What Is A Bi Fold Door?
Essentially, it is a somewhat misused piece of trade jargon that should possibly be replaced with the more generalised term – “folding doors”. It is used to describe any door system where the door is in more than one piece and the pieces are hinged together in such a way that they can be folded over each other in a concertina like manner.
Isn’t That A Bit Like Sliding Doors?
In so much as their use enables a wide space to be covered with a door they do serve a similar purpose. The main difference is that; with sliding doors; when opened, the main width of each portion is still obstructing the doorway space. Because bi-fold doors close up upon each section; the whole arrangement occupies less space at the sides when fully opened.
This can be advantageous for both internal and exterior doors. With places like closets and shower cubicles, wider access space is always going to be appreciated and; if this can be achieved with minimal intrusion to the area beyond the door, so much the better.
For very wide doors – such as those giving access to a patio – maybe the space saving aspects of bi-fold doors are not quite so important; but, many people feel that this type has greater aesthetic appeal than its alternatives. They certainly give the interface between the inside and the exterior a much more wide open look.
System Flexibility
With any bi-fold door system, two or more doors fold over each other when the door system is opened (rollers are used as an aid to easy opening). However, the system is such that you have the flexibility of choice as to how many individual door partitions to fold over each other. The number of door sections is a function of the width of the doorway space; but, you do not have to have them all rolling in the same direction and finishing folded up on the same side.
They can be parted in the center to open towards either side; or, the whole opening may be split into portions for greater flexibility on the distance to have open (or closed). The concept is not all that new but its application to domestic homes is sufficiently recent to make it appear somewhat extraordinary.
