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Certified Series Bi-Fold vs. Simonton® Patio Doors
Simonton is a leading vinyl brand — but its patio doors come in sliding or hinged styles only, and they're vinyl, not aluminum. Simonton doesn't make a folding glass wall. Here's the spec-for-spec breakdown against an all-aluminum Certified Series folding door.
- Thermally broken aluminum frame — no wood core to rot, warp, or refinish
- 6 / 20 / 6 insulated glass with 90% argon fill
- Certified 4500 Pa wind-load & NFRC energy ratings
- Ships ready to install — hardware included, factory-direct price
- Patio doors are sliding or hinged only — no bifold
- Frames are vinyl, not aluminum
- Strong in affordable, impact-rated vinyl for coastal regions
- Backed by a limited lifetime vinyl warranty
Side-by-Side Comparison
Certified Series — Full Technical Specification
Construction & Materials
Energy — NFRC / Title 24
Engineering — EN Standards
Glazing — Reference
Why It Wins
Get the contractor & trade pricing.
Factory-direct, no middleman, with multi-unit and project pricing for builders, glaziers, and dealers.
Simonton® is a registered trademark of Simonton Windows & Doors / Cornerstone Building Brands; other brand names are trademarks of their respective owners. Gladiator Window & Doors is an independent manufacturer and is not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by these companies. Simonton figures reflect publicly available manufacturer specifications and product lines as of June 2026 and vary by series, size, and configuration. Gladiator values reflect certified test data for the Certified Series folding door.
Buyer's Guide · Aluminum Bifold Doors
Gladiator Bi-Fold vs Simonton® Patio Doors
How an all-aluminum folding glass wall compares to Simonton's vinyl sliding and hinged patio doors.
Looking at Simonton patio doors and weighing them against an aluminum bifold door? Simonton is a leading vinyl brand — but its patio doors are sliding or hinged only, and they're vinyl, not aluminum. Simonton doesn't make a folding glass wall. This guide compares aluminum vs. vinyl patio doors and what to choose if you want a true aluminum folding door.
01Does Simonton Make a Bifold (Folding) Patio Door?
No. Simonton's patio doors come in sliding or hinged styles only — there's no folding/bifold option. Simonton is a vinyl-focused brand, so even its sliding and hinged doors are vinyl, not aluminum.
Simonton built its reputation on durable, affordable vinyl windows and patio doors, and it's popular in coastal regions for impact-rated options. But if you want a folding glass wall that stacks open across a wide opening, Simonton doesn't make one — and a vinyl frame isn't as rigid as aluminum across those wide spans anyway.
02Aluminum vs. Vinyl Patio Doors: Which Is Stronger?
Aluminum is far more rigid. Vinyl is budget-friendly and low-maintenance, but it flexes more, expands and contracts with heat, and can discolor in sun over time — especially in dark colors. Aluminum holds its shape across large openings.
Vinyl is a great value for standard sliding and double-hung windows. For a wide folding glass wall, though, the frame has to stay rigid across many panels, and that's where aluminum's strength-to-span matters. Simonton's strength is affordable vinyl; if you need a folding aluminum wall, that's a different product entirely.
Why aluminum wins for folding doors specifically
- Strength-to-span: aluminum holds bigger panels flat without bowing — critical for wide bifold openings.
- No refinishing: powder-coated aluminum never needs sanding, staining, or repainting like a wood interior.
- Corrosion resistance: paired with a SUS304 stainless steel track, it holds up in coastal and high-humidity climates.
- Thermal break: a modern thermally broken aluminum frame closes the old energy gap people associate with older aluminum.
03Which Bifold Door Brands Offer an All-Aluminum Frame?
Simonton is one of several big names that don't build an aluminum folding door — many make their doors in vinyl, wood, clad-wood, or fiberglass instead. A true all-aluminum folding wall is usually a premium specialty product or a factory-direct manufacturer.
| Brand | Bifold frame material | All-aluminum frame? |
|---|---|---|
| Andersen 100 / 200 / 400 Series | Wood / composite (no bifold) | No |
| Andersen A-Series / Big Doors | Aluminum-clad wood (premium tier) | No |
| Pella (Reserve / 250 Series) | Aluminum-clad wood or vinyl | No |
| Marvin (Ultimate / Elevate / Vivid) | Clad-wood or Ultrex fiberglass | No |
| Simonton / Renewal by Andersen | Vinyl / Fibrex composite | No |
| Gladiator Certified Series | Thermally broken aluminum | Yes |
Name a recognizable brand that builds an all-aluminum folding wall — and isn't twice the price.
That's the gap a factory-direct aluminum bifold fills: the premium material without the premium dealer markup.
04The Best Simonton Alternative for a Folding Glass Wall
If you like Simonton's value but want an actual folding door — in an aluminum frame instead of vinyl — the move is an all-aluminum Certified Series bifold, sold factory-direct so you keep the value without giving up the material.
It ships semi-assembled with the glass pre-mounted, backed by a 15-year warranty covering the seal package, track, and fit and finish — available factory-direct to homeowners and trade buyers.
05Simonton Bifold Door FAQs
Does Simonton make a bifold or folding patio door?
Are Simonton patio doors aluminum or vinyl?
Aluminum vs. vinyl patio doors — which is better for a folding wall?
What's a good aluminum alternative to a Simonton patio door?
Compare the full spec sheet — or get trade pricing
See the side-by-side numbers, or apply for contractor, builder, and dealer pricing on factory-direct aluminum bifold doors.
Shop Aluminum Bifold Doors Apply for Trade PricingSimonton® is a registered trademark of Simonton Windows & Doors / Cornerstone Building Brands; other brand names are trademarks of their respective owners. Gladiator Window & Doors is an independent manufacturer and is not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by these companies. Comparisons are based on publicly available manufacturer specifications and product lines as of June 2026 and vary by series, size, and configuration.
