A bifold door is a type of door that opens into sections or panels by folding backward. These falt doors have more than two panels, and are known as "bi-fold doors." Another old term is perhaps 'concertina' doors, inspired by the same name as the musical instrument. The Romans have already known historically folding doors as excavations revealed in Pompeii. Romans didn't like single-leaf doors and used double or even folding doors as much as possible for inside and outside.
Today, bifold doors create an unbelievable open space and a clear view of the garden and outside. They leave a light-filled wall and an incredible sense of spaciousness when closed. In contrast to sliding, only half-open courtyard door, bifold doors are open, folding to your left or right to combine your house with your garden. Typically, bifold doors consist of between two and seven panels and always have a 'primary' or 'traffic' door openable on its own for full flexibility.
The most commonly bifold doors are made of aluminium bifold doors, because it is safe and allows to create thin profiles to improve doors' minimalist appearance, without compromising on security. In view of physical attacks, aluminium bifold doors are robust enough to be extremely safe, making it the ideal solution for your home. They are all equipped with high safety locking systems for an additional safety layer, with standard shooting bolts and other top-quality safety features.
Transform your house
Bifold door designs can make a renovation of a house and can transform it incredibly. Bi-folding doors are available in a wide variety of customized and customizable designs to create a link between the inside and out, as part of an open plan kitchen or dining area. Those with a patio or a deck will love to have two doors in the outdoor restaurant design, so they can see their garden even if you are not used to. Here is how bi-folding doors can transform your house:
  • The first candidates to hold bifold doors are orangeries and conservatories. These rooms should be as transparent as possible to visually bring the garden inside. An elegant graphical dimension can be added into a room by adding some very interesting to a aluminium bifold doors in this area.
  • When it comes to maximizing space and creating a smooth connection between the living room and indoors and outdoors, bifold doors are your best bet.
  • Are you facing a small walled patio or garden in the dark kitchen? The installation of bifold doors can maximize natural light and space. For a delicate and weightless look, choose a white or ivory painted design. A kitchen dinner facing the garden will look stunning throughout with bifold doors. Not only stylish but also useful when it's in a corner to illuminate the kitchen.
  • It's important that you get your door right if you like your interior to be serene and streamlined. Avoid an overstretched design in a modern home, choose a simple contrasting structure instead.
  • Space and light-enhancing properties of bi-fold doors will also look amazing on a terrace or a small balcony. Your outside space won't feel so small when your doors will open as folding.
  • Bifold doors will give look of ultra-style in a large house in ultra- contemporary design. Turn an entire wall into a bifold door, to creating an open-plan look.
  • Do you plan to extend an orangery or a conservatory? A traditional bifold design will work well and will open the room on warmer days to the garden.
  • Extraordinary shaped rooms can adjust the combination of bifold and sliding doors due to their flexible approach. The bifold doors will help homes with difficult or narrower access to a small rear garden.
  • With a multi-point lock, counter drill cylinder, and inner beading, bi-folding doors offer a high level of safety and energy efficiency. Bifold doors are a wonderful way to give this wow factor to your home.
  • The installation of bifold doors will change the use of the room and the position of the furniture. If you want your furniture placed around the bifold doors, you have to decide whether to have your dining table in front of it or you would leave the space totally open. Remember that you have to let space go when your doors are fully open if you choose a configuration in which the doors are folded in.
Reposition the furniture
There are several features, probably due to the changes you make to the layout, that need to be repositioned:
  • Skirting boards
  • Ventilation system and fans
  • Light switches
  • Fires and radiators
  • Power sockets
  • Light fixtures
Consider the above points to reposition at the design stage and talk to your designer, architect or electrician for their advice when you don't know where to position any of these elements.

Consult before installation
You are not likely to need permission to plan but you will need approval from the Building Regulations If you are planning to install bi-fold doors. A structural engineer can advise whether and how to install this. It is advisable to consult with a design engineer or construction surveyor before the project begins. He or she will evaluate the walls of the building and advice on the support structures to be implemented. Stud walls can carry loads and solid walls don't always carry loads, so your old trick won't tell you a lot. Therefore, before altering your home structure, advice from an expert is always best as it saves time and expenses in the long term.