If you are searching for a practical and fashionable way to add space and light to your living space without remodeling your home, the introduction of bi-fold doors to your house will prove to be a great deal than a casual improvement.
Bi-fold doors are available for the interior or exterior of your home. They’re popular because they let an abundance of natural light into the home, and can even help you reduce your energy bills.
Bi-fold doors are the ideal solution if space is at a premium in your home as the design of the bi-fold saves on the space needed for a door to swing open.
Before we look at the advantages and drawbacks of bi-fold doors, let us discuss a little bit about them.
what are bi-fold doors and how do they work?
The bi-fold door is also known as room dividers and folding sliding doors, bi-fold doors are called so since they can fold in or out to create an opening. Additionally, they include a traffic door for easier and faster access.
These structures constitute oversized glass panels that allow plenty of light inside your home. While the door itself slides open, the panels neatly fold up and stack against the wall to make room for entrance.
The best part is that you can install these doors both at internal and external locations. Inside homes and commercial buildings, bi-fold doors are often found in smaller spaces like bathrooms, laundry room, storeroom, kitchen door, and wardrobes.
In contrast, exterior bifold doors are designed to create a visual and physical link to the outdoor landscape. So, the latter is usually installed on the rear side of homes that lead to the garden, backyard, balcony, or pool.
These intricate structures are available in a variety of build materials, including wood, and aluminium. Furthermore, you can select from a wide range of color and size options as per your requirements and budget.
How do they work?
Bi-fold doors work by using a tracking system along with the panels that are connected on a train. As the doors fold in on themselves, they glide along with the tracking system with the support of a lower tracking system or a series of wheels. This means they’re smooth and quiet to operate.
Bi-folds come in a range of designs, so you can use them in indoor-to-outdoor exit points or as interior doorways. You can have bi-fold doors that are glazed with large glass panels to let the light in, or have your bi-folds in solid materials like wood for privacy. There are many reasons why bi-fold doors are an ideal home improvement solution but here are just some of the fantastic benefits.
Easy to install
Of course, bi-fold doors do not only offer compactness but also practicality. You can easily install a bi-fold door in a small opening or even replace an entire wall.
Flood your home with natural light
Whether open or closed, bi-fold doors allow maximum sunlight into your home turning a normally dark room into a space full of zest and life where you want to spend more time.
Take up little space
When bi-fold doors are open they take up very little space meaning they cause virtually no disturbance to your home’s natural flow.
They are Versatile
Yet another advantage, the versatility makes this type of door suitable for both contemporary and traditional homes. In fact, the bi-fold structure allows you to choose from a wide range of styles, configurations, and designs no matter how your home looks.
They are Stylish
In addition, the range of materials that can be used can also impact the style of your home. Generally, aluminium is considered a common choice for bi-fold doors because of its strength and lightweight structure.
It’s also easier to maintain and has a longer lifespan. However, you can always turn to timber frames if you’re into the good old traditional style.
Flexibility
A set of bi-fold doors allows you to open them to any width within the frame and customize where the leaves split. The way they can open into or out of a room and fold to the left or right means that when you compare them to a normal or sliding door, they are far more flexible.
Security
A greater level of security is offered with bi-fold doors as they feature multi-point locking systems, internally beaded frames and high-security hinges. hereas other types of glass door tend to have just one locking point.
Low maintenance
Like most other windows and glass doors, they require cleaning regularly with detergent to ensure they stay looking spotless. But as they don’t have multiple panes or frames they’re generally easier to clean than most. Other than that you can just sit back and enjoy them.
Disadvantages of bi-fold door
Even though most bi-fold door manufacturers declare that this type of door is flawless. However, some feasible drawbacks are taken into consideration.
Threshold
Although the lack of a raised threshold is a positive in terms of safety, it can present a problem if not installed correctly. With no barrier between the indoors and outside ground, water on the ground could be blown/swept into the home, but this can be prevented by introducing a drainage system and/or creating a slight slope away from the doors.
Door stacking
If the bi-folds concertina into the home then they will fold and stack inside. This could be intrusive if you have limited indoor space so be sure to ask your installer for their advice.
Frames take up too much space
Each folding pane of glass has its own frame which, when closed, can mean a slightly obstructed view. You can minimize this by making the frames as slender as possible.
Cost
Unfortunately, bi-fold doors are not that low cost. Usually, it’s all because of the big installations which require a large amount of glass and framing. What’s more, lots of installations need bespoke designs and it’s good to know that the type of glass and finish will all affect the home’s price.
Final word
To conclude, bi-fold doors are a commodity that is bound to emerge as greater and extra popular with time. The versatility in phrases of materials makes such doors accessible for any budget. Anyone can install bi-folds in their hdb, condo, or period house. The laminate door is the leading door specialist in Singapore. We offer a variety of doors, such as fire-rated doors, HDB doors, room doors, and condo/landed main doors.
