Do you love the open view of the outdoors and are looking for a door solution that saves a lot of space? Then a high-quality folding patio door is exactly what you need.
Why are bifold doors no longer popular? No, they were just forgotten, because the choice of bifolding doors design was limited and the installation was relatively complicated. Today, the situation has changed radically, folding doors are popular again and the demand is increasing.
The advantages are undeniable. The installation of folding doors is now not complicated and can even be done by experienced DIY enthusiasts themselves.
There are different styles, different sizes and a variety of materials to choose from. From an aesthetic point of view, this type of folding door has also changed a lot. Folding doors are now available in a variety of beautiful designs and colors.
Their biggest advantage is undoubtedly the small amount of space they take up when open, which is obviously different from French doors.
What are bifold doors
The functional principle of bifold doors is simple and ingenious: as the name suggests, these doors fold open and close like an accordion.
Although the individual slats are basically pushed together, they are not sliding doors. Bifolding doors consist of individual slats or wings connected by permanently elastic joints. The folding elements can be easily moved simply by hooking into the runners.
The folding elements are made of aluminium, usually of thermally insulated aluminium profiles, which makes them stable but still light.
They can be opaque or equipped with transparent safety glass. The opening width can be adjusted individually. Special dimensions are also possible. Thanks to their special construction, Grandsea’s folding doors are very quiet.
In which rooms are folding doors suitable?
Folding doors are equally suitable for almost all door widths and rooms. However, our experience with folding doors has shown that they particularly show their strengths when you need to create particularly wide door openings.
Folding doors create an atmosphere of order and clarity, bring daylight into the room and make your home look more spacious. For this reason, they are often used in kitchens, bathrooms and balcony entrances.
Folding doors can also serve as room dividers and become a welcome feature of interior spaces, as they can cleverly make something “disappear” (for example, a messy room when guests suddenly arrive) or open up new perspectives. They make life more exciting and more creative.
Bifold closet doors and bifold barn doors are one of the most popular elements for interior design and wardrobes.
What are the disadvantages of bi fold doors?
Of course, we do not want to ignore the disadvantages here, even if they are not so important. Bifold doors are particularly suitable for wide terrace fronts, but usually have poorer insulation than turn and lift doors, for example.
The preferred material for bifold doors is durable aluminum, which is easy to maintain and also has good insulation properties. High-quality locking systems ensure the necessary level of security so that the bifold doors can be used as exterior doors.
Some models are slightly lacking in terms of thermal insulation. If the door leads to another indoor area, such as a winter garden, thermal insulation is not so important and will not be a problem.
Please note that folding patio doors, especially the joints, must be regularly maintained and serviced.
If you receive a quote from a bifold door company, carefully check the material and the manufacturer’s recommendations on durability, thermal insulation and maintenance of the door and window. Generally speaking, vinyl bifold doors tend to have a shorter lifespan than aluminum bifold doors.
Which is better French doors or bifold doors?
We are happy to provide purchasing advice to help you choose between these two types of exterior doors, as we can provide customers with both types of high-quality doors.
One of the great advantages of bifold doors is the seamless connection between indoor and outdoor areas during the warm season. Wide folding sliding doors allow the terrace or garden to be integrated into the living space, creating a real outdoor feeling – something that French doors do not offer. The opening width of French doors is limited due to the size of the door leaf.
Both can encounter problems with the use of space. One disadvantage of bifold doors is that the folding wings of the inward opening system protrude into the room and may therefore get in the way of furniture or decorative items. French doors open outwards, but there are similar problems, such as snow accumulation in winter, which must be cleared before the door can be opened. You need to leave enough space for easy use.
In terms of maintenance, bifold doors require more careful care than French doors. The guide rails and movement accessories of bifold doors must be cleaned and maintained regularly to ensure smooth operation. In contrast, swing doors require less maintenance and are less prone to sagging, whereas bi-fold doors may require readjustment by a service technician.
