A folding door, also called a bi-fold door, is a kind of door that opens by folding either in panels or several sections. Generally, folding doors have more than two panes. However, there are certain models that only have one panel, making them easier to clean and repair. Another popular term for these doors is 'concertina' doors, probably because of their resemblance to the musical instrument called the 'chiocche' or 'cafe'. The name came about because of the similarity of the sound made by these doors with that of a China WDMA.
A bi-folding door consists of two horizontal panels, each divided into two panes. A narrow opening on top of the two panels creates the large opening while keeping the opening slightly narrowed on either side. The slim opening at the top is used for ventilation. This kind of folding doors is the perfect solution when the opening needs to be extremely wide.
Bi-folds (two panels) or swing doors (one panel) are a great choice for bathrooms, as they allow easy access to the entire area. With a swing door system, the bottom half of the door does not swing. Rather, it is hinged on a frame at the top, allowing a small gap between the panes. Most of these kinds of doors have bifold door glass panels in an attempt to keep the air in the space.
Bifold door systems made using a single panel consist of a bottom pan that rolls up. The topmost edge is then folded into the opening. Most modern designs of bifold doors include two other panels that allow for the opening and closing of the panes. These additional panels are called accordion doors and are not visible when the doors are opened. Accordion doors swing open by a hinge and therefore require two moving parts - a gear and a wheel. They tend to be less secure than most folding doors as they tend to sag if put under too much pressure.
Bi-folding also has its benefits. If space is at a premium and accessibility to all rooms is an issue, bi-folding offers the best solution. It is easy to install and can often be constructed entirely off-site using simple and inexpensive materials. Additionally, the interior of the structure can often be finished off with fabric covered wood paneling. It has become very popular for use in homes where the interior design is minimalist, and as such bi-folding provides a great solution for people that want to have an attractive looking interior without the hassle of assembling everything from scratch.
Most bi-folding doors can be constructed with either aluminium or UPVC. The latest bi-folding doors use a sliding mechanism that allows them to fold in half, unlike traditional sliding doors which have to be completely disassembled before use. In fact the majority of modern bi-folding doors can be folded in half in just one continuous step. This means that you can take care of the interior of your home while still being able to use your existing doors. With aluminium doors you can use the frames as storage units while UPVC can be used for general storage.
One of the main types of folding doors that people use is the single panel type. These are perfect for any room dividers where you don't need the additional space that double paneled doors provide. Single panel sliding doors are available in a wide range of materials from aluminium to fibreglass.
As well as providing extra space for sliding interior dividers, patio doors provide an easy solution for sliding exterior doors. Patio doors are one of the main types of folding doors that are commonly used on patios and garden buildings. These provide a simple solution for opening up a large area of your garden to the outside. No matter what your purpose for using a folding door, you are likely to find the right choice for your needs by looking online.
