Available now to order the new Regency Triple® featuring Corning® Enlighten™ Glass

Click on this banner to view their brochure

The Complete Style Guide for Bifold Doors

origin-bifolds

Bright interiors, modern accents and expansive, open rooms.

If this sounds like your dream home, it’s within reach. Bifold doors add a touch of elegance to any space, achieving all this and more at an affordable price point.

Before you get started, take a moment to read through our comprehensive guide. It covers everything you need to know to select the best bifold doors for your property. This guide is designed to help you find the perfect system that reflects your personal taste and meets your household’s practical needs.

From picking the perfect finish to choosing the right bifold door handles, let’s begin.

What is a Bifold Door?

Bi-fold doors are a versatile, space-saving solution for both interior and exterior spaces. These modern doors feature multiple glass panels that fold together in a concertina-style on a track system. This allows for a wide opening and seamless transition between two living areas. They can be configured in various ways, such as two panels folding to one side or four panels splitting in the middle, providing flexibility to suit different spaces and preferences.

For a deeper dive into the different bifold door configurations available, we recommend scanning over our detailed blog where we cover the various choices we offer our customers at Bifold Shop.

Choosing Your Bifold Door Finish

At Bifold Shop, we pride ourselves on providing high quality aluminium bifold doors, finished with a solvent-free polyester powder coating. This ensures minimal environmental impact and maximum durability.

When deciding the finish of your system, you can choose from over 150 bifold door colours. This extensive palette means you’ll have no shortage of options and can easily find a solution that aligns perfectly with your vision. Whether you’re drawn to bold, vibrant hues or prefer subtle, understated tones, our experts are available to help you select the ideal colour for your space.

kitchen-bifolds

The customisation doesn’t end with colour. You can further personalise your bifolding doors by choosing from a variety of finishes:

  • Matte – Offers a smooth, non-reflective surface for a contemporary and understated look.
  • Satin – Provides a soft sheen that strikes a balance between matte and gloss, adding a touch of elegance.
  • Gloss – Features a high shine finish that reflects light for a bright and polished appearance.

Each finish offers its own distinct look and feel, significantly impacting the overall appearance of your home.

Choosing Handles for Bifold Doors

One of the most common questions we get at our showroom in Cheltenham is about door handles for bifold doors. We offer several options, and it’s often the smaller details that make the biggest impact.

  • D  Handles – D handles are simple in their design. They’re used to make it quick and easy to open and close the bifold part of your door.
  • Lever Handles -Lever handles offer a more ergonomic grip than traditional knobs or pull internal bifold door handles. These lever-shaped handles can be pushed down or pulled up to operate the door, and are often the most popular choice in residential and commercial environments.

To discuss your bifold door handles in more detail, feel free to visit our Cheltenham showroom or get in touch with our team for more information.

Bifold Door Design Inspiration

No matter what your preferred interior design is, we can deliver a bifold door to match it. Here are a few tips on how to configure your system to match your vibe.

Contemporary Bifold Doors

Bifold doors can be key within modern designs, known for their clean, sleek profiles and minimalist finish. You can further accentuate this popular interior scheme by incorporating modern materials, such as glass and aluminium.

Key Features

  • Slimline profiles
  • Neutral colours: black, white, grey
  • Modern materials: glass, aluminium
  • Sleek, slimline handles

Best Uses: Modern bifold doors are perfect for achieving a clean, uncluttered aesthetic. They’re ideal for open-plan living spaces and home offices.

bifold-case-study

Take this bifold door installation, for example. To divide the customer’s indoor living space from the external patio, we fitted a double-glazed bifold door with an aluminium framework and bifold door blinds. These were selected in black, adding a modern design to the home that gave it a contemporary appearance.

Traditional Bifold Doors

Traditional bifold doors have a classic charm. They often feature rich finishes and intricate detailing to enhance the overall ambience of your home.

Key Features

  • Raised thresholds – great for weatherproofing!
  • Warmer colours such as browns and natural oak look (these are available with aluminium systems).
  • Brass or bronze hardware

Best Uses: Traditional bifolding doors look great in Victorian or Georgian-style homes within most living spaces, dining rooms and studies.

bifold-doors

This bifold door installation in London is a classic example of where a reliable bifold door system was used to maximise light and space in the home. You HAVE to check out the finished space.

Industrial Bifold Doors

In industrial design, bifold doors serve as a statement piece. With metal framework and exposed hardware, they capture the raw, utilitarian aesthetic.

Key Features

  • Metal framework
  • Industrial materials; glass with a black aluminium frame for a striking contrast 
  • Neutral colour pallet; grey, black, metallics

Best Uses: Industrial bifold doors complement modern loft apartments, open-plan living spaces and commercial properties.

bifolds

Using a distinct black framework, this sliding door installation in Wiltshire is one to remember. The contrast of the black aluminium against the building’s existing white walls adds a striking look and modern, industrial finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much do bifold doors cost?

    It depends on various factors, so there is no straight answer to this question, aluminium bifolding doors cost more than uPVC doors. The size of the bifold doors you install, the number of panels, the type of glazing used, whether single, double, or triple glazed, and the materials used for the frames will all dictate the cost, among other factors.

    You will want to look at styles and designs that you like and start pricing up your bi-fold doors so that you can see the cost of the various options. You can see whether you can afford triple-glazed windows and compare the cost of the aluminium, wooden, or composite bifold door frames.

    Speak to the experts at Bifold Shop and arrange a quote for your preferred aluminium bifold doors and get a cost customised to your precise requirements. You can also get answers to any questions you might have and see options you may not have considered for your home.

Practical Considerations for Your Home

Now that we’ve covered the basics of your bifold door finish, let’s dive into some practical insights from our experts to help you find and maintain your ideal system.

Measuring Your Bifold Doors

Before purchasing your bifold door, please measure your space accurately to ensure a proper fit. Start by measuring the width and height of the door opening, taking into account any trim or moulding that may impact the dimensions. Additionally, consider the clearance needed for your doors to operate without obstruction.

Professional Installation

For the best finish and long-term reliability, we recommend hiring a professional installer, such as our experienced team – you can identify the areas we cover here. While DIY installation can be cost-effective, more often than not it leads to faults that require frequent repairs. Professionals have the expertise to ensure a precise installation, saving you time and potential future expenses.

Maintenance and Care

Proper maintenance is key to ensure your bifold doors and handles remain in top condition for years to come. Regular cleaning with mild detergent and water is recommended, as well as using glass cleaner to keep your panes streak-free.

ORG3813_Sitting

You’re All Set!

By now, you should have a good idea and feel inspired about which bifold door best suits your home. From contemporary to traditional, there are numerous styles and finishes to choose from, each option with the ability to tailor to suit your personal taste.

If you need any more information, you’re always welcome to contact our team of experts for help. If, however, you’re all set and ready to build your dream house, please get in touch about your installation. We’re here to make your dream home a reality with our bespoke bifold door solutions.

G23 Awards
So Glos Awards