Folding Sliding Doors Frequently Asked Questions
Please read our folding sliding doors FAQ below.
We have tried to answer all of your questions relating to our self installation doors - including how to instal doors, design your own doors and delivery details of your folding sliding doors.
If there are any questions unanswered here please call us on 0845 123 5661 or contact us and we will be happy to help!
- What are your doors made from?
- Do you install the folding sliding doors that I buy from you?
- Why do you not install folding sliding doors?
- Are folding sliding doors difficult to install?
- Explain briefly how the doors are installed.
- Sounds easy. Are you oversimplifying things?
- Are the doors I order off the shelf or customised to fit the dimensions I order?
- So can I order my folding sliding doors in any combination?
- Are these different folding sliding door design options a different price?
- I’ve seen different companies selling folding doors with different glazing options and thermal values. What do I need to know about folding doors I buy from The California Company?
- What security features can I expect from doors purchased from The California Company?
- How do I order my folding sliding doors?
- What if I make a mistake when ordering my bi-fold doors?
- If there are any anomalies at this time, these can be addressed to ensure your doors are manufactured perfectly.
- So – why buy doors from The California Company?
- How long do my folding doors take to arrive?
- How are my doors delivered?
- Do you unload my folding sliding doors?
- What will I receive when I take delivery of my folding doors?
- Is it easy to figure out ‘what goes where’ and how to install my doors?
- Are the folding sliding doors and related items well packed when shipped?
- What happens if my doors arrive with any damage?
- Are your sliding folding doors guaranteed?
- Do you manufacture your folding sliding doors in the UK?
- Why do you not manufacture folding sliding doors in the UK?
- Do you offer any wood options for your doors?
- What else is there left to ask you about ordering my folding sliding doors?
What are your doors made from?
All our folding sliding doors are made from premium grade aluminium and glass.
Do you install the folding sliding doors that I buy from you?
No. At present we do not install folding sliding doors purchased through our website these are self instal doors.
Why do you not install folding sliding doors?
The costs of running an installation team are exceptionally high. At The California Company we want to offer our products at a very competitive price and incorporating an installation option would be extremely expensive.
In addition, we have found that most of our customers purchasing doors are buying and installing these as part of a larger build / refurbishment project. Such work is generally being undertaken by builders and installing folding doors ties in with the other building work being undertaken.
Are folding sliding doors difficult to install?
No. The folding door system we have developed is very easy to install.
Explain briefly how the doors are installed.
You have your opening or hole in the wall. You have a frame that is installed within this hole. The door panels are then mounted within this frame, hinged together and open and close within this frame. That’s it!
Sounds easy. Are you oversimplifying things?
No – it really is that easy. Provided you understand the principles of ensuring the frame is square, enabling the door panels to run smoothly in the frame, then it really is that simple!
Are the doors I order off the shelf or customised to fit the dimensions I order?
All folding sliding doors order from The California Door Co. are made ‘from the ground up’.
Every order we receive is unique. In our opinion, it is simply not possible to adapt or alter a folding sliding door system to ‘fit’ your specific dimensions.
While our doors are very competitively priced, we don’t believe in making compromises. While your concertina doors may not cost a million dollars, we want them to look that way. Cutting down doors to fit, simply does not cut the mustard.
So can I order my folding sliding doors in any combination?
Pretty much – yes. Our folding doors are available in a contemporary range of silvers, greys, blacks, whites and wood stains. You can select which colour handles and hinges you like.
Most importantly you can select how many panels you would like in your opening and in which direction you would like to open.
You can also select which style of track best suits your requirements. If you prefer your internal living floor level to be almost inline with the level in your garden, you can select a flush track system. If you prefer a step down to your garden, you can select this preference.
Are these different folding sliding door design options a different price?
No – we have taken a unique approach to the purchase of folding sliding doors. We have priced our doors on the size of the doors not on the options you choose.
Therefore whatever colour you choose for your concertina doors, the price is calculated by the square metre.
I’ve seen different companies selling folding doors with different glazing options and thermal values. What do I need to know about folding doors I buy from The California Company?
We do not think that glazing should offer any compromises. Therefore all folding doors feature argon filled double glazed units (5mm / 12mm cavity / 5mm). Argon is an inert gas which has unrivalled insulation values. Simply, it keeps heat in or out. Therefore, if it’s cold outside /warm inside this argon cavity is designed to maintain this equilibrium – and vice versa of course!
