Bifold Door Blog

Home Improvements Using Bifold Doors

2011-02-06T05:46:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for ways to improve and increase the value of your home, bifold doors are the perfect solution. Inside or outside, the folding doors can replace existing doors or be used to create new vast doorways either in existing walls, in new extensions or conservatories or to divide rooms. The appearance can be matched to the style of your home and your existing doors and windows, with a choice of uPVC, aluminium, wood and timber clad aluminium. Each material comes with a wide range of colours and finishes, making it easy to get what you want.

The concertina doors add value to your home by improving the appearance, accessibility and efficiency. Not only do the doors look smart, but they create a beautiful light atmosphere. With the option of having a flush threshold, the doors allow a wide entrance which is beneficial not only for wheelchair users but to reduce the risk of accidents from tripping. Moving large items of furniture inside and outside your home is no longer an issue with bifold doors, since the doors open fully. Using modern technology and special glasses, the doors are energy efficient, allowing your home to keep the heat inside.

Top 5 Uses for Bifold Doors

2010-09-22T05:14:00.000-07:00

Modern bifold doors, which are made up from double glazing encased in sturdy frames made from either wood, uPVC or aluminium, can be applied to many different situations. There are many different options available that can make the perfect bifold door for the location.

Bifold doors used externally in homes. An external bifold door can lead from existing rooms, new builds such as extensions or conservatories onto patios, decking or other garden areas. In hot weather this creates a nice flow between the inside and outside, a cooler atmosphere indoors and a bright atmosphere. In the colder months, the large glass doors allow for maximum light inside.
Folding sliding doors used internally in homes. Internally, bi-folding doors can be used to create a divide between rooms. Because of their insulating properties, when closed the doors create a virtually sound-proof barrier. The glass panels allow for light to pass through, although the view can easily be blocked for privacy by purchasing doors with integral blinds.
Concertina doors for small apartments. Small apartments can benefit from accordion doors in several ways. They can be used much the same as #1 and #2 - either to divide the apartment up, but with the option of opening it up in to a large space again, or to open the apartment up onto a balcony. Small apartments that face the sun tend to get unbearably hot on bright days, having the option to entirely open up the room can create a much more comfortable living space.
Bi-fold doors in restaurants or cafes. Restaurants and cafes with out door seating areas can create a pleasant atmosphere by using folding doors. The glass wall can create a bright atmosphere inside, a smart appearance and an easy and safe access point.
Folding doors in warehouses. The great benefit of bifold doors in warehouses is that they can create a very large, unobstructed entrance that is suitable for wheeling goods in and out. However, the doors are easily operated and don't have to be opened fully, unlike other doors used in warehouses. Choose a strong frame like aluminium and a toughened glass and the doors will withstand a greater level of knocks and bumps.

Bifold Door Colours

2010-08-19T09:47:00.000-07:00

The colour options available for bifold doors depends on the type of folding door you buy.
For example, uPVC doors come in limited colours, because the uPVC itself contains the colour and is not applied afterwards.
Aluminium and wood have a great selection of colour options, as the colour is applied to the material.
Wooden bi-fold door frames have the additional benefit that the finish can easily be sanded off and reapplied, so the colour choice is not as important since it can be changed.

Most companies offer a range of literally hundreds of paint colours for aluminium and wooden bifold doors. These are either painted on to the door, in several coats, or factory sprayed. Factory sprayed finished often provide a much greater quality, depending on the amount of spray used. The average factory sprayed finish is the equivalent of 15 coatings of paint. Because of this, factory sprayed finishes are longer lasting, low maintenance and smooth.

The colours available range from subtle and common to bright and obscure. Out of the range of hundreds, you are bound to find one that suits your home and personal taste.

If you are choosing a wooden bifold door, you also have the choice of a range of wood stains. These stains penetrate the wood to protect it and stain it with colour, but allow the natural grain to show through. A highly attractive choice for those with existing wooden windows and doors or a more traditional style of property.

uPVC folding doors come in a choice of white or wood-mimicking colours. The ingrained colour is easy to clean and does not require painting.

For people who require a different colour on the outside of their bifold door, there are clad bifolding doors. These doors feature aluminium on the outside and a clipped on wood cladding on the inside. This gives many advantages, one of them being that the door can be two different colours and that the interior can easily be clipped off to repaint, or changed entirely.

