What is a Bifold Door?

Bifold doors are quickly becoming one of the most popular and easy-to-install home improvements on the market, but what actually is a bifold door? And what makes them such a great addition to any home?

In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know before making your purchase – from bifolding door types, benefits and their best uses.

Let’s get into it.

What is a Bifold Door?

The dictionary description for a bifold door is one that has two or more sections and opens by folding each section flat against the next. Bifold doors follow a concertina movement, folding back to one side of the doorway and opening up a wall for a large, uninterrupted doorway to the outdoors.

Our lightweight yet high strength bifold doors are made with high quality aluminium frames available in a wide number of colours and finishes. With elegant mechanisms made from a mix of solid zinc and stainless steel, these aluminium doors are durable, reliable and complement any space.

Below, you can see a recent example of how we have used our aluminium bifold doors to modernise a room and create a more open-feel transitional space:

Not only did the customer rate us 10/10 on overall quality, efficiency and likelihood to recommend us to a friend, but they also commented that the aluminium doors are “really durable and easy to clean”.

This is just one example of the many benefits of a bifold door installation, with the aluminium giving it a sleek, modern feel and certainly adding value to the house.

What are Bifold Doors Made From?

Another reason why bifold doors can suit anyone’s needs, budget or aesthetic vision is because of the range of material options available:

Aluminium Bifold Doors – The most popular choice (and for a good reason, due to their strength, slim frames and low maintenance requirements), aluminium bifold doors offer excellent durability and weather resistance, as well as providing a popular, minimalist look.
uPVC Bifold Doors – Perhaps a more budget-friendly option, uPVC bifold doors also come with great insulation and require little upkeep. Despite this, they tend to have thicker frames and therefore don’t offer the same premium aesthetic or longevity as aluminium options. This option is also heavily impacted by weather, as PVC is known to expand and contract in different conditions.
Timber – Perfect or traditional style houses, timber bifold doors offer a warm, natural feel whilst still providing good insulation. With that said, their aesthetic strengths do come at a cost, requiring regular maintenance such as painting or sealing to protect against weather damage.

At Bifold Shop, we primarily supply and install aluminium bifolding doors, due to their popular design and value for money.

How Do Bifold Doors Work?

As complex as they seem, bifold doors work very simply:

After unlocking the doors, push the panels sideways and as they are guided by the top and/or bottom tracks, they fold neatly together concertina-style, stacked neatly at the end of the track. Then, when you’re ready to shut them, just pull them back in the opposite direction, and they will straighten out, connecting to form a flat door front ready for you to lock and enjoy the view.

It’s really that easy!

What are the Different Types of Bifold Doors?

Whether you want to connect your interior and exterior space, create flexible indoor living areas or if you’re a business looking for commercial bifolding doors, it doesn’t matter what your requirement is. There’s a bifold door for everyone.

At Bifold Shop, we’re aluminium specialists, offering our customers the best value and performance for their money. We offer flexibility around panel count and bifold door configurations (more on this later), as well as a number of other practical and design choices such as frame thickness and colour. The versatility of the bifold doors that we offer allows you to find something to meet your unique spatial and aesthetic needs.

You can find more options in our complete bifold door style guide.

Bifold Door Configuration Options

Bifold doors come in various configurations to suit your unique opening sizes and needs. Most commonly, panel options include 2-panel, 3-panel and 4-panel doors, however, sometimes larger sets are also available to suit wider openings.

The number of panels can affect how the doors fold and open, as well as how they fit within a space when opened. Larger configurations create wider, more seamless opening, however, they may require stronger supports and different hardware.

If you have any queries as to which panel number or configuration would be appropriate for your space, just get in touch and our expert team will be happy to guide you.

What are the Benefits of Installing Bifold Doors?

More and more home and business owners are choosing bifold doors as a stylish and practical way to improve any space. Whether you’re renovating, building an extension or just want to elevate one of your rooms, they can provide numerous benefits:

Maximise Natural Light – Bifold doors reduce the need for artificial lighting by allowing maximum natural light into your space, helping to save on energy costs. Super slim aluminium frames are available for maximum light flow and uninterrupted views.
Create Transitional Spaces – They offer a seamless connection between rooms or between indoor and outdoor areas – perfect for summer entertaining and al fresco dining.
Space-Saving Design – The panels fold neatly and take up minimal space when opened. Choosing bifolds over traditional patio doors allows for better furniture placement inside or more usable space outside, depending on your opening direction.
Modern Design – Slim frames and clean lines deliver a sleek, contemporary look that complements both traditional and modern interiors.
Versatile System – Bifold doors come in a variety of sizes, shapes and configurations, with options to suit any style of home. You can choose from a wide range of panel numbers, fits and finishes.
High-Quality Aluminium Frames – All our doors are constructed from durable aluminium, available in a wide selection of colours to perfectly complement your home.
Easy Operation & Accessibility – Opening is smooth and simple, and low threshold options offer easier wheelchair access and an even larger opening space.
Good Security – Each bifold door features security options such as toughened glazing, multi-point locking mechanisms on main doors and shoot-bolt locks on folding doors for added peace of mind.
Thermal Efficiency – Our bifold doors are designed to be thermally efficient, helping you stay warm during the colder months and keeping thermal gain to a minimum during the hotter ones – all without compromising on style.
Quick Installation – Despite their impressive functionality, bifold doors are quick and straightforward to install. Check out our handy bifold door installation guide for more details.

Bifold Doors from Bifold Shop

Choosing to purchase your new bifold doors from Bifold Shop means you will have the peace of mind that you are getting the highest quality doors at competitive prices. With a 10 year warranty on installation frames and glass, you can rest assured that our products are robust and built to withstand the test of time.

We’re able to offer fast delivery and offer both supply and install and supply only options. If you are interested in installing bifold doors in your home, then check out our quick and easy instant quote calculator tool.