A very wide doorway or entry, and less space in front of the door can be a problem. If the door has two big door panels on either side or just one single door hinged at one side, then it would be so big and wide that the little space in front would not be able to accommodate. Most likely the door would be handing outside when open, or get obstruction while opening, and may pose a risk for passerby.
Again, if the door is made to slide as it happens in sliding doors, then also the door will not open fully, and half of the entryway would be blocked and unutilized. Both ways are a problem, either resulting in non-utilization or overutilization of space. But there is smart engineering to rule out the problems and find great comfort in the door. It’s through the use of bifold doors.
What are bifold doors?
Bifold means a fold on the door which bifurcates the door body into two panels or panes. This simply means double door panels attached by hinges to keep them together. When it’s open then the door panels are in contact with each other and the hinges are closed. When this door is closed, the hinges are open fully and the two-door panels are arranged side by side making for one collective big door.
It’s the special design of the bifold door, which makes it a great utility for big door entry or exit. Spaces, which need a very big door to close the entry, and yet have less open space before and after the door frame to accommodate the opening of a wide door panel, really can get the solution in the form of bifold doors.
How can bifold doors reduce space?
Space reduction is the fundamental reason to use a bifold door. The door panels fold at hinges to collide together like a closed book. You feel like closing an open book to shrink the size. And when you simply push this door against the wall, you get a really nice unobstructed entry or exit, and lots of open air space to make the place comfortable and breathable. Many shop fronts use bifold or trifold doors just for these reasons. In fact, you can add multiple folds to a door as hinges keep on connecting panels. This saves space on the front and back of the door frame, thus making it easier for shops and showrooms to give a free open passage to the customers.
Not only commercial spaces are taking advantage of bifold doors, but many houses also use such doors to add to space thoughtfully and mineralize complications. Patios that are surrounded by full or half-height walls or structures can have such wide doorways that look sorted, clean, and manageable with bifold or trifold doors. Also, doors over verandahs look good in this way. Such doors are used mainly in garages where you are not using any electric or roller shutter. There are many garages using folded doors, and small entryways for small vehicles can be managed well with bi-fold doors on either side of the entryway.
Types of bifold doors
Several types of bifold doors are available in different materials. Metal doors in steel, aluminum, perforated metal sheets, etc. are possible. Again, timber doors are also possible. Plywood, engineered wood, and laminate doors are possible too. Moreover, you can get glass doors with metal siding, or full glass doors in this design. The choice should be yours as per budget, and property’s aesthetic theme.
Author: Lara Buck
