What are Bifold Doors?
Bifold doors are a popular style of patio doors, made up of multiple individual panels, typically glazed and finished with either a metal or wooden frame. These panels are connected using hinges on the edges of the frames which allow each panel to move back against the next in an accordion style.
External Bifold doors are increasingly popular thanks to their sleek appearance and their practicality. Their practicality lends itself perfectly to merging indoor and outdoor spaces, helping homes make the most of their gardens in the warmer months while allowing for singular leaves to be opened for access during the winter months.
How Much Do Bifold Doors Cost?
High quality bifold doors cost between £1200 and £5000 depending on the size of the space, the panels needed and the materials used in construction.
Installation costs can vary again depending on the complexity of the project but expect to pay at least £600 for professional installation.
Bifold doors are slightly more expensive than traditional patio door styles due to the complexity of their construction and installation. However, folding doors are rising in popularity and draw greater appeal adding more value onto properties as an addition or renovation.
How Do Bifold Doors Work?
Bifold doors are a midway point between folding and sliding doors and as such are made up of single folding leaves which each sit on a track within the doorframe. Each individual panel or leaf has hinges to both sides (left and right) which connect to the adjoining door; or the frame for the first panels in the set. Once opened, each leaf bends and slides along the track within the top and bottom of the door frame, until laying flat against the sides of the frame.
How to Open Bifold Doors
A single end panel can be opened much like a traditional door to grant access to outside spaces, or interior spaces; if using internal folding doors. However, to fully open bifold doors each panel must slide along the track, bending in at the hinge and folding flat against the adjoining door(s).
Maintaining Bifold Doors
A common misconception is that bifold doors require a lot of maintenance, in comparison to other doors. However, all doors require maintenance, especially external doors exposed to the elements year round.
To maintain bifold doors, clean the frames and tracks first by hoovering loose debris and then washing with warm soapy water, and rinsing clean. Dry any areas prone to rusting and lubricate any moving elements such as hinges, rollers, and tracks with a silicone lubricant or grease spray to prevent seizing and keep them in good working order.
Internal Bifold Doors
Folding internal doors are becoming more and more popular as people strive to make the most of their living spaces. While open plan living is convenient during the summer months, keeping spaces warm and bills down take priority in the colder, winter months. Utilising internal bifold doors allows you to do just that, without the need for expensive structural alterations for alternatives such as pocket doors.
Available in both solid and glazed variations you can welcome as much or as little natural light into your space as you like or go for full privacy and partition with solid doors.
Perfect for small spaces, studios or open plan configurations, internal bifold doors provide a practical stylish solution helping you adapt your space with ease. If you’re concerned about space and suitability talk to us about our made to measure internal bifold doors, available in a range of custom sizes for any space.
External Bifold Doors
External bifold doors have been growing in popularity for over a decade, thanks to their versatility, convenience and strong aesthetic appeal. These are typically aluminium or UPVC but wooden variations are available. External folding doors are usually placed in areas where homeowners want to create a blended space; leading to and from outside areas such as patios, deckings and lawns into the main property; increasing airflow in the summer and allowing for excellent hosting and use of outdoor areas.
External bifold doors are perfect for properties of all shapes and sizes, from apartments to bungalows, or houses. As long as your property has an outside space, you can consider utilising bifold doors to get the most from your interior and outside spaces.
Bifold Doors: The Pros and Cons:
The Pros of Bifold Doors
- Blend indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly
- Strong and lasting aesthetic appeal
- Energy efficiency (when closed)
- Air circulation (when opened)
- Secure
The Cons of Bifold Doors:
- Can be bulky as panels stack on top of themselves
- More expensive than other traditional external doors
- Professional installation needed due to complexity
- Can cause rain water drainage issues if not installed properly by professionals
Bifold Doors VS French Doors
Choosing the Right Doors
The right external doors will vary from home to home and the vision you’ve got for your space. The best starting point is comparing patio doors, ensuring you understand the pros and cons of each and which are going to be the best fit for your space, and the goals you want to achieve. At Doordeals, we’ve got a vast selection of french doors and bifold doors catered to a range of budgets; helping you find the perfect style for your space. We even supply a range of bespoke made to measure bifold doors.
Need some help? Get in touch with our expert team today to discuss your options and find the right doors for your space.