In addition, French doors are generally more cost-effective than bi-fold doors and are simpler and more intuitive to operate. These points mean that despite the attractive features of bi-fold doors, many customers ultimately prefer French doors.
What is the best brand of bi-fold doors?
The bi-fold door market has a number of brands that are the leaders, each of them offering something distinct to meet different requirements and wishes:
Marvin Ultimate Bi-fold Doors: Their windows may be the most expansive ones you have ever seen (reaching to 55 feet) and are made of mostly best-in-class materials while the windows also come with the typically warm-wood interiors. They are successful because they have weather resistance, they are durable, and they have configurations you can choose from that make them feasible for outdoor living.
Grandsea Doors: The company provides doors having some modern designs such as high strength, and thin-grade aluminum that compromise both durability and good looks. It is not an exaggeration to say that its slender silhouette, its uncomplicated and easy manipulation hardware, and its configuration options have all won the hearts of many modern residential designers and homeowners.
Pella Scenescape Folding Door: Pella has perfected the art of seamlessly blending elegance with high functionality in their use of fiberglass components that do not warp or crack. Pella’s energy-efficient window panes in addition to internal, built-in shades are equally relevant for medium-sized homes wanting to produce luxury and ease in their 17.
Lanai Doors: Based in California, Lanai is a company that produces folding doors. They make the kind of windows of any size and style you want. Their upper-hung systems involve Centor E3 attachment hardware and are windstorm approved. These windows are good for areas that are affected by bad weather
Each brand excels in a specific area—Marvin excels in luxury and size, Grandsea excels in modern design, and Lanai excels in custom solutions. The best choice depends on your priorities, such as beauty, durability, or budget.
Buying advice for bi-fold doors
Our customers’ experiences with bi fold doors vary widely, depending on the material the door is made of and the room it’s ultimately used in. Therefore, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of folding doors. Grandsea’s experienced experts will be happy to advise you on our innovative exterior door solutions.
Simply call us or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!
FAQ
Do bi fold doors add value to a house?
Bi-fold doors are a valuable investment that can significantly increase a home’s resale value by 5-10%. enhance the value of homes by providing a sleek, energy-efficient solution for doors, enhancing indoor-outdoor living spaces and curb appeal.
Why are bi-fold doors so expensive?
What is the labor cost to install a bifold door? The labor cost to install a bifold door in the U.S. typically ranges from $300 to $800 per unit, depending on factors such as site conditions, complexity, and the installer’s experience. For basic installations under favorable conditions, costs are on the lower end, while more complex installations or premium services can push costs higher.
How much do folding patio doors cost?
$3,000 to $15,000 – depending on the size of the folding door, the number of leafs, the material and glazing options. These are key factors in determining the price of an outdoor folding door. The installation of a folding door costs around €2,100.
Are folding patio doors worth it?
Folding patio doors offer enhanced aesthetic appeal, seamless indoor-outdoor living, maximized natural light, space-saving design, and increased property value. They blur the line between indoor and outdoor spaces, making them a worth-investment for any patio.
How wide can folding doors be produced?
Depending on the manufacturer and the folding system, some brands can manufacture folding doors up to 22 meters wide. If you would like to measure the width of your interior doors, here is a guide.
Do folding doors require special care and maintenance?
As with ordinary window or sliding door fittings, the fittings should be checked annually for wear and the surfaces and guides cleaned regularly. Depending on the requirements, it may be necessary to tighten the fixing screws and replace defective parts. We also recommend that the sliding surfaces and moving fittings be lightly lubricated with fitting grease at least once a year. Please note that the fittings should only come into contact with suitable care and cleaning products in order not to impair the fittings’ corrosion protection.
The seals of folding doors should also be treated at least once a year with a special seal care product!
Can triple glazing be installed on folding patio doors?
The folding systems produced by the leading window and door companies can be used to install double glazing and modern triple glazing. Folding doors can also be used as an alternative to the popular tilt-and-turn doors in single-family homes.
