Is it Over for Bifold Doors?
Do bifold doors justify their popularity, or should we be choosing a different way to open up an interior to the garden?
Sarah Warwick
14 December 2017
Houzz Contributor. I'm a freelance journalist and editor writing for nationals, magazines and websites. A serial house revamper, I love great design, beautiful interiors and practical solutions.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a freelance journalist and editor writing for nationals, magazines... More
Think rear extension, or boosting the house-to-garden connection, and a wall of folding doors pretty much pops into your brain unbidden, but should we be considering other solutions? Read on to assess the arguments for and against opting for bifolds.
Could one of these solutions take the place of bifold doors?
The alternative: Black steel-framed doors
Why they’re a contender: They’re good-lookers
Steel-framed doors may have seen their heyday in the 1920s and 1930s, but they have a strongly contemporary appeal. Pick them and your garden doors will be a feature in themselves, not just a way to open out a space. Complement their sharp lines with streamlined kitchen cabinetry and modern furnishings, or use them alongside industrial-style features and furniture.
To see more from any of the designers whose photos are featured in this article, click on the image (then on Learn More if you’re in the app) and follow the links to the professional’s profile.
The alternative: Black steel-framed doors
Why they’re a contender: They’re good-lookers
Steel-framed doors may have seen their heyday in the 1920s and 1930s, but they have a strongly contemporary appeal. Pick them and your garden doors will be a feature in themselves, not just a way to open out a space. Complement their sharp lines with streamlined kitchen cabinetry and modern furnishings, or use them alongside industrial-style features and furniture.
To see more from any of the designers whose photos are featured in this article, click on the image (then on Learn More if you’re in the app) and follow the links to the professional’s profile.
The alternative: Sliding doors
Why they’re a contender: They’re super-slick
If seeing the garden from indoors is top of your list of priorities, the wide expanse of glazing and slim frame of a quality sliding door might be the answer. Here, two sets of sliding doors open this zinc-finished extension to the terrace and pond.
Why they’re a contender: They’re super-slick
If seeing the garden from indoors is top of your list of priorities, the wide expanse of glazing and slim frame of a quality sliding door might be the answer. Here, two sets of sliding doors open this zinc-finished extension to the terrace and pond.
Sliding doors will work beautifully on one wall, too, of course. These are tidily on one side when open and a minimal presence when closed.
You might also like 11 of the Best-dressed Patio Doors on Houzz
You might also like 11 of the Best-dressed Patio Doors on Houzz
The alternative: Pivoting doors
Why they’re a contender: A hinge-free outlook
A pivoting door turns through 90 degrees to open the inside to the exterior, creating views as well as a pleasant flow of air through the openings. They have slim frames, so once again you’re maximally connected to the garden even when they’re closed.
Why they’re a contender: A hinge-free outlook
A pivoting door turns through 90 degrees to open the inside to the exterior, creating views as well as a pleasant flow of air through the openings. They have slim frames, so once again you’re maximally connected to the garden even when they’re closed.
Pivot doors work across both conventional surroundings and larger openings, such as this double-height space.
The alternative: French windows
Why they’re a contender: They’re a classic
Bifold door fans who worry they won’t often open the doors fully might want to reacquaint themselves with the benefits of French windows. Modern framing materials mean they’re not just the traditional solution any more, and access to the garden, light and air are all delivered, but with the option of having a little more privacy than with a wall of glazing.
You might also like How Stylish French Windows Can Add Light and Character
Why they’re a contender: They’re a classic
Bifold door fans who worry they won’t often open the doors fully might want to reacquaint themselves with the benefits of French windows. Modern framing materials mean they’re not just the traditional solution any more, and access to the garden, light and air are all delivered, but with the option of having a little more privacy than with a wall of glazing.
You might also like How Stylish French Windows Can Add Light and Character
The alternative: A glass wall
Why it’s a contender: It’ll maximise your views
If bifold doors appeal because appreciating your home’s surroundings and boosting light are the goals, perhaps a glass wall is, in fact, what you’re after? Here, frameless panels of glass are joined together with structural-grade silicone to create a frameless glass wall.
With as little a barrier as possible between the inside and out, this room has been simply furnished, with all the visual detail supplied by the amazing landscape.
Why it’s a contender: It’ll maximise your views
If bifold doors appeal because appreciating your home’s surroundings and boosting light are the goals, perhaps a glass wall is, in fact, what you’re after? Here, frameless panels of glass are joined together with structural-grade silicone to create a frameless glass wall.
