External Folding Doors: Why They’re Becoming a Must-Have

Opening Up Your Home with External Folding Doors

Modern homes often grapple with limited space, leaving homeowners feeling cramped and restricted. External folding doors offer a clever solution to this common problem, creating a sense of openness and flexibility that traditional doors simply can’t match.

Standard doors can unintentionally divide your living areas, making rooms feel smaller and more confined than they actually are. This separation limits the flow between areas and can make your home feel disjointed. In a typical three-bedroom semi-detached house, the living room might be cut off from the dining area, reducing the overall sense of space and light.

Space Saving with External Folding Doors

External folding doors, also known as bi-folding external doors or bifold patio doors, break down these barriers, quite literally. When fully opened, they create a wide, unobstructed passage between your indoor and outdoor areas. Picture a kitchen-diner with bifolding external doors spanning the entire width of the room. On a sunny day, these doors can be fully retracted, effectively doubling your living space by incorporating the patio or garden.

Unlike sliding doors, which always leave a portion of the opening covered, folding external doors can be completely pushed to one side. This feature is particularly useful for smaller homes where every inch of space counts. A terrace house with a compact garden, for instance, could use folding doors to easily connect the kitchen and a small patio, making both areas feel larger and more usable.

Clever Design Ideas

To make the most of of your external folding doors, consider their placement carefully. Installing them between a living room and a conservatory can create a flexible space that adapts to your needs throughout the year. In summer, open the doors fully to create one large, airy room. In winter, close them to maintain a cosy living area while still benefiting from the extra light.

Another smart approach is to use external folding doors to connect a home office to the garden. This setup allows you to work in a light-filled space with the option to step directly outside for quick breaks, improving both productivity and wellbeing.

Consider how the rest of your room layout can complement this new, flexible space. Arranging furniture to create clear sightlines through the doors, even when closed, can help maintain that sense of openness year-round.

A Solution to Gloomy Interiors

Dark, poorly lit rooms can make a house feel unwelcoming and smaller than it actually is. External folding doors offer an effective solution to this common problem, bringing in abundant natural light and creating a brighter, more inviting living space.

Many homes suffer from a lack of natural light, particularly in areas far from windows or in rooms with small openings. This issue is often exacerbated in older properties or those with a north-facing aspect. A dimly lit living room, for instance, can feel oppressive and uninviting, discouraging family members from spending time there.

External Folding Doors and Light

Bi folding external doors excel at flooding rooms with daylight, thanks to their large glass panels. Unlike traditional doors or windows, external folding doors can span entire walls, maximising the amount of light that enters your home. In a kitchen extension, for example, installing folding external doors along one side can dramatically increase the natural light, making the space feel larger and more open.

The impact of this increased light goes beyond just brightness. Natural light has been shown to improve mood and productivity, making your home a more pleasant place to live and work. A home office fitted with external bi folding doors, for instance, can become a more inspiring and energising workspace.

Positioning for Maximum Brightness

To get the most from your external folding doors, their placement is key. South-facing walls are ideal for capturing the most light throughout the day. However, even if your main living areas don’t face south, bifolding external doors can still make a substantial difference.

For east-facing rooms, external folding doors can help you make the most of the morning light, creating a perfect spot for breakfast or morning yoga. West-facing installations, on the other hand, can capture the warm afternoon sun, ideal for relaxing evenings or dinner parties.

In areas where privacy might be a concern, such as ground floor bedrooms, frosted or textured glass options for your folding external doors can provide a balance between light and seclusion. These options allow plenty of natural light to filter through while maintaining your privacy.

It’s worth noting that the frame design of external folding doors also plays a role in light transmission. Slim frames with large glass panels will let in more light than chunkier designs. Aluminium frames, for instance, can be made very narrow, maximising the glass area and consequently, the amount of light entering your home.

Weather and Sustainability with External Bi Folding Doors

Many homeowners worry about energy efficiency and climate control when considering external folding doors. These concerns are valid, especially in the British climate where temperatures can fluctuate and rain is a frequent visitor. However, modern external folding doors offer robust solutions to these weather-related challenges.

Draughts

Traditional doors and windows can be a source of unwanted draughts and heat loss. This issue is particularly noticeable in older properties where ill-fitting doors can let cold air seep in and warm air escape. A draughty living room, for example, can be uncomfortable and costly to heat, leading to higher energy bills and a less pleasant living environment.

Insulation in Folding Doors

Today’s external folding doors are designed with energy efficiency in mind. Bi folding external doors typically feature advanced sealing systems that prevent air leakage when closed. These seals work in conjunction with multi-point locking mechanisms to create a tight, draught-free barrier between your home and the outside world.

The frames of folding external doors also play a major role in insulation. Many are made with thermal break technology, which involves a non-conductive material inserted between the interior and exterior parts of the frame. This design hugely reduces heat transfer, helping to keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer.

External bi folding doors often incorporate double or triple glazing, further improving their insulative properties. The air or gas-filled spaces between the panes act as additional barriers to heat transfer. In a kitchen extension, for instance, well-insulated external folding doors can help maintain a comfortable temperature year-round, even when the doors span an entire wall.

Climate-Smart Glass Options for External Folding Doors

The glass used in external folding doors can be tailored to your specific climate needs. Low-emissivity (low-E) glass is a popular option for bifolding external doors in the UK. This special coating reflects heat back into the room while still allowing sunlight to pass through, helping to keep your home warm without sacrificing natural light.

For south-facing installations where overheating might be a concern, solar control glass can be used in your external folding doors. This type of glass reduces the amount of heat from the sun that enters your home, helping to keep it cool during hot summer days. In a conservatory or sunroom, for example, solar control glass in folding external doors can help maintain a comfortable temperature without relying heavily on air conditioning.

It’s worth noting that the energy performance of external folding doors isn’t just about the materials used. Proper installation is equally important. Professional fitting ensures that your doors are correctly aligned and sealed, preventing any gaps that could lead to draughts or water ingress.

Security Concerns with External Folding Doors

When it comes to external folding doors, security is often a top concern for homeowners. The idea of large glass panels might seem to invite intruders, but modern folding external doors are designed with robust security features that can match or even surpass traditional door systems.

Glass Door Security

Many people assume that glass doors are inherently less secure than solid ones. This misconception stems from outdated notions about glass strength and door locking mechanisms. In reality, external folding doors use toughened or laminated glass that’s highly resistant to breakage. For instance, a set of bi folding external doors in a living room opening onto a garden can be as secure as any standard door, while offering the added benefits of light and space.

Modern Systems

External folding doors come equipped with sophisticated locking systems that provide excellent security. Multi-point locking is standard on most models, with locks engaging at several points along the frame when the door is closed. This distributes the locking force and makes it much harder for an intruder to force the door open.

Many external bi folding doors also feature shoot bolt locking, where bolts extend into the top and bottom of the frame for added security. In a kitchen installation, for example, a 3-panel set of folding external doors might have up to 5 locking points, creating a formidable barrier against forced entry.

The frames of external folding doors are also designed with security in mind. High-quality aluminium or uPVC frames are incredibly strong and resistant to warping or flexing. This means that