FOLDING doors made of glass and aluminium can enliven the interiors of a place by creating more space and light while bringing a breath of fresh air to one’s doorstep, says a Bahrain-based company that markets one such product.

Reynaers Middle East adds that the CF 77 folding system has grown in popularity across the Gulf since it was launched on the market a little under two years ago, with popular restaurants and high-end villas among its many users.

The architectural solution by Reynaers Aluminium, a leading European provider of high-quality and sustainable aluminium systems, aims to bring down the barriers between the inside and outside, creating increased living space without sacrificing insulation.

This state-of-the-art product, which is aesthetically pleasing and versatile, has been designed to meet increased market demand for high-quality, attractive and complete folding solutions that offer improved space utilisation, according to Ali Khalaf, managing director of Reynaers Middle East, the regional office for Reynaers Aluminium.

Bahrain's Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa speaks with Reynaers' technical manager Abdulla Mayoof at the company's bulfBID stand.

“It intends to give users the ability to draw the external environment indoors, allowing them to experience the surroundings through all seasons,” he says.

Some of the key projects that are using the system are the Dragon Restaurant in Bahrain and several luxury villas in the region.

“The introduction of the CF 77 also brings us closer to the end-user segment where owners of houses and villas, shops and showrooms can benefit from this product, which combines the inside and outside environment of any surrounding very comfortably,” he says.

The CF 77 folding system was showcased at gulfBID, the premier exhibition for the Northern Gulf’s construction industry, held in Bahrain last April (24 to 26).

The standalone solution comprises new profiles, accessories and insulation technologies that have specifically been designed for folding systems. It ensures high insulation values (Uf values up to 2.22 W/sq m K and Uw up to 1.68 W/sq m K with an Ug of 1.1 W/sq m K for a three-panels configuration measuring 2,700 by 2,300 mm) that meet stringent legislation requirements as well as market demands well into the future.

The CF 77 is supplemented with a slim-line variant, the CF77-SL that has a narrower visible width. The CF 77 allows substantial transparent constructions with a maximum height of 3 m and vent width of up to 1,200 mm, allowing vent weights of up to 120 kg. Different designs in handle options are also available. An optional door-locking principle allows users to use the first leaf either as an entrance door or as a window without impacting the folding capability of the system.

The CF 77 folding system ... popular in the Gulf.

“With the CF 77, there’s a broad variety of configurations to choose from. Its versatility allows fabricators the benefit of installing the system to open either inward or outward with the same profiles and accessories. With its limited number of profiles and innovative locking mechanism, the system can easily be adjusted and assembled on site,” he says.

The CF 77 solution with its 77-mm building profile depth is fully compatible and can be integrated with most existing Reynaers systems and solutions in the windows and doors as well as curtain-walls product range.

The system is available in three different door sill solutions: the flat bottom solution allows for easy entry/exit and maximum convenience for high traffic, while the low threshold option offers a rise of only 18 mm. Maximum performance in terms of air, wind and water resistance is achieved with the high-performance option.