Everything You Need to Know
Bifold doors have become popular in recent times and continue to do so. Bifold doors have risen in popularity and can add value, aesthetic appeal and save space. These doors come in different designs, colors and styles. These doors allow you to make the most of your spaces.
Bifold doors offer a more attractive, sturdy and unique alternative to traditional doors.These doors can fold in or out to open up spaces. These doors are used in panteries, laundry rooms and wardrobes. Bifold doors can be used as interior and exterior doors.
There are different types of bifolding doors including:
- The single bifold/concertina doors
- Bifold door as room dividers
- Bifold doors with access doors.
Now let us look at how these bifold doors work.
How do these doors work?
Bifold doors function similar to an accordion, folding back panels into a compact space while they can open up across the entire doorway. Bifold doors are manufactured using panels that are hinged together and slide on runners on the floor and the upper beam of a doorway. The panels slide and fold in synchrony as the door is opened and can be neatly folded away without obstructing the doorway.
Some bifold doors use a traffic door that is a swinging door as one of the components in the bifold door. This means that there is a standard door within the bifold door which makes it more accessible without the need of having to fold back all the leaves in the bifold door all the time.
Why are these Doors called Bifold Doors?
These doors are called bifold doors because these doors were originally made featuring just two panels to fold in the middle which gave them their name. Bi means two.
Are these Doors Secure?
These doors are more secure than most exterior doors but this can only be guaranteed if installed properly. You’ll need to ensure that your exterior doors have good locking systems.
Reinforced glass is the best option if security is a concern for you.
Do these Doors Let Cold in?
A good quality, properly installed door should let in cold. But they can be opened wide on a hot day to let the cold in to cool your home without having to use air conditioning or fans which helps save energy costs.
The type of the glass used in the door will have a considerable impact on thermal efficiency of your doors. Larger doors will let in sunlight lighting up spaces.
Sliding Doors Vs Bifold Doors
Bifold doors and sliding doors are often mistaken to be the same thing. But these two door types are fundamentally different in the fact that sliding doors don’t fold but slide back over each other on rails to create an opening with some of the panels moving. Bifold doors have runners that slide through guides that keep the panels aligned.
In sliding or French doors a panel or a leaf slides over another leaf which opens up partially. Modern sliding doors sometimes come with a number of parallel rails which can accommodate up to four leaves sliding over each other to allow a larger opening. The most noteworthy benefit of sliding doors is that they don’t intrude into both interior or exterior space.
Bifold doors slide in synchrony and open up the entry doorway. Folded leaves take very little space on either side compared to sliding doors. Bifold doors offer a blend between traditional French doors and sliding doors, offering improved functionality and more space.
Can you install bifold doors as exterior doors
Bifold doors are a great choice when it comes to a simple solution to open up a barrier between the interior and the exterior of your home. These bifold are easily removable and act as separators between the interior and exterior parts of your home.
Bifold doors are great at extending spaces such as living and entertainment areas. They are great at letting in improving natural light within the home.
How do you install internal bifold doors?
Although most bifold doors are to open up the house to exterior areas such as gardens and entertainment areas. Bifold doors can create wide open areas which can be easily transformed into smaller spaces. These doors let in more natural light throughout your home. They also have great insulation and soundproofing qualities.
Bifold doors are also used in commercial properties. Bifold doors can be used as separators between meeting rooms, offices and exhibition spaces and even to create spaces for events and concerts. This feature allows for privacy which can be achieved by using blinds and non-transparent materials in the leaves of the door.
It’s best to leave installing bifold doors in the hands of professionals or experts. It is a must that the lower runner guide the door so that there is no chance of anyone tripping. The lower runner needs to be parallel to the upper one to prevent jamming.
The design of a bifold door needs to be adjusted during installation taking into consideration that apertures are rarely exactly square shaped. Runners can be customized in different designs. If you want a bifold door to perform at its peak then it’s best to consult an experienced expert to install it.
What sizes do bifold doors come in?
A key advantage of bifold doors is that they are suitable for large and small spaces. Bifold doors can have leaves that vary from 400mm to 1200mm when used in domestic settings and heights up to 3m and width of up to 8m. These doors can have up to 7 panels. This lets your home have a flexible entrance that can open between interior and exterior spaces.
Key Benefits of Bifold Doors
These doors let you use almost the entire space of the doorway area. They are a great doorway solution for entrances where French doors aren’t large enough to serve their function.
These doors bring the beauty of the outdoors indoors which is true if it’s completely or partially open.
They are more flexible than French doors because of their configuration and the materials. You can customize the panels of these doors to split and stack up when opening the door. You can also decide if your bifold door opens in from left to right or split in the middle, You can also choose if the panels should fold inwards or outwards. The width also can be customized to suit the specific spaces and usage.
The use of steel in the construction process allows the frames to have greater creativity and flexibility in design and also finish and color.
These doors are perfect for tight spaces.
Are Bifold Doors Affordable?
There are many different factors that influence the final cost of a bifold door. These are the size, color, style and overall design of the door and the location you want it installed. If steel is used in bifold doors it makes for a stronger and more durable door than if it is made of alternative materials.
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FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bifold door?
Bifold doors are doors that slide open, which are made of a compilation of panels that fold up like an accordion. There are both interior and exterior bifold doors available. There are single bifold doors, room dividers and bifold doors with access doors.
How do bifold doors work?
Bifold doors work on a principle called the concertina principle. The concertina is another term for an accordion. These doors fold back on hinged frames and glass panels into a compact area.
What does sliding doors mean?
Sliding doors are doors that open and close by sliding instead of swinging on hinges. There are many different types of sliding doors such as sliding patio doors, bi-fold doors, pocket sliding doors and stacker sliding doors.