bifold doors into the orangery extension were numerous bringing more light to the completed project and the overall impression of more space which the owners required.

Unlike traditional options the bifold doors were the preferred choice for the prestigious private home in Lytham St Anns, Lancashire due to the dramatic effect they would add once the project was complete.

To avoid structural issues at a later date the Orangery Solutions team provided structural calculations to ensure that the orangery structure could cope with the additional load bearing requirements that would be needed to accommodate bifold doors throughout the entire extension.

Calculations for the orangery were carefully analysed and prepared by the company’s in-house structural surveyor at the planning stage alongside the architect and building company.

Paul Nellis, Managing Director at Orangery Solutions comments, ‘Installing bifold doors into an orangery project is simple and easy. However, when it comes to the overall stability of the doorframe, this can cause technical problems at a later stage if calculations have not been made accurately.

Not only can the doors come right off the tracks and out of the frame should warping occur but the weight of the frame can have a structural impact if calculations are not accurate.

“Whether on an internal or external wall, bi fold doors add a dynamic appearance to any orangery project.

Whilst panel configuration may be down to personal preference, the stability of the structure must be carefully configured in order to substantiate guarantees.”

Paul continues, “The style of bifold doors obviously provides a panoramic feel to any new installation which cannot be achieved in the same way, through traditional windows and doors.

Making that installation safe however, must come at the planning stage otherwise investors and installers will have to deal with the structural consequences which could prove a costly exercise for everyone concerned.”

Orangery Solutions provides a patented cassette system with integrated steel legs giving many structural advantages over alternatives as well as professional structural guarantees which are provided by the company on all projects. Paul Nellis concludes, “Some companies manufacture “improvised versions” of orangeries having not taken into account all the structural loads and calculations that will be required to keep the structure safe and to stop cracks from appearing after the ‘settling period’.”

For more information on the patented cassette system from Orangery Solutions please visit the website www.orangery-solutions.com or call 01904 786629.