I-D-Systems Aluminium timber folding sliding doors. Sunflex, bi fold and concertina doors

Frequently Asked Questions

At I-D-Systems, we want you to be able to make a decision based on all the facts, and have endeavoured to put a list together of the most frequently asked questions. Should however, you have any further queries or require additional information, then please do not hesitate to contact us directly.

1. What is a u-Value?

2. What is document L and how does it affect me?

3. How do I calculate the overall u-Value of my door system.

4. Where do you stand in the market?

1. How do your systems compare on price, quality and reliability?

2. I have noticed other companies naming their systems the same as yours – is it the same system?

3. What are the standard sizes?

4. What are the restrictions on maximum width and height of the panels?

5. What is the maximum number of panels I can have?

6. How much does it cost?

7. Can I have a single access door or French door opening?

8. Can I have key locking to the inside only, but handles internally and externally?

9. Why is there a limited choice on handles?

10. Have your systems achieved a severe weather rating certificate?

11. Does your system enable a level floor finish for disabled access?

12. Do you offer solid timber doors rather than laminated?

13. I notice that the Sunflex 70 is only bottom-running, but my builder recommended a top-running system

14. How secure are your doors?

1. What are the standard sizes?

2. What are the restrictions on maximum width and height of the panels?

1. How do I obtain a quote?

1. Can you colour match any existing doors and windows?

2. What warranty do you offer on your door systems?

3. Can you make windows and fixed frames to match your door systems?

4. Do you offer supply only, and are the products easy to install yourself?

5. Do you offer an insurance backed guarantee?

6. Do you do site surveys?

7. What do you mean in your quotation, by fitting to a ‘prepared opening by others’?

8. Do you have a showroom or any viewable locations?

9. What methods of payment do you accept?

1. What is a u-Value?

A u-Value is a calculation of the amount of heat lost through a building material. The value is calculated as heat (kW) lost per hour per square metre. The value is calculated as heat lost per hour per square metre (W/m2K); a low U-Value therefore indicates a more thermally efficient building material. Document L of the building regulations was revised in April 2002 and controls the required u-Value of your home – in general terms, an average u-Value of 2.0W/m2K or 2.2W/m2K is required.

2. What is document L and how does it affect me?

Document L is part of the Government’s Building Regulations that were revised in April 2002 & 2006, following the Regulatory Impact Assessment. All new housing and replacement windows must comply with Document L unless specifically excluded (for example, listed buildings are subject to some exclusions). If you are planning any new building or renovation work it is always advisable to contact your local planning office for advice on how the building regulations affect you and your project. Although I-D-Systems can give general help and assistance based on past experience, we are not an authority on the building regulations and are unable to give professional advice.

3. How do I calculate the overall u-Value of my door system.

I-D-Systems can calculate the overall u-Value using a special calculation system if required. However, by using the tables provided in Document L, you can work out an approximate u-Value, which is sufficient for planning approval and easily available.

4. Where do you stand in the market?

We do try to be modest regarding our position in the market. However, with our continued efforts in improving our technical literature and customer service, we now receive more than 50% of our work from recommendation and believe this speaks for itself. There is nothing more rewarding in this industry than having your services recommended to a friend: it is a sign of consumer confidence in your abilities. Unfortunately, this does create a degree of jealousy from our close competitors and we do hear numerous reports of their attempts to discredit us. Unlike our competitors, we credit our customers with more intelligence than this and encourage them to make further investigations – visit our previous customers and so on – to make up their own minds.

1. How do your systems compare on price, quality and reliability?

Sunflex folding sliding doors are designed and manufactured in Germany to the highest of standards and have been supplied to many countries throughout the world for in excess of 15 years. Recognised as setting the benchmark in both design and technology, the standards of our product testing far exceed those required by the British Regulations, i.e. weather rating, insulation, safety and security. We are a technically led company that has built up its reputation over the years through the recommendation of our existing clients and by providing the best quality systems on the market at competitive prices. The advantages of our systems are detailed throughout this website for you to browse at your leisure; if you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

2. I have noticed other companies naming their systems the same as yours – is it the same system?

I-D-Systems is the largest supplier and installer of the Sunflex system in the UK, although there are other companies selling the system throughout the UK. The Sunflex system has a very good reputation and, therefore, other manufacturers do try to imitate it – a practice common through many industries. Your quotation should specifically state Sunflex SF – if it does not state Sunflex, it is probably not a Sunflex system. (Other companies using systems NOT manufactured by Sunflex do use the SF prefix. Whilst we are aware of this, it is not within our control.)

3. What are the standard sizes?

All our systems are custom-manufactured to your specified dimensions; there are no real ‘standard sizes’.

4. What are the restrictions on maximum width and height of the panels?

The maximum width of each panel is 1100mm and the maximum height is 2800mm, however, we do not manufacture to both extremes in one panel. The taller the panel, the narrower the width, please contact our Technical Department for advice. With regard to the maximum dimensions for aperture – there is no maximum; provided whatever is above the aperture is supported, we can open the complete aperture.

5. What is the maximum number of panels I can have?

There is no limit to the number of panels you can have, but we generally recommend a maximum of 25 meters (12 panels in any one direction). You must ensure that whatever is above the aperture is not load bearing on the door system at all.

6. How much does it cost?

As each system is custom-manufactured, it is always difficult to provide an accurate estimation unless a quotation is prepared. However, for approximate budgeting purposes, a cost of £1,200.00 - £1,400.00 per panel, supplied and fitted exclusive of VAT can be assumed based on average door height of 2100mm and panels of around 1000mm wide.