In addition, all folding sliding doors come with Low E toughened glass as standard. All of which complies with BS6206.
What security features can I expect from doors purchased from The California Company?
We used ROTO locks and handles – all manufactured in Germany. These main locking system fitted to all doors is a triple locking system to ensure maximum security. On most multiple opening systems (orders with 3 or more door ‘panels’ opening in one direction) the ‘shoot bolt’ mechanism is also ROTO manufactured.
How do I order my folding sliding doors?
Our website allows you to order your folding sliding doors directly and easily online. If you prefer, you can call us direct to discuss your specific door requirements or order your folding doors over the phone.
What if I make a mistake when ordering my bi-fold doors?
All orders are checked by a fully trained design expert to ensure that what you’re ordering makes sense.
100% of customers buying our folding sliding doors are contacted by us after the order has been placed to run through the order / design details to make sure the order details are correct and make sense.
That is peace of mind!
If there are any anomalies at this time, these can be addressed to ensure your doors are manufactured perfectly.
We have an expert team of staff who have been fully trained to help our customers with all aspects of their folding doors order.
We have grown to become the UK’s leading internet-based supply only plantation shutter company and have expanded into the online sale of folding doors.
We thoroughly researched the market and investigated the various manufacturing techniques available and waited 2 years before launching our unique systems which we believe to be the best on market.
So – why buy doors from The California Company?
We’re professional, knowledgeable and experienced with a high quality product that’s guaranteed to transform your home!
How long do my folding doors take to arrive?
The majority of our folding doors customers receive their doors within 7 weeks. Before your doors are dispatched, we will contact you directly to establish that it is convenient to receive delivery of your doors.
How are my doors delivered?
We have a long term partnership with specialist delivery company who will deliver your doors directly to the address you specify.
Do you unload my folding sliding doors?
No. Our delivery company will assist where possible, however it is primarily your responsibility to offload your delivery from the truck.
We will ensure that your door panels and frame are packed in a way which makes offloading as easy as possible; however, we do stress the point that these boxes are heavy.
We recommend that you have at least 3 strong people available to help offload the boxes. Please note that if you refuse to offload your pre-arranged delivery for any reason, additional charges may apply.
What will I receive when I take delivery of my folding doors?
You receive a frame (ready to assemble) into which your door panels are fitted. You will receive your pre glazed door units and all hinges and hardware required to complete the installation.
Is it easy to figure out ‘what goes where’ and how to install my doors?
Yes - the majority of items delivered are clearly marked to show what items are contained within each box. The exclusive system developed by The California Company makes it very clear which items piece together.
Are the folding sliding doors and related items well packed when shipped?
Exceptionally. All fragile items are bubble wrapped then individually secured within their own wooden crates.
What happens if my doors arrive with any damage?
We ask all customers to check over the delivery when it arrives. In the rare instance where you see any visible damage, please sign for the goods as ‘received damaged’.
Ideally, if you can email us photos showing the damage, we can arrange for a repair to be undertaken.
However, it is exceptionally rare for any form of damage to be sustained. We ensure all goods are exceptionally packaged and delivered meticulously!
Are your sliding folding doors guaranteed?
Yes. The product carries a full 3 year guarantee.
Do you manufacture your folding sliding doors in the UK?
No. We manufacture our folding sliding doors in China. Our facility is located around 3 hours outside Shanghai.
Why do you not manufacture folding sliding doors in the UK?
The California Company has been focused on delivering customers the highest quality products at the lowest possible price. Central to this ethos has been our easy to measure / easy to install philosophy.
Cutting out the expensive costs of a measuring and installation team enable us to sell our products at a much lower cost than the ‘company installed’ price.
Secondly, we manufacture in territories where labour is competitively priced without ever compromising the quality of our products. We have a fantastic facility that makes our folding doors using the latest technology, materials and manufacturing techniques, at an exceptionally competitive price.
Do you offer any wood options for your doors?
At this time, we do not offer an option to purchase wooden doors. We do however offer doors in a wood colour -either contemporary teak or black walnut.
What else is there left to ask you about ordering my folding sliding doors?
We have tried throughout this site to give our customers as much information and help as possible. If there are any questions left unanswered, please do contact us as we’re more than happy to help!