All You Need To Know Bifold Doors

Blur the boundaries between indoors and out with folding designs that stack neatly out of the way when open

- Tara King

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BIFOLDS AND SLIDING DOORS?

Bifold doors are made up of a set of glass panels that concertina neatly together, allowing you to fully open one side of a property for a seamless transition between indoors and out. The compromise comes when the doors are closed. ‘There’s significantly more frame on show when compared to the large expanses of glass that can be achieved with sliding doors, which is worth considering if you want unhindered views,’ says designer David Conlon, founder of En Masse Bespoke Interiors.

WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS FOR OPENING AND CLOSING?

The beauty of bifold doors is that you can tailor the set-up to best suit your space. Slide them from the centre of the wall, from one or both ends, or even create a fully opening corner. We suggest fitting them to open outwards so they don’t encroach on internal space. It’s also possible to fit a single ‘traffic’ door, which can be used on its own – handy for everyday access.

HOW MANY PANELS WILL I NEED?

The number of door panels you require will depend on the width of each one individually (the maximum is around 1m), but it’s best to go for as few as possible to minimise the amount of frame on show. Odd numbers look best; three or five are the most popular formations.

ARE THERE ANY HEIGHT LIMITS?

Manufacturers will advise the individual height their systems are able to achieve. The maximum height is usually 2.4m, although some companies offer taller systems with a higher spec on the running and hinge mechanisms.

WHAT MATERIALS CAN I CHOOSE FROM?