Doors make for the most important elements in the house. They offer security, safety and of course, privacy! While doors are inevitable to your house, they don’t come in a one-size-fits-all! Especially, if you live in narrow spaces or extra-large homes with wide entrances, Folding door designs outsmart the standard doors. They are flexible, innovative and stylish – just want your dream home needs!
As the name suggests, folding doors are foldable designs with a series of movable panels. They are an extended version of sliding doors, which work wonderfully for interiors and exteriors. This article serves as your guide to understanding the importance of foldable door design, types and buying tips. All this, plus 10 latest designs! Scroll down to read more!
What Is a Bifold Door?
A folding door is a design of precision and advanced engineering, where panels of doors are put together to fold and open. They are also bi-fold doors or Bi-Folding doors, even though the number of panels is more than two. These doors are mostly made with wood, metal or uPVC, with glass for better view and ventilation.
What Are The Different Types Of Folding Doors?
Bifold doors come with 2 doors or 2 sets of 2 doors with 4 doors in total. Here are some of the common types of folding doors to choose from:
- Room Dividers: They are widely used for separating a large space into two rooms and are usually made with glass. These are also called French Bifold Glass Doors.
- Closet Doors: They come with 2 or 4 doors and are used as wardrobe doors. These doors are made with wood panels or blinds called Louvered doors.
- Raised Panel Doors: They are made for closets or pantries and created using raised wood panels.
- Flat Panel Doors: These doors are made with flat panels of wood to be used as closet doors or even room separators.
What Is The Importance Of Folding Doors?
So why are folding door designs in great demand these days? The answer is simple – Bifold doors have a visual appeal with practical functionality. Here are some of the top benefits of folding doors for your home:
- Space Savers: Fold-back doors take up very little space in your room. They can be “folded” or opened as per your choice to create a narrow to a very wide room.
- Natural Light: Bi-foldable doors are mostly made with glass panels to allow natural sunlight into the room. They can also share the light between rooms to brighten up your entire home.
- Security: Folding doors are not only stylish to look at but also secure! They come with automated or manual locking systems to protect your home from unwanted intrusions.
- Maintenance: The materials used in folding doors are easy to clean and maintain. They are weatherproof and highly durable.
What To Know Before Buying Bifold Doors?
Here is a simple buying guide for folding door designs to know before you make that investment:
- Bifold doors are expensive compared to the regular doors. They are not meant for your bedrooms or bathrooms unless you customize their size.
- Choosing the right material is an important step. Aluminium bifold doors are more popular than wood or uPVC doors due to several factors. They are cheap, long-lasting and lightweight. So, go for Aluminum if you want a reasonably good folding door.
- If you have chosen wooden folding doors, remember that they need high maintenance. You need to clean, varnish and coat them from time to time.
- Next, measure the size of the door to decide on the number of panels. You can opt for a minimum of two to a maximum of 16 panels.
- Decide on whether you want a “top hanging” or “bottom rolling” folding door. Outweigh their pros and cons before you vote for one.
Best Folding Door Designs In India:
Now that you have learnt about the basics of folding doors, let us go through these 10 modern folding door images with details.
1. Folding Glass Doors:
A folding glass door can beautify your home without putting in much effort. This stylish door comes with a set of 5 panels, each attached to the other using hinges. The door frame is made with aluminium to create an easy movement of the panels. It is best for patios, exit points and even in between large rooms.
- Door Type: 5 Door Bifold Glass Doors.
- Position: Exteriors.
- Material: Aluminum, Glass.
- Colour: Black.
2. Sliding Folding Door:
This is another bifold door, which can also be used as a sliding door. The main door comes with 3 glass panels and a fixed hinged door. You can choose to keep the sliding door closed and only open the hinged door or open up everything to make it welcoming for people. This type of door is great for storefronts.
- Door Type: Sliding Folding Doors.
- Position: Exteriors.
- Material: Aluminum, Glass.
- Colour: Black.
3. Wooden Folding Door Designs:
If you are not worried about maintenance, wooden doors are a great option! They are classy and evergreen models. The basic frame is made of wood, while the panels are affixed with glass. These doors are easy to move and use. They can be used as room dividers or even for your patios and balconies.
- Door Type: Wooden Folding Doors.
- Position: Interiors, Exteriors.
- Material: Wood.
- Colour: Light Brown.
See More: House Door Designs
4. PVC Folding Door:
If you want to create a unique look for your home, this door design is a must-try! The PVC folding door uses gas magnetic strips to create louvred panels. This door comes as a pocket sliding door, which vanishes inside the wall. You can use them for your internal rooms or even your living space to separate the areas.
- Door Type: PVC Folding Door.
- Position: Interiors.
- Material: PVC.
- Colour: Light Brown.
5. Aluminum Bifold Doors:
Choose smart, Choose aluminium! There are tons of reasons why Aluminum is the best material for your bifold door. It is lightweight, weather-resistant, sleek and stylish. You can also use many panels to cover up your extra-large space. You can also try creating the frame in different colours to go with the background.
- Door Type: Aluminum Bifold Door.
- Position: Exteriors.
- Material: Aluminum.
- Colour: Silver.
6. Folding Bedroom Door:
When the rest of your interiors are so well planned, why compromise on an ordinary door? You can now match your door with the rest of your theme by installing this folding door. The bifold-style door is made with two wooden doors that have a distinctly rustic look. You can use this door for your closets as well.
- Door Type: Folding Wooden Bifold Door.
- Position: Interiors.
- Material: Wood.
- Colour: Wood Grain.
See More: Latest Back Door Designs
7. Folding Bathroom Door Designs:
If you have a narrow entrance to your bathroom, a folding door is a wise option. You can save a lot of space with this door, as it can easily slide and glide through. The small folding door is made with two sleek wooden doors, attached with hinges. It is coloured in white to keep in harmony with the environment.
- Door Type: Interior Folding Doors.
- Position: Interiors.
- Material: Wood.
- Colour: White.
8. Folding Office Doors:
Simply the task of dividing your office space without creating walls! A glass and metal folding door can elegantly separate the working spaces. These doors can also be used for exteriors. They serve quite well as entrance doors, which can be used to restrict or broaden your space. The doors come with a locking system for security.
- Door Type: Exterior Folding Doors.
- Position: Interiors.
- Material: Aluminum.
- Colour: Silver.
See More: Best Window Door Designs
9. UPVC Bifold Doors:
uPVC is a durable plastic, which is lighter in weight than wood. Especially in Bifolds, uPVC is widely used for its sleek look and long life. This 3 large uPVC Bifold is perfect for your patios and exteriors. It can be used as a regular sliding door or a hinged door. This multi-functional door is coloured in white to keep it in contrast with the rustic design.
- Door Type: uPVC Bifold 3 Door.
- Position: Exteriors.
- Material: uPVC.
- Colour: White.
10. Bifold Entry Doors:
Leave your guests impressed with this magnanimous bifold door design. The glass French door can make a grand welcome with its 6 door panels. Reflective glass is used for the panels to reflect light and keep the internal temperature cool. You can also use this glass for exterior points like patios or balconies.
- Door Type: Large Bifold Entrance Doors.
- Position: Exteriors.
- Material: Wood.
- Colour: Brown.
See More: Simple Bathroom Door Designs
Now that you have learnt about these cool folding door designs and their different styles, it’s time to make a decision. Before you do that, you need to keep in mind certain things like measurements, materials and budget to choose the best one. Also, designers recommend maintaining the odd number of door panels to create seamless folding of doors. It is also crucial to choose the right operating system for your door for an effortless movement!