Folding Doors Create Space

2010-07-22T09:50:00.000-07:00

Bifolding doors can be added to many different situations to enhance a buildings appearance and climate. The choice of different frames, including uPVC, aluminium and wood, are sure to suit any style of building and match any existing doors and windows without looking out of place. Folding sliding doors can have any number of panels to fit the doorway of your dreams, from a small doorway of just 3 glass panels, right up to an entire wall of 16 panels. Regardless of the number of panels used, each set of bifold doors is easy to use thanks to the hard-wearing and smooth-running hardware used in the running tracks.
The folding doors can be used inside, to divide up rooms or office space, or outside as an entrance to the building. Either way, a bifold door can transform a stuffy, enclosed space that is lacking light, into an area that feels much more open and light and can be opened up to create a much larger space. If you worry about sometimes needing privacy, most bifold doors can come with the option of integral blinds. These blinds are encapsulated within the double glazing, so it has the advantage of never getting dusty or dirty. When down, the blinds can protect against UV rays as well as your privacy. When not in use, the blinds fold up neatly into the top of the glass panelled doors.
Strong, modern bi-fold door equipment allows for doors to be installed in wide spaces and also on corners without the need for any form of support from a post or barrier at intervals. This means you can have a large, unrestricted doorway, even on the corner of a property! The versatility of the modern technology creates opportunities for the doors to be used in many different scenarios.

Bifold Door Benefits

Bifold Doors Create Bigger Openings

2010-04-28T08:25:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been frustrated by the restrictions of your door? Especially on hot days, when having a large open doorway would provide a lovely cool breeze through the house and a pleasant atmosphere where the outside meets the inside. Standard french doors are often only suited to small doorways, giving you few options over choosing the size you would like. Sliding doors may have the same problem, with the additional issue that there is always one door blocking the doorway.

Bifold doors offer an unobstructed doorway which can be as large as you like. Because modern bifold doors have a better quality of running track, you do not need to worry about the doors becoming stuck. This could be a concern you have if you want a very large doorway, but there is no need to worry. Bifold doors can also be partially opened, creating an attractive concertina door appearance. If you would prefer, large doorways can have split bifold doors - essentially two bifold doors with one being on each side and the opening being in the centre. This gives you the choice of which side to open if you want only half of the doorway opened.

Bifold door panels can also range in size. Slim profiles (slim frames) give you the option of an thinner panel, if that is what you would prefer. Wide panels are another option. As well as panel width and opening direction, you need to choose whether you want your doors to open inwards or outwards. This decision is entirely dependant on the location of the bifold doors and your personal preference. Most people prefer outwards opening doors, since it gives more space inside when the doors are open. Some people may have pathways or areas which need to remain clear, in these cases an inwards opening bifold door would be better.

Bi-fold door benefits

2010-01-04T07:21:00.000-08:00

There are many benefits to having a bi-fold door installed. Previously restricted entrances can be opened up with the use of a bifold door. They can add value to your property, by creating a unique and highly desirable look.

For entertaining, folding doors can help perfect the atmosphere on warm days or nights, allowing guests to choose between the outside and the inside without separating the two entirely. They can also benefit properties in general on hot days, providing a much larger air circulation than standard entrances. This is especially useful in conservatories and other rooms that heat up quickly and can be unbearable.

What are sliding folding doors?

Bifold Door Style and Interior Design

2009-12-07T03:16:00.000-08:00

One of the most appealing aspects of a bifold door is the style and design. Aluminium doors can add sleek, sharp lines to your minimalistic or modern style home. The large range of colours available means you are guaranteed to find a colour to suit your scheme.

As well as the folding doors themselves offering great design elements, the space of the doorway available when the doors are open is a key design feature. Include patios, balconies, gardens and decking in your designs. Such designs are often restricted by standard opening doors, sliding doors or small doorways. The ability to really open a room up can extend the area you have to work with and truly allow for nature to be incorporated.

What are bifold doors?
uPVC folding conservatory doors

2009-11-30T03:32:00.001-08:00

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Bifolding doors - past vs. present

2009-11-16T03:22:00.000-08:00

Bifold doors were first around in the 1980s. In the past 30 years, bifold technology has come a long way.

