Whether you want to replace a dated set of doors with new bifold doors or need the best configuration for a new extension, choosing from the many bifold door opening options ensures you get the best possible door for your project. Understanding the various bifold door opening options and how they work ensures your doors fit your space and lifestyle perfectly. At Aluminium Doors and Windows Ltd, we provide trade supply or supply and install bifolding doors in numerous styles and designs. Here is an explanation of the various opening options available.
Choosing the Right Bifold Door Opening Options
As well as the number of panels and how they fold, the door opening options also include whether your new doors open in or out and are intended as the primary patio doors. Inward-opening doors are ideal if you don’t have much space outside but your room is large enough to accommodate the stacked and folded door panels. You may prefer the look of the larger and wider door panels, but do consider whether you have enough space as these larger panels can be imposing.
Beyond the opening direction and folding style, you’ll also need to think about the other options available across our quality-made bifold doors range.
- Choosing the right bifold door sizes
- Your preferred RAL colour from over 150 different shades
- Deciding between double or triple glazing
- Opting for a standard or low threshold
- Selecting the handle and hardware colours, either matching or contrasting
Popular Bifold Door Configurations
Here are the popular bifold door opening options, helping you choose a bifold that will be the most versatile for your property renovation or building project.
Single and Double Doors
Creating single and double doors using bifold door profiles is possible. The advantage of this bifold door option is giving you matching doors elsewhere on your property. For example, your bifold doors may be next to a single or French door set in other rooms. Single and double doors can also match your new bifold doors in colour and even matching handles and hinges.
Two Panel Bifolding doors
Two panel doors are ideal for smaller openings and garden doors that are not usually your main access doors. Typically these doors only fold and open in one direction, to the left or to the right, together.
Three Panel folding doors
Three panels are probably the most popular within the choice of bifold door opening options. This style of door suits many standard and popular opening sizes. You can have doors folding in one direction or two panels on one side and a hinged access door on the other. The benefit of the traffic door is one door panel enabling easy entry and exit without having to fold all the panels back every time. Ideal for ventilation, taking out the washing, letting out a pet, and even getting indoors from outside.
Four Panel bifold doors
Four panels are another popular choice of bifold door opening options as these suit existing sliding door openings and new builds. Here you can have a traffic door at the end or set in and also double doors in the middle, giving the look of French doors with side panels but fully folding back when needed.
Five, six and seven panels
The larger your opening size, the more panel options are available to you and most of our bifold doors go up to five, six or seven panels. Remember that the more panels you have stacking, the more bulk you get and this should be considered when planning your space.
Fixed and Open Corner Bifold Doors
If your design is two-sided, then fixed or open corner bifold doors are an option. We can work with you to get the best design, depending on whether you have a structural fixed post or need a roof design to take the weight, allowing your doors to create a fully open design. Fixed and open corner bifold door opening options are used on new projects rather than existing openings.
Answers to popular questions about bifold door opening options
Can you change the way bifold doors open?
Once installed it is not possible to change the way bifold doors open, without significant modification to the doors. This will usually require new frame and door panel profiles.
Which way should bifold doors open?
Bifold doors can open in or out, and the best option for your property depends on your property and how much room you have inside or out to accommodate the doors when fully stacked. Most people opt for opening outward bifolds because the patio area is large enough, but inward-opening doors can also look stylish.
What are standard bifold openings?
Bifold doors are available to suit existing openings and are ideal when replacing a larger set of sliding doors or French doors with side panels. This door style is designed for new openings of virtually any size. Therefore you should be able to find a product to meet your needs. Contact us for advice.
Can bifold doors open in the middle?
Yes. Doors with a minimum of four panels can have the middle doors opening, just like a set of French doors.
Quality-made bifold doors – get a quote today.
From our new factory, we serve London, Essex, the South East and beyond. You can buy our bifolding doors supply only or take advantage of the full supply and installation service. Contact us today and discuss your project.