Do you love an open view of the outdoors and are looking for a door solution that saves space? Then a high-quality folding patio door is exactly what you need.
Once considered a niche product with limited designs, modern bifold doors have seen a radical resurgence in popularity. Thanks to innovative engineering and a wide variety of beautiful designs, the demand for these versatile exterior folding doors is soaring. The advantages are undeniable, from simplified installation to their transformative aesthetic appeal.
What are folding patio doors
Folding patio doors, often referred to as bifold doors or accordion doors, operate on a simple yet ingenious principle: they open and close by folding in on themselves. The system consists of multiple panels connected by durable hinges that glide smoothly along a track.
Where Are Folding Doors Best Utilized?
Folding patio doors are exceptionally versatile. They are particularly effective for creating wide, seamless openings between indoor and outdoor spaces like patios, balconies, and gardens.
Internally, folding doors can serve as elegant and practical room dividers. They can conceal a workspace, partition a large living area, or open up new perspectives within your home, adding a dynamic and creative element to your interior design. For interior spaces, bifold closet doors and bifold barn doors are also popular design elements.
Considerations for Folding Patio Doors
While folding patio doors offer incredible benefits, there are a few factors to consider. Historically, some designs offered less insulation than other systems, like lift-and-slide doors.
However, modern advancements have largely solved this. High-quality aluminum bifold doors from Grandsea feature thermally broken frames and advanced glazing options, providing excellent energy efficiency. Furthermore, multi-point locking systems ensure top-tier security, making them a secure and reliable choice for any exterior application.
Folding Patio Doors vs. French Doors: Which is Right for You?
The choice depends on your priorities. French doors offer a classic, timeless aesthetic. However, their opening is limited to the width of the two doors.
In contrast, folding patio doors are unmatched for creating a wide, unobstructed opening that seamlessly merges your indoor and outdoor living areas. For homeowners who want to maximize light, space, and a modern connection to their patio or garden, the expansive view of a folding patio door is the superior choice.
What is the best brand of folding 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 folding patio 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 folding patio doors a premium investment?
The cost of folding patio doors reflects their complex engineering and high-quality materials. Key factors include:
Precision Hardware: The sophisticated track and multi-panel folding mechanisms require expert engineering to operate smoothly for decades.
Premium Materials: They use large, heavy panes of high-performance glass and robust frames made of thermally broken aluminum or durable wood.
Skilled Manufacturing: The assembly requires tight tolerances to ensure a perfect seal, security, and effortless operation.
How much do folding patio doors cost?
A complete folding patio door system typically ranges from $3,000 to $15,000 or more. The final price depends on factors like size, number of panels, material (e.g., aluminum, wood), and glazing options (e.g., double or triple-pane). Professional installation costs are separate and vary by location and project complexity.
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?
es. High-performance folding patio door systems from leading manufacturers are engineered to support the weight and thickness of both double and triple glazing, allowing for superior thermal and acoustic insulation.
