Schüco bifolding doors review

There’s a good reason Schüco bifolding doors and in particular, the ASS 70 FD model, is sought-after and the go-to bifold when you want something better than other products on the market. Desirable styling, thin mullion sightlines, top-notch engineering, brand kudos, and remarkable slide-and-fold action. Now it’s capable of even bigger and better sizes. Whether it’s the ASS 70FD and ASS80 FD HI, Schüco is one of the best bifold doors, without breaking the bank.

What is the Schüco ASS 70 FD bifolding door?

Schüco bifolding doors, both ASS 70 FD and the near-identical ASS 70 FD HD are an all aluminium folding sliding door system, from a company with over fifty years in the architectural aluminium industry. The overall range available from Schüco is substantial, comprising aluminium, steel and even some PVCu products.

Accompanying the ASS 70 FD or the ASS 80 FD are heavy-duty models creating wider door panels and, more recently, a redesigned even thinner and better Schüco bifold in the AS FD 75, that will in time replace this product entirely. There are more bifold types Schüco designs where no insulation is required and for specific uses.

All the bifold products are suitable for dwellings to replace old patio doors in an existing opening. They’re especially good in new extensions. The robust design of Schüco bifolding doors also makes them ideal for high-traffic environments such as bars, restaurants, offices and other commercial buildings. The excellent track choice with these bifolds makes them equally good as internal room dividers or car showrooms.

Are Schuco bifold doors any good?

Without a doubt, when you invest in a set of these doors, you’re getting a top-of-the-line design, engineering, quality and brand name. If you associate high-end German home appliances or cars with quality, longevity and gorgeous looks, Schüco bifold doors provide a similar experience.

Many high-quality glazing firms choose Schüco as their premium bifold door offering.

There’s no question that Schüco doors are excellent. Well made and correctly fitted, they’re reliable, easy to use and will last for many years.

The design of the Schüco bifolding doors

No bifolding door meets every possible requirement, but Schüco meets most of them. The design focuses on clean lines, a modern appearance and less prominent handles than other brands. Profiles are flat and attractive and come with a pleasing 120mm sightline where the panels meet at the closed position.

Also, part for the design and because Schüco over-engineers their products is a substantial range of frame profiles to suit the application. Most noteworthy are several threshold options making these doors suitable for internal use with totally flush floors, a wheelchair threshold and other variations, including the fully weathered type you’d get in a residential property.

Such is the design excellence, there’s even a facility to put an opening window within one bifold panel. Solarlux is the only other brand offering this option. You can have a tilt and turn window to provide ventilation without having to open the doors. Yes, it will bulk up the sightline, but is a great feature and option.

The styling and specifications of has seen a few other systems bring out products with similar features. The BF73 bifold by Alutech is remarkably similar to it, marketed as a trade-friendly bifold with the same sightline, panel size capability and adjustable frame jamb.

The only way to appreciate just how good Schuco bifold doors are is to try them and then compare them with another bifold brand.

Schüco ASS 70 FD Bifolding doors aesthetics

Clean, elegant and stylish is best to describe the product, but it goes further. First is the lack of a floating mullion at the end of a two or four panel door set, all folding in the same direction. Other bifold doors rely on this additional profile in this configuration. The downside is that the bifold door sightlines are uneven at the lock side.

While many other brands use gaskets in the frame, Schuco doors have them positioned, so they move away from the frame when you open them. The quality EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer – a synthetic rubber) glazing gaskets. While these are there to seal the door, they cleverly prevent the black border found on other systems too.

How much do Schuco bifold doors cost?

The price of a set of Schuco bifold doors starts at around £1750 – £2100 per panel, supplied and fitted including VAT. However, prices vary depending on where you buy it, who makes it, overall specifications, colour and glass options.

Prices are approximate only, based upon a grey, white or black bifolding door, supplied and fitted, including VAT.

Schuco Bifolding Door Review. ASS70 vs AS80 differences explained

It is worth comparing what you get with both models of Schuco bifold doors.  Most installers choose to offer the ASS70 as this model meets most residential bifolding door requirements and customer needs. The ASS80 FD HI (high insulation) offers a few differences and is more expensive. The main reason to go with the ASS 80 FD is better U-Values and slightly slimmer sightlines, although the new AS FD 75 model is now the slimmest bifold door on the market.

The Schuco ASS80 FD has enhanced thermal insulation thanks to additional gaskets and extra insulation within the aluminium profiles. It is noticeably slimmer as well as having a slightly thicker glass unit capacity.  Otherwise, the doors are fairly standard when compared side by side.  

