Bifold Doors: A Stylish Solution

Bifold doors have become increasingly popular in modern homes, especially during the pandemic, as people began to spend more time working from home. Bifold Doors are a stylish and functional way to connect indoor and outdoor spaces. They are designed to fold back across the opening, maximising the opening space which provides natural light, warmth and that connection to the natural world. In this post, we’ll explore what bifold doors are, their benefits, and how to choose the right ones for your home.

Korniche Bifolding Door and Roof Lantern in a Cozy Living Space
A relaxing retreat with a Korniche Bifolding Door and Roof Lantern. Enjoy the natural light and seamless indoor-outdoor living.

What are Bifold Doors?

Bifold doors consist of multiple panels or leaves, that are connected by hinges. When closed the panels form a solid glass barrier from the outside world. When open, they fold back against each other, creating a wide, unobstructed opening. Korniche Bi-folding Doors are made of aluminium but they can also be made from wood and uPVC.

Exterior View of a Home with Korniche Bifolding Doors and Roof Lantern
Enjoy the beauty of natural light and open-plan living with Korniche Bifolding Doors and Roof Lantern.

Benefits of Bifold Doors

Increased Natural Light

Bifold Doors maximise the opening, allowing the maximum amount of light to enter your home. Creating a brighter and more welcoming atmosphere.

Improved Indoor-Outdoor Living

When open, they seamlessly connect your indoor and outdoor spaces, they enhance your ability to enjoy the benefits of both, the seamless link extends your living space.

Energy Efficiency

Modern Bifold Doors, such as Korniche Aluminium Bi-folding Doors, are equipped with energy-efficient features, such as double glazing and robust weather seals, to help reduce your energy consumption.

Customising Your Doors

Korniche Bifold Doors offer exceptional customisation. Choose from 35 configurations, bespoke sizes up to 6.4m wide and 2.5m high, and a wide range of colours and glazing options including toughened, laminated and privacy glass.

Modern Interior with Korniche Bifolding Doors and Roof Lanterns
A sleek and modern living space featuring Korniche Bifolding Doors and Roof Lanterns. Enjoy the natural light and breathtaking views.

Bifold Door Security

Bifold doors are generally more secure compared to traditional French or Sliding Doors and make break ins more challenging. When it comes to your home, safety is the top priority and bifold doors can be one of the most secure options for the rear of your home. Most Bifold Doors are equipped with a multi-point locking system and a concealed, inline tracking system, making it nearly impossible for intruders to lift the doors out of their mechanism.

Korniche bi-folding doors come rigorously tested, to keep your home fully protected. Certified to the advanced PAS24:2016 standard, their strong and durable aluminium frames come with a 3 Star Yale locking barrel, high strength shootbolt handle and multi point locking systems.

Our patented shootbolt handle has an innovating and unique anti-back drive feature engineered into it. This means that even unlocked, a forced entry attempt can’t rotate the handle to open the door. We also offer toughened and laminated glass options to make it more difficult for thieves to break in.

Korniche Bi-Fold Doors (Interior View)
The Korniche Bi-folding Door Shootbolt Handle with locking key.

Thermal Efficiency

Bi-fold doors contribute to your home’s energy efficiency, and if selected and installed correctly can be a major asset to your home.

Here’s what to look for:

  • Energy Efficient Glazing: Choose doors with energy-efficient glass, with a low U value, such as double glazing, to help reduce heat loss.
  • Weather Seals: Ensure that your bifold doors have wide polyamide thermal breaks and sealed brush-pile weather seals.
  • Thermal Breaks: Most modern aluminium bifold door designs, like the Korniche Bi-folding Door, are designed with a thermal break, which reduces the transfer of temperatures between the external surface and the internal surface.
Korniche Bi-Fold Door - Thermal Performance
Keeping the heat in – A visual representation of the Korniche Bi-Fold Door’s exceptional thermal performance, highlighted by the blue-to-red color gradient.

Bifold Doors vs. Sliding Doors

When deciding between bifold doors and sliding doors, it’s important to consider your specific needs and preferences. Both options have unique advantages and disadvantages.