You might remember earlier bifold doors being large, heavy doors that were difficult to operate due to their flimsy mechanisms. If you owned a bifold door, then you may have experienced the times the doors became stuck and sometimes even came off their hinges or running tracks altogether.
It was rare for bifold doors of the past to be used externally, since they would leak, let in draughts and were obviously vulnerable to potential attacks. Because of this, the old doors would most commonly be used as room dividers.

If you've seen modern bifold doors, you will know that the old issues are no longer applicable. Improvements in the technology of the doors means that the operation of even the largest doors is easy and faultless. This smooth operation is due to concealed running tracks, sealed bearings and high security hinges, which also offer greater protection against damage and potential security risks. The present doors allow increased protection from the weather, with improved seals and a better fit.
Because of these developments in security and durability, modern bifold doors are suitable, and even preferable, for external use.

by Caroline Chapman

What are bifold doors?
Bifold doors for all situations
Online Bifold Door Shop

Bifold Doors For All Situations

2009-11-06T07:51:00.000-08:00

Whether it’s for your home or business, there’s a bifold door to suit your needs.

If you’ve just had a new conservatory built, you may like to consider uPVC folding doors to match. Having the option of a wide entrance can help control the temperature of your conservatory on hot days. Don’t avoid the stuffy, suffocating heat of your conservatory on summer days; open the doors fully and create a warm but airy atmosphere for you to enjoy.

If you live in an older property you may prefer to have a more traditional looking door. Enjoy the benefits of a modern bifold door with the warmth and character of a wooden door. Wooden folding doors open out your property to create a neat, unspoilt view.

Perhaps you have a business which could benefit from a more heavy duty bifold door. Aluminium bifold doors are the answer. Heavy duty doors allowing for larger sized panels, available with a range of high-security glasses including tempered and laminated.

If you wish for a bifold door with a wooden interior but want a tough, maintenance-free exterior, or if you change your interior design often and want a door which is easy to customise, then the ali-clad bifolding door is the choice for you. Low-maintenance, long lasting aluminium external frame, with a clip on timber cladding interior. Allows you to have a different colour for the exterior and the interior wood clad is easy to remove for varnishing or painting, or even replace entirely with a different species of wood.

Whatever your preferences, it’s easy to have them met with a large range of options to choose from.

Other posts
What are bifold doors?
Other bifold door blogs

Other blogs on bifold doors

2009-10-29T05:28:00.000-07:00

I don't have time to write a full blog post today I'm afraid. Instead I thought I'd list a few other blogs on bifold doors for your viewing pleasure. These are blogs which target the different frame materials used in bifold doors. Each frame has it's own properties, so these blogs should help you to choose the door which will suit your needs.

Al-Clad Bi-Fold Door Blog - Ali-clad, or timber-clad, are aluminium frames with timber cladding. These bifold doors provide a great option for those who can't decide between the aluminium and timber doors. The external aluminium frame is durable and easily maintained, inside you have the timber clad which can easily be changed to meet your interior design.
The blog doesn't contain much yet, but it has great potential. If you need more information in the mean time check out the Ali-Clad Bifold Door page.

Aluminium Bifolding Doors Blog - Aluminium is a great, heavy-duty material. The doors come in a wide range of colourings and are really easy to maintain.

Timber Folding Doors Blog - Hardwood or softwood, you can't beat the warmth and character you get from a wooden bifold door.

uPVC Folding Sliding Doors Blog - uPVC is a great, affordable option for many homes. Also great for matching conservatories!

What are bifold doors?

Thanks for looking!

Bifold Doors - What are they?

2009-10-28T04:43:00.000-07:00

Hi! Welcome to my new blog, all about bifold doors.

Here's a video I found displaying some great examples of bifold doors:

As you can see bifold doors can be applied to many different situations and many different size openings. They can be used in place of french or patio doors, with just 2 panels, or in place of entire walls, with up to 16 panels.

There are many different names for bifold doors: bi-fold doors, bifolding doors, folding doors, folding sliding doors, concertina doors, fold-back doors and fold-away doors are amongst them.

The difference between bifold doors and your typical sliding doors is that bifold doors open the entrance out, with a 90% clear doorway. This is much more versatile than sliding doors, which only provide a 50% clear doorway at best.

For a full list of bifold door examples please see Bifold Door Examples.

I hope you enjoy my blog!