|
Feature |
Bi-Fold
Style |
|
Large Sizes |
Poor
(Most systems limited to 9’ tall) |
|
Economic
Impact |
Poor
(Extremely costly! Typically about twice the cost of the Norwood
3070-EX) |
|
Smooth
Operating |
Poor
(Hinges and pins tend to bind during operation) |
|
Longevity |
Poor
(Gravity promotes failure because it wants to “pull” the house down) |
|
Ease
of Use |
Good
(Offers flexible features such as a hinged vent in the middle of the
glass wall) |
|
Weathering |
Good
(Although no certification nor labeling is present, the sill protects
the home from water intrusion) |
|
Sill
Height |
Poor
(No flush sill option) |
|
Sight-lines |
Poor
(Wide verticals obstruct view and size limitations require more
verticals in a typical opening) |
|
Finishes |
Good
(Only aluminum is offered) |
|
Colors |
Good
(Most of these systems offer several color choices) |
|
Automatic
Use |
Poor
(Manual operation only) |
|
System
Flexibility |
Excellent
(Several configurations) |
|
History |
Good
(These products have been manufactured for several years) |
|
Opening View |
Good
(About 90% however the panels encroach on the living space) |
| Clandestine Option | Poor (Cannot be pocketed) |
| Curved Door Option |
Poor
(Not able to bend parts) |
| Installation Ease |
Poor
(This system is extremely volatile and requires many “adjustments”) |
|
Feature |
“Lift
& Slide” Style |
|
Large Sizes |
Good
(Some panels up to 4’wide and 12’ tall) |
|
Economic
Impact |
Poor
(Extremely costly! Typically about twice the cost of the Norwood
3070-EX) |
| Smooth Operating |
Excellent
(However, every panel must be in the “lift” position) |
|
Longevity |
Good
(The interior wood finish requires much maintenance/The aluminum skin is
almost maintenance free) |
|
Ease
of Use |
Poor
(Because each panel must be lowered or “lifted” manually, this
becomes burdensome to some homeowners) |
|
Weathering |
Poor
(No certification/No labeling) |
|
Sill
Height |
Excellent
(Flush sill) |
|
Sight-lines |
Poor
(Wide verticals obstruct view) |
| Finishes |
Good
(Only wood is typically offered) |
| Colors |
Good
(Several colors are offered but only on the aluminum side) |
| Automatic Use |
Poor
(Manual operation only) |
|
System
Flexibility |
Poor
(Strict limits) |
|
History |
Good
(These products have been manufactured for several years) |
|
Opening View |
Excellent (100% when pocketed) |
| Clandestine Option | Excellent (100% pocket able) |
| Curved Door Option | Good (Capable of being curved but with limited radius and sizes) |
|
Installation
Ease |
Poor
(This system requires major changes in the construction of the main slab
to make the hidden sill work) |
|
Feature |
Fleetwood |
|
Large Sizes |
Excellent (Panel sizes up to 8’ wide and 14’ tall) Series 3070 |
|
Economic
Impact |
Excellent
(About 30% less than the “other guys”) |
| Smooth Operating |
Excellent
(Precision Rollers) |
|
Longevity |
Excellent
(Aluminum requires minimal care) |
|
Ease
of Use |
Excellent
(No adjustment needed after installation) |
|
Weathering |
Excellent
(AAMA and NFRC Certified & Labeled) |
|
Sill
Height |
Excellent ( Hidden Track. See page 7) Series 3050 |
|
Sight-lines |
Excellent
(Narrow verticals) |
|
Finishes |
Good
(Only aluminum is offered) |
|
Colors |
Excellent (Thousands of custom paint colors) Series 3070 & Series 3050 |
| Automatic Use | Excellent (High tech motor optional) Series 3070 & Series 3050 |
| System Flexibility |
Excellent
(Numerous configurations) |
|
History |
Excellent
(Fleetwood has been making multi-slide and pocket doors for over three
decades) |
|
Opening View |
Excellent
(100% when pocketed) |
| Clandestine Option | Excellent (100% pocket able) Series 3070 & Series 3050 |
| Curved Door Option | Excellent (Capable of being curved with numerous radius and size options) Series 3050 |
|
Installation
Ease |
|