7. Can I have a single access door or French door opening?

To achieve a single access door you would require an odd number of panels to stack in one direction i.e. 3, 5 or 7, etc or to split the stacking to both sides in order to achieve an odd number configuration to at least on side, i.e. 2:1, 5:1, 5:3 etc. To achieve a French door opening, you would require an odd number configuration to both sides, i.e. 1:3, 3:3, 7:3, etc.

8. Can I have key locking to the inside only, but handles internally and externally?

Yes. There are basically four options.
1) Non-key lockable handle to the inside only.
2) Key locking and handle to the inside only.
3) Key locking to the inside only but handles internally and externally.
4) Key locking and handles internally and externally.

9. Why is there a limited choice on handles?

When the door panels are fully opened, each panel stacks flat against the adjacent panel, so a flush handle with a narrow profile is required.

10. Have your systems achieved a severe weather rating certificate?

All our folding sliding doors systems have been rigorously tested and provide a severe weather rating when used with the weathered track option. (Tested at the Institute of Window Technology Rosenheim: achieving DIN18055, Category C performance for wind loading and water leakage). You should only trust certified systems that have been laboratory tested.

11. Does your system enable a level floor finish for disabled access?

The flush track option is recessed into the floor providing an uninterrupted floor finish. The bottom seal between the door and the flush track is via double, twin nylon brush piles separated by a fin seal, giving an effective seal. It is recommended that some form of drainage and a slope away from the doors are integrated – such as a sunken drain with a grill above – to avoid pooling of water. Please be aware that the flush track reduces the weather rating.

12. Do you offer solid timber doors rather than laminated?

Our timber folding sliding doors are manufactured from triple-laminated solid timber sections. These sections have been stabilised at stress points and bonded back together with opposing grains, creating added strength whilst preventing warping and twisting. Whilst the profile of our timber door system is solid timber from front to back, the lamination process makes it far more stable.

13. I notice that the Sunflex 70 is only bottom-running, but my builder recommended a top-running system

The advantage with a bottom-running system is that, unlike a top-running system, the doors will not snag if there is any structural movement above. A bottom-running system places the weight at the base, enabling the guide at the head to have a degree of tolerance. With the wheels of the running mechanism sitting high on the track, the risk of the operating system failing due to dirt or debris on the track is minimised. Even though our other systems can offer either top- or bottom-running, we would still recommend a bottom-running system due to these benefits.

14. How secure are your doors?

The locking offered as standard provides a very high level of security as well as a quick, smooth and easy operation. It consists of a three-point top and bottom shoot bolt mechanism, which is incorporated into the framework within each intermediate panel. Where there are an odd number of panels, a five-lever profile cylinder is fitted to the end lead door, or to the first opening pair, in an even number of panels. It can be fitted to either the inside only or both internally and externally, meeting the requirements of the Association of British Insurers. For improved security, all Sunflex folding sliding door systems are internally glazed as standard with interlocking gaskets.

1. What are the standard sizes?

The system is custom-manufactured to suit your required opening dimensions.

2. What are the restrictions on maximum width and height of the panels?

Maximum sizes really depend upon the type of system selected. Please see individual products for further information or contact our Technical Department for advice.

1. How do I obtain a quote?

Due to the number of style variations, it would be more beneficial if either plans or a sketch with approximate dimensions were faxed or mailed to us. This way we are able to offer advice on design and prepare a quotation.

1. Can you colour match any existing doors and windows?

Whether you currently have aluminium or timber we offer an extensive range of colour finishes, including dual colour.

2. What warranty do you offer on your door systems?

With the quality of our products, combined with a high standard from our installation team, we are able to provide a full five-year warranty on our systems and workmanship, ensuring complete peace of mind. Plus, unlike some warranties, I-D Systems’ guarantee is fully transferable. If you decide to sell your home, the new owner benefits from the remainder of the guarantee period.
(Please note that supply-only doors carry a full one-year’s manufacturing warranty.)

3. Can you make windows and fixed frames to match your door systems?

Whatever type of door system you choose, we can also manufacture single doors, French doors, tilt-and-turn windows, fixed glazed screens or even gable ends using matching profile sections to achieve an aesthetically uniform appearance throughout.

4. Do you offer supply only, and are the products easy to install yourself?

Yes we do; the systems are very fitter-friendly and we can supply full installation instructions. Please be aware that we do not offer a full guarantee on this basis, as we have no control over the quality of final installation.

5. Do you offer an insurance backed guarantee?

Our systems are all fully guaranteed by I-D-Systems. If you wish to obtain an additional Insurance Backed Guarantee, please let us know and we can arrange this for you at a nominal cost.

6. Do you do site surveys?

Yes we can carry out a site survey if required or, as in most instances, work to agreed sizes.

7. What do you mean in your quotation, by fitting to a ‘prepared opening by others’?

We do not undertake any structural building work or removal of existing doors or windows and, therefore, the opening would need to be fully prepared by a builder prior to our installation engineers arriving to fit the doors. For quotation purposes it is assumed that the installation location is a ground floor level, unless otherwise specified.

8. Do you have a showroom or any viewable locations?

Yes, we have a showroom at our head office in Norwich. We also attend a great number of National Exhibitions throughout the year, where it is possible to view our product range. Alternatively we could recommend a number of installations that it is possible for you to view. Please contact our Sales Team for assistance.

9. What methods of payment do you accept?

A 30% deposit with confirmation of your requirements, with the balance due on delivery. Payment can be by cash, cheque or BACS transfer.
Please note for all orders over £20,000 will require an interim payment of a further 50% prior to installation although I-D-Systems do reserve the right to alter payment terms of any order value subject to status and authorized credit worthiness.

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I-D-Systems - Timber folding sliding doors and energy efficient conservatories. Sunflex aluminium sliding doors, concertina doors and bi fold folding doors