A Beginner’s Guide to Bifold Door Configurations

Bifold doors are an incredibly popular choice for modern homes, commercial spaces and period properties due to the wide range of benefits they have to offer. If you’ve been considering it might be time to upgrade your own space, you’re in the right place.

In this comprehensive guide, you have access to all the different bifold door configurations available. This article is here to help you determine the best system that completes your interior vision and supports how you and your family live.

A Brief Introduction to Bifold Doors

A bifolding door is made from multiple glass panels that fold back in on themselves, creating a wide opening. Unlike traditional doors that swing open, this system slides along a track to maximise space and add modern detailing to the home.

At Bifold Shop, we offer a wide range of bifold door configurations. This includes a variety of systems, with systems from leading manufacturers such as Smarts and Origin.

Types of Bifold Door Configurations

The variety of bifold doors we offer is endless. You can customise your system in many ways, including through the number of glazed panels it features, corner bifold doors, the door type, thresholds, sizes, colours, handles and accessories, as well as bespoke options. If that sounds like a lot, don’t worry. We’ll cover each option in this comprehensive guide.

Bifold Door Panel Options

A prominent configuration that needs consideration is the number of panels you have. This will depend on the size of your house, plus any design preferences you may have.

2 Panel Bifold Doors

A 2 panel bifold door is best suited for homes and properties where space is limited. They’re a simple but sophisticated system that creates a smaller opening.

3 Panel Bifold Doors

Perfect for medium-sized openings, a 3 panel bifold door can offer even more light into a space. The flexible system is a great way to create a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces in your living area.

4 Panel Bifold Doors

Built with an additional panel, we recommend a 4 panel bifold door if you’re looking to create a medium sized opening. This system offers a wider entrance and expansive views.

5 Panel Bifold Doors

Offering even more versatility, a 5 panel bifold door is ideal for expansive openings or if you want to create a room with a panoramic view. Once installed, they create a stunning visual impact.

6 Panel Bifold Doors

For ultimate flexibility, our 6 panel bifold door options are perfect. As you can imagine, they create a wide opening to optimise your home and welcome natural light inside.

7 Panel Bifold Doors

Finally, we have a 7 panel bifold door. This system transforms any space into a modern masterpiece, providing maximum light and panoramic views.

If you have a more bespoke project, we can increase the panels in your system. Please get in touch with our team to discuss your options further.

Profiles

Your bifold door can come in a wide range of profiles. This includes standard aluminium, slimline aluminium and extra slimline aluminium profiles, each creating a distinct look and impacting the level of light that flows into your space.

Made-to-Measure Bifold Doors and Sizing Options

Along with the panel size, bifold doors come in a variety of sizes. Whilst we offer complete flexibility, in general, the minimum width for small bifold doors is around 700mm, whereas the maximum is 1.2m. Whether you have a project big or small, our made-to-measure bifold doors are flexible to suit your requirements.

Door Functioning

Another configuration to consider is how you want your bifolding door to function. We offer the following options:

Outward/Inward Opening – Your bifold door can open inwards or outwards, depending on your requirements. This will often be determined by your available space to ensure it’s maximised to the best of its ability.
Single Doors – This type of door is a classic, popular for the simplicity of its design.
French Doors – If you’re looking to add sophistication, consider a French bifold door. This system is available with a maximum frame width of 2400mm.
Corner Folding Doors – This system is combined with a corner post or fixed screen to create a corner configuration. This is suitable for tricky installations or for creating the ultimate design feature.

For more information about your internal bifolding doors and the configurations available, we recommend reading this article.

Thresholds

Your bifold’s threshold is the bottom part of the door frame, where your door panels meet the ground when your doors are closed. You may not have considered it, but there are a few options to consider for this system:

Weathered Threshold – As the name may suggest, a weathered threshold is designed to provide protection against elements such as rain and wind. This option typically has a raised lip or ridge that extends slightly above floor level, creating a seal when your bifold doors are closed. It’s this lip that keeps your home watertight and prevents water from coming in.
Non-Weathered Threshold – Also known as a low-threshold or flush threshold, this system has a smoother surface that’s level with the floor. This design creates an accessible entrance, making it easy for people to move between indoor and outdoor areas.

Bifold Door Colours

We can install bifold doors in over 150 colours, with options to suit your interior vision. For more information on this, we highly recommend you read our latest blog. We can also provide “dual coloured” bifold door frames (inside and out), to create a really unique space.

Handles and Accessories

For the finishing touches, you’ll need to decide on the perfect bifold door handle to suit your system. We offer a wide range of stainless steel options, as well as aluminium, plus a range of deluxe handles in a variety of colours.

Each is also available with popular locking mechanisms, including standard and barrel options.

Tips for Choosing Your Bifold Door Configuration

Now you know the various types of bifold door configurations available, you might be wondering how you possibly decide. Our experts have collated their design considerations to help you determine the best system for your home.

Evaluate your building size and layout – The size and layout of your house will not only determine the location of your bifold doors, but also help you decide how many panels are needed. It may also help you factor in the way you want your door to open depending on the available space, whether that’s best inwards or outwards.
Match your existing interiors – A great way to easily determine the best bifolding doors for your house is to consider your existing features. If your windows, for example, have a black, slimline frame, you may want to match this with your bifold doors for a cohesive look.

Consider personal preferences – Of course, your personal preferences and lifestyle needs should be considered. If you want to maximise natural light in your home, you may want to consider slimline profiles or more glass panels. Someone in your household may also have accessibility requirements that will determine the type of threshold you need.
Consult with professionals – Please don’t hesitate to ask our team of experts for more advice or guidance. Our team have years of experience to offer valuable insights and recommendations, completely free.

Get a Quote

At Bifold Shop, our range of systems offers endless possibilities to enhance your home. With a wide range of panel options, sizes, colours, handles and accessories to choose from, we can help you install a system that perfectly fits your needs and reflects your personal style. Get a quote for your installation today.