CASE STUDY
Godley Road
Products used
Aluminium Bi-Fold Doors, Roof Glazing
Location
U.K
Completion date
Project Overview
Godley Road is a contemporary rear extension using corner-opening aluminium bifold doors and roof glazing to increase daylight and create a direct connection between the home, patio and terraced garden.
Sieger Systems supplied two adjoining bifold door sets comprising seven glazed leaves in total. A five-pane system and a two-pane system meet at the corner, where a movable corner post allows the complete junction to open. Flush threshold detailing supports an uninterrupted transition between the internal living space and the patio.
Project Challenges
Corner-opening aluminium bifold doors for a fully open garden elevation
The extension needed to provide a wide, flexible opening to the rear garden while retaining a controlled glazed elevation when the doors were closed. A conventional fixed corner would have divided the opening and restricted movement between the interior and patio.
The design therefore required two separate bifold systems to meet at one corner, with the corner support moving away with the folding leaves. Track alignment, threshold levels and the relationship between the two door sets all needed to be coordinated so the corner could open cleanly without leaving a permanent post.
The homeowners also wanted the transition between the original brick house and the contemporary extension to remain clearly expressed. Dark aluminium framing was used to contrast with the existing masonry, while roof glazing introduced daylight from above and reinforced the lighter architectural character of the addition.
Project Solutions
Five-pane and two-pane bifold systems with a movable corner post
Sieger Systems installed a five-pane bifold door alongside an adjoining two-pane bifold set. Together, the two systems form a seven-leaf glazed elevation around the corner of the extension.
The corner post is attached to the opening system rather than fixed permanently within the aperture. When both bifold sets are folded back, the post moves with the doors and clears the junction, creating a fully open corner between the living space and patio. This removes the visual and physical obstruction that would otherwise remain at the meeting point of the two elevations.
The doors reach 2300mm in height and use a combined vertical meeting sightline of 120mm. Flush threshold detailing reduces the change in level between the extension and external terrace, supporting easier movement and a more continuous floor connection.
Roof glazing above the extension brings additional daylight into the new living area and contributes to the impression of a lightweight roof plane over the open corner.
Project Highlight
The five-pane and two-pane bifold systems meet at a movable corner post that folds away with the doors. When both elevations are open, the fixed corner condition disappears and the roof appears to float above an unobstructed connection between the interior and garden.
End Result
Performance considerations
The performance of the corner-opening aluminium bifold doors depends on the accurate coordination of both door sets, the movable post and the flush threshold. Track levels and meeting profiles must align precisely so that the seven leaves operate consistently and close securely around the corner junction.
The multi-panel arrangement allows the homeowners to control how much of the rear elevation is opened. One door set can be used independently for routine access and ventilation, or both systems can be folded back to create the full open-corner condition.
When closed, the large glazed leaves retain views and daylight across the extension. The rooflight supplements the vertical glazing by introducing light from above, while the dark aluminium framing provides a clearly contemporary contrast with the original brick property.
Sieger’s conclusion
Godley Road demonstrates how corner-opening aluminium bifold doors can create a substantially clear garden elevation without retaining a fixed structural post at the junction. The combination of adjoining door sets, a movable corner and flush threshold provides flexible access while preserving a strong connection between the extension and patio.
This approach is suited to architects, designers and homeowners developing rear extensions where two glazed elevations need to open together and the corner must remain visually and physically unobstructed.
To discuss a similar extension, contact Sieger Systems for technical advice on corner-opening bifold configurations, movable posts, threshold detailing and roof glazing coordination.
Fully open corner without a permanent post
Seven folding leaves across two elevations
Flush access between the extension and patio
Roof glazing increases daylight from above
Technical specifications
| Aluminium Bi-Fold Door Configuration | Two adjoining systems comprising a five-pane bifold door and a two-pane bifold door, creating seven glazed leaves across the rear extension. |
| Corner Detail | Movable corner post designed to fold away with the door leaves, removing the fixed corner obstruction when both elevations are open. |
| Project Door Height | Bifold door leaves installed at 2300mm high. |
| Vertical Meeting Sightline | Combined vertical sightline of 120mm across the paired bifold framing. |
| Threshold Detail | Flush threshold used to reduce the level change between the internal living area and external patio. |
| Roof Glazing | Fixed overhead glazing used to increase daylight within the extension and support the lightweight appearance of the roof above the open corner. |
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