With as little a barrier as possible between the inside and out, this room has been simply furnished, with all the visual detail supplied by the amazing landscape.
So, is it truly over for bifold doors?
The alternatives are full of merit, but should we bid farewell to bifolds? What do you reckon to these 5 reasons for selecting them after all?
1. They make indoors and out seamless
If you want more space, what better way to create it than with an entire wall that opens up, so house and terrace are a continuous area?
Here, the indoor/outdoor line is blurred further by the use of the same or very similar floor tiles in both spaces. Like the idea? Check with your tile supplier that your selection will stand up to garden temperatures and won’t become slippery in wet weather.
The alternatives are full of merit, but should we bid farewell to bifolds? What do you reckon to these 5 reasons for selecting them after all?
1. They make indoors and out seamless
If you want more space, what better way to create it than with an entire wall that opens up, so house and terrace are a continuous area?
Here, the indoor/outdoor line is blurred further by the use of the same or very similar floor tiles in both spaces. Like the idea? Check with your tile supplier that your selection will stand up to garden temperatures and won’t become slippery in wet weather.
2. They get out of the way
Stacked to one side, bifold door panels are tidy once they’re open, so there’s nothing at all between you and the garden.
To repeat the success of this design, consider frame size – a bulky frame wouldn’t stack so neatly. Think about the panel sizes that will span the opening, too, as narrower panels equal more to stack.
Stacked to one side, bifold door panels are tidy once they’re open, so there’s nothing at all between you and the garden.
To repeat the success of this design, consider frame size – a bulky frame wouldn’t stack so neatly. Think about the panel sizes that will span the opening, too, as narrower panels equal more to stack.
3. They can open out a corner
It’s true that bifolds aren’t the only way to pull off this trick, but, as this extension shows, they’re an effective way to fully open two whole sides of a room. The track for the doors is flush to the floor here, too, meaning inside and out are one when the bifolds are open.
It’s worth bearing in mind that if bifolds are in an exposed position, a completely flat threshold may not be weatherproof, but the upstand you’d then require need only be small to do its job.
It’s true that bifolds aren’t the only way to pull off this trick, but, as this extension shows, they’re an effective way to fully open two whole sides of a room. The track for the doors is flush to the floor here, too, meaning inside and out are one when the bifolds are open.
It’s worth bearing in mind that if bifolds are in an exposed position, a completely flat threshold may not be weatherproof, but the upstand you’d then require need only be small to do its job.
4. They can be repeated inside
The bifold doors to the garden are echoed by internal bifolds in this home. It’s a clever way to frame the views – from one room to the other and to the garden – and makes the interior feel harmonious. It’s also a reminder that interior bifolds are handy for sub-dividing a room without losing openness, especially when the opening is large, as here.
You might also like What’s the Best Way to Open Up Your Kitchen Extension?
The bifold doors to the garden are echoed by internal bifolds in this home. It’s a clever way to frame the views – from one room to the other and to the garden – and makes the interior feel harmonious. It’s also a reminder that interior bifolds are handy for sub-dividing a room without losing openness, especially when the opening is large, as here.
You might also like What’s the Best Way to Open Up Your Kitchen Extension?
5. They can be great value
Let’s not forget that bifolds equal a lot of glazing at a pretty good price compared to some of the other options. Where homes used to turn their backs to the garden, and access might be via a single door, they’ve brought us the opportunity to make more of indoor and outdoor space, even with extensions of quite modest proportions.
Tell us…
Have bifold doors had their day? Or are they a brilliant solution for 21st century living? Share your opinions in the Comments section.
Let’s not forget that bifolds equal a lot of glazing at a pretty good price compared to some of the other options. Where homes used to turn their backs to the garden, and access might be via a single door, they’ve brought us the opportunity to make more of indoor and outdoor space, even with extensions of quite modest proportions.
Tell us…
Have bifold doors had their day? Or are they a brilliant solution for 21st century living? Share your opinions in the Comments section.
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I have stacking sliding doors which mean they don't intrude into the decking area and I can have a fly screen door as well. I love them.
One of my favourite articles in a while! Loving all the different options!!
Opening up the back of a house means that your neighbours are nearer to you and your business, than the back of your garden ! It’s quite a selfish, inconsiderate choice.