This heavier-duty product creates panels up to 1.5m wide. The obvious benefit is having a better three panel solution in an opening where other brands would need four. Should you choose this 1.5m wide panel design is a three panel door closed, and looks like a slimline patio slider. So you get the neat looks of a sliding door closed with just two vertical mullions with all the functionality and appeal of a folding door, opening up the room. Only Express Bifolds offer a similar size model using the Alumil system.

Our at-a-glance-guide illustrates the main differences between the Schuco ASS 70, ASS 80 and AS FD 75.

Feature	ASS70FD	ASS80 FD HI	AS FD 75
Door mullion sightline	120mm	112mm	90mm
Maximum door sizes	1500x3000mm	1200x3000mm	1500×3000
An opening window within a panel	Yes	Yes	No
Frame Depth	70mm	80mm	75mm
Frame Width	60mm	112mm	Varies
Typical U-Value	1.6Wm2K	1.3Wm2K	1.1Wm2K
Weathered Low threshold	Yes	Yes	Yes
Open corner option	Yes	Yes	No
Glass thickness	up to 45mm units	up to 52mm units	50mm

The full technical details of the Schüco ASS bifolds are available from Schüco or any of their approved fabricators.

Other products to compare with Schüco Bifolds

For the quality-conscious customer looking at good brands of bifolding doors, here are our suggestions for comparable products to consider alongside either the ASS70FD or the ASS80 FD HI.  All of these provide an expertly-made door, very good design, comparable sightlines, premium door furniture and similar size capability.  Most are also comparable to Schuco in price.  We list these in our preferred order.

1. Centor 335.

The Centor 335 is one of the very best folding doors for design, construction and quality. Slim, with ingenious design features as well as an excellent integrated screen and shading system. Well worth considering as a result.

2. Sunflex SF55 and SF75.

Made in Germany and of impressive quality are the several bifolding door models by Sunflex. Slim, also with excellent components and one of the best known premium brands in the UK. This is one strong contender to compare with Schuco, especially the SF55e model. The service levels of Sunflex are also first-class.

3. Origin Bifolding Doors.

Schuco and Origin bifolds are frequently compared products and worth looking at side by side.  Origin,  while not as slim as Schuco beat them on lead times and a bigger dealer network. For both the trade and the end user, Origin’s incredible lead times, as well as their dependable 20-year guarantee and outstanding service, are also good reasons to check them out.

4. Air 800 bi-fold doors.

Available exclusively from Everglade Windows through a quality dealer network. The air 800 bifolding door is another high quality product with a 25-year guarantee.  With similar sight lines, durable paint finishes, top-end hardware and other clever innovations. The air 800 is another strong contender to compare alongside Schuco.

5. Reynaers CF77 and CF68 folding Doors

The CF77 and CF68 bifolding doors by Reynaers come from another world-renowned brand and well worth comparing with Schuco as well as Origin and Sunflex.   Like Schuco, Reynaers products come from a nationwide network of premium installers.  The systems company is also excellent in dealing with the end user when required.

6. Solarlux Doors.

Also German-made and designed. Solarlux bifolding doors offer a big range of models and designs. Solarlux is also one of the longest established brands in the UK. We suggest you take a look at this door too when comparing with Schuco.

7. Aluk Luminia F82.

Launched in 2017, Aluk’s premium sliding folding door deserves mention.  Its cheaper and simpler Optio BSF70 bi-fold door is one of the best selling in the UK.  The F82 provides a 122mm meeting stile, a very attractive pop-out T-handle, and an overall high specification.  It only comes through a select network of installers, probably explaining why it’s not well known amongst good brands.  That said, it’s an excellent contender alongside Schuco for price, design and appearance.

Where you can use Schuco Bifold Doors.

A gallery of Schuco bifolding doors in various new build and existing installations. Supplied and Installed by Aspire Bifolds of Surrey but available from installers nationwide too.

Schuco bifolding doors review.  Conclusion.

There are many great bifold doors on the market, but Schüco remains one of the most popular with good bifold door companies and the choice of many architects and designers. This door will be phased out in time but continues to provide an excellent product proposition with a slimmer standard track height than the model replacing it.

All Schüco products come through a network of approved manufacturers and are generally widely available. The manufacturer you choose may determine the specifications you get. Arkay Windows, Express Bifolds, Kloeber, and Dutemann are four of the better-known.

There is no gasket friction, the hinges have extra sealing, and the operation is faultless.  Furthermore, the 10-14mm adjustment on the width with the 8mm height tolerance allows every Schuco door to have the precise adjustment some other door systems lack.

Homeowners or the construction trade looking for a supply and installation service and the glazing trade looking to buy Schüco on a supply-only basis can get in touch for details of a supplier.