New bi fold doors open up your home to the outside world and create truly breathtaking spaces. They have made indoor-outdoor living a reality for many homeowners. However, choosing the right bi fold doors takes a lot of consideration as you need to find a door system that is secure, highly efficient and attractively designed.
The main thing that you need to consider when choosing new bifold doors is the material from which they are made. Each type of material has different properties that may affect their cost, installation methods, thermal efficiency and maintenance requirements.
Wooden bifold doors, for example, have a rich, warm aesthetic that fits with most interior design schemes. They’re also sturdy and are available in a wide variety of finishes, making them suitable for a diverse range of home styles. They’re a great choice for laundry nooks, closets and pantries in addition to being used as an entrance way to garden spaces.
Aluminium is another popular material for bifold doors, especially in the modern style. It’s durable and can be painted in a wide array of colours, including dual colour options and wood effect finishes. It’s also energy efficient, with a low U-value and great thermal performance. Aluminium also offers a contemporary look that complements most architectural styles, particularly with the option to have the frames and glass flush with each other.
While the benefits of installing bifold doors are clear, it isn’t an easy project for most people. It’s best to enlist the help of an experienced contractor to make sure you get it right. Checking the manufacturer’s guidelines and asking for lists of installers who have taken their product installation workshops are both good ways to find someone.
If your home has an irregularly shaped space or your existing doors aren’t the right size, you might need to make some modifications before installing your new bifold doors. This can include re-working the opening to accommodate the doors, re-working the sill or replacing the threshold.
One of the biggest challenges with installing new bifold doors is getting the alignment right. The doors need to line up and sit flush when they’re closed, and it’s important to ensure that the hinges, track and pivot points are aligned correctly so that they slide smoothly and shut properly.
The key to doing this is to install a’master door’ – usually a single panel side-hung on the ground track – that gives you access to your home without opening the entire set of bifold doors. The master door will be fitted with a ‘door guide’, which is a metal tab that snaps into place when the doors are brought together and holds them securely in position. This is designed to prevent the doors from coming loose in transit, and is often a requirement for homes with children or elderly users. It is also a good idea to install a multi-point lock on the master door for added security. new bi fold doors