Why you should choose bifold doors
  • Wide opening: Bifold doors create a larger opening than sliding doors, proving a more unobstructed access to your outdoor space.
  • Versatility: They can be configured in more ways than a siding door, allowing for partial or full openings.
  • Space Efficiency: They fold back against the ball, maximising the indoor outdoor space.
  • Track Depth: There is only one track on a bi-folding door, while you will need 2 or 3 on a sliding door which makes the door line thicker.
Why you should choose sliding doors
  • Simpler Design: Sliding Doors are generally simpler in design and easier to install.
  • Cost: They can be more affordable than bi-folding doors, depending on the size and materials.
  • Thermal Efficiency: Sliding doors are generally more thermally efficient than bifold doors because they have less breaks between panes.

Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Consider factors such as the available space you have, the desired level of opening, aesthetic preferences, and budget. You may have to consult an installer to get personalised advice. If you’re looking for an installer in your area, check out our “Where To Buy” tool.

Dining Room with 3-Pane Korniche Bifolding Door and Integral Blinds
Enjoy privacy and style with a 3-pane Korniche Bifolding Door featuring integral blinds.

Bifold Door Costs

You can expect to pay anywhere from a few thousand pounds to several thousand pounds for a set of bifold doors. It’s important to obtain quotes from different suppliers to compare prices and ensure you’re getting a fair deal.

The cost of bifold doors vary significantly depending on several factors. Larger bifold doors will obviously cost more than smaller ones. The type of material used for the frame and panels, such as aluminium, wood, or uPVC, will also affect the price. Additionally, the type of glass used and any additional features will influence the cost. The quality and style of the hardware, including hinges, locks, and handles, will also impact the price. Finally, the cost of professional installation will vary depending on the complexity of the job and your location.

Korniche Bifolding Door and Large Roof Lantern
Enjoy the natural light and spacious feel of this living room featuring a 4-pane Korniche Bifolding Door and a large roof lantern.

Installing a Bifold Door

While the installation process for bifold doors can vary depending on factors like size, weight, and specific design features, Korniche bifold doors offer a streamlined and efficient approach.

Here’s a general overview of the Korniche bifold door installation process:

  1. Delivery: The complete door unit, including the frame and glass panels, is delivered to your location.
  2. Positioning: The installation team carefully position the unit in the desired opening, ensuring it’s level and square.
  3. Securing: The frame is then securely fixed to the surrounding structure.
  4. Glass Panel Insertion: The individual glass panels are inserted into the frame sections.

While some homeowners may be tempted to attempt a DIY installation of bifold doors, it’s strongly recommended to entrust this task to a team of experienced professionals. Bifold doors are large complex structures that require precise measurements, proper handling, and secure installation to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

By choosing professional installation, you can have peace of mind knowing that your bifold doors are installed correctly and will provide years of reliable service.

Interior View of a 5-Pane Korniche Bifolding Door
Enjoy stunning garden views with a 5-pane Korniche Bifolding Door.

Maintaining Bifold Doors

Proper maintenance is essential to ensure the longevity and performance of your bifold doors. Regularly clean the exterior and interior surfaces and tracks to remove dirt, dust, and debris. Use a mild soapy solution and a soft cloth or sponge.

Lubricate the hinges, rollers, and other moving parts as recommended by the manufacturer. This will help prevent squeaking and ensure smooth operation. Regularly inspect your bifold doors for signs of damage, scratches, or loose hardware. Address any issues promptly to prevent further problems.

Ensure that the weather seals around your bifold doors are in good condition. Replace any damaged or worn-out seals to maintain energy efficiency and prevent drafts.

Korniche Bifold Door Maintenance

Korniche doors are constructed from high-quality aluminium, offering several advantages in terms of maintenance. Aluminium is a strong and durable material, making them less susceptible to warping, flexing, or other forms of damage over time.

Unlike wood or uPVC, aluminium requires minimal maintenance. It is resistant to corrosion and rot, reducing the need for frequent repairs or refinishing. Aluminium surfaces are easy to clean with a mild detergent and a soft cloth.

While the specific maintenance requirements may vary depending on the manufacturer and model, these general tips can help you keep your bifold doors looking and functioning their best.

Why Choose Korniche Bifold Doors?

The Korniche Bi-folding Door makes it easy to elevate the design of any build or renovation project. Large sections of glass brings in light and makes a room feel like its actually expanding into your outside space. Using a Bifold Door give you the added advantage of being able to entirely open the room up, making the environment as one. Getting that all important natural light into an interior space creates ambience, enhancing your décor whilst energising and improving your wellbeing.