If you feel like your home is starting to feel small or crad, you’re not alone. Many homeowners need help to make the most of limited space, especially in areas like entryways, patios, and family rooms that serve multiple purposes. However, there is a solution that can help open up your rooms to bring in lighter and give a better sense of flow – installing folding doors.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about how folding doors work and what benefits they can provide for enhancing your living areas.
What Are Folding Doors and How Do They Work?
Folding doors, also called accordion or bi-fold doors, consist of several door panels that fold onto themselves in an accordion style when opened. The hinged panels fold to the side to open up an entire wall with a large opening without taking up room by swinging either inward or outward.
Folding doors typically include multiple panels, ranging from just two up to as many as sixteen door panels folding in a series. One or more of the panels may feature a traditional handle and lock as a “traffic door” for easy passage without needing to fold the entire set of panels each time.
The panel frames fold on top of each other, sliding along a track either at the floor or the top jamb. High-quality hardware ensures smooth operation and allows you to adjust how much of the wall you wish to open.
Reasons for Installing Folding Doors in Your Home
Folding doors offer many advantages:
1. Aesthetic Appeal
Folding doors contain extensive glass panes to let light flow in beautifully. The accordion-style design makes a stunning visual statement. You can find folding doors in styles from modern to rustic to suit your home’s look.
2. Flexible Open-Concept Spaces
With folding doors fully expanded, the indoor and outdoor spaces blend seamlessly. This flexibility works perfectly for entertaining or everyday living. The doors can be left partially or fully open to best meet your needs.
3. Space Savings
Traditional swinging doors require ample clearance for operation. Folding doors eliminate that issue through their sliding mechanism, which doesn’t demand additional space. This makes them ideal options for small entryways and tight rooms.
4. Enhanced Light and Views
The vast glass surface area of folding doors enables daylight to infuse your interior rooms, reducing the need for artificial lighting. Panoramic outdoor views also add to your living environment.
5. Weather Protection
Advanced insulating glass and tight seals keep out drafts, moisture, and noise pollution when the doors are closed. Installation of folding doors can withstand various weather conditions while enabling you to access fresh air as desired.
6. Customisation for Any Project
Folding doors provide nearly endless customisation opportunities. You can select the number of panels, type of frame material, glass features, colour and hardware finishes, configurations with adjacent windows, and installation location – the options continue. An experienced dealer can help turn your vision into reality.
Factors to Consider When Buying Folding Doors
Before purchasing folding doors, think through a few important factors:
1. Access Requirements
Measure the full dimensions of your folding door area and account for any protrusions. Check that the openings meet building codes and accessibility guidelines for users in your home. This ensures ample clearance for moving through.
2. Material and Finish
Folding doors come in a range of durable, low-maintenance materials like wood, aluminium, vinyl, or fibreglass. The finish should withstand your climate while coordinating with your decor. Dark colours absorb more heat.
3. Weather Conditions
If the doors act as an exterior access point, make sure to select adequate weather sealing, water resistance, and UV protection through design components like multi-point locks, weep holes for drainage, and reinforced glass.
4. Safety Features
Depending on accessibility, consider child safety locks, anti-slam mechanisms, finger protection, and toughened laminated glass. Integrate any other necessary safety elements.
5. Professional Installation
Proper installation is vital to ensure folding doors operate smoothly, seal tightly, and last for years of frequent use. Get in touch with AIS Windows which offers top-notch installation services.
Conclusion
Folding doors offer a versatile solution to expand tight home spaces through an eye-catching accordion-style opening. With extensive customisation options available, you can create folding doors ideal for your needs and decor. Properly installed and cared for, they will provide an open, light-filled living environment for years to come. Contact AIS Windows to buy folding doors with designs and dimensions that will transform your home.
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