One of the alternatives to French doors and slider doors is the bi-fold door, which is becoming increasingly popular. There are plenty of pros and cons of bi-fold doors, such as their chic style and space-saving functionality.
In this article on Antique Glass ltd, we want to answer the question that many people still ask: “what are bi-fold doors and what the benefits of them are?”
If you are interested in doors in London, read this article based on our expert’s experiences.
What are the bi-fold doors?
Bi-fold doors are doors that slide open, made from a series of panels that fold up against the wall. Although conventional, single leaf doors are standard in most modern homes, they can be incredibly inconvenient when you’re trying to make the most of the space in your home.
As this kind of doors can be installed inside or outside your home, without losing out on that sense of space, there are no better alternatives for bi-fold doors. They can also be a gateway to your garden or conservatory or even a way to split a larger room.
There is often confusion around the difference between sliding doors and bi-fold doors. Bi-fold doors require runners and sliding as an important part of their function.
Standard sliding doors essentially are made up of two leaves, and only one of the leaves moves. But bi-fold doors slide and fold at the same time, so it is possible to open up almost the entire aperture.
Choosing between a bi-fold door and a sliding door can seem a difficult decision. Both doors are visually appealing and offer benefits – but in different ways!
A significant amount of flexibility in both internal and external bi-fold doors can be customized to suit almost any requirement.
Speaking of internal and external bi-fold doors, they are wonderful for exterior doors, because they allow you to easily open up the barrier between your indoor and outdoor space.
This feature is perfect for summer entertaining, or for keeping an eye on the kids when they’re playing in the garden.
Since the doors don’t take up too much space either inside or out when they’re open, they’re great for confined living spaces or gardens.
Let’s speak the pros and cons of the bi-fold door.
Pros
– Flexibility
Apart from they are deceptively easy to clean and are easy to fix and install by yourself; bi-fold doors offer a lot of flexibility in terms of configuration.
You can choose the number of leaves, the size of each one, the direction of opening, and other things. Plus, if you opt for aluminum doors, you have a wide variety of colors to select from, too.
– View
The most obvious benefit of using an external bi-folding door is the spectacular views it offers. You can bring a little outdoors indoors and create a sense of open plan living that sliding doors cannot replicate.
-opening size
One of the biggest pros of bi-fold doors is that they can allow almost 90% of the entire entrance way to be opened up. They are ideal for large entrance ways.
– Security
it is a concern for whom are not 100% sure about the in-fold doors security. They can be very secure, in fact, than most other types of external door.
Reinforced glass is definitely a sensible option if security is a major concern for you. Finally, you could always install an alarm, giving you a little extra piece of mind.
– Installation
once you have selected the right door size, bi-fold doors are relatively easy to install. If you have some knowledge and are confident in your abilities, you should be able to tackle the installation of an internal yourself, but we’d highly recommend seeking professional help if you’re looking into installing exterior bi fold doors.
Cons
– Cost
Bi-fold doors can indeed cost more than the other alternatives, simply because they are more complex and require additional manufacturing. That entirely depends on the manufacturer you choose.
The size of the aperture and the style of door you’re looking for are other aspects to determine the cost.
Consider that aluminum bi-fold doors tend to be more expensive than uPVC because their durability has a much longer lifespan, making them the more cost-effective choice in the long run.
– Cold transfer
the idea about transfer in cold can vary. With good quality, well-fitted bi-fold doors should not ever be too cold, though if your external bi-folding doors are opened wide on a hot day, they can help to cool your home without resorting to expensive air conditioning or flimsy fans.
Also the type of glass you choose will have a serious impact on the thermal efficiency of your doors.
Plus, the larger windows will spend all day letting the sun in, and if you then choose to adorn your doors with curtains or blinds at night, that heat should remain trapped.
-Frames
Each folding pane of glass has its own frame which, when closed, can mean a slightly obstructed view.
-threshold
although the lack of a raised threshold is a positive in terms of safety, it can present a problem if not installed correctly.
Hopefully, we’ve been able to give you an insight into exactly what bi-fold doors are and what pros and cons of bi-fold doors you should consider them for both interior and exterior applications.
In Antique glass ltd, We can help you to decide whether bi-fold doors are suitable for your home, and run through the various configurations and design choices available to help you come to the right decision. So do not hesitate to get in touch with us. Call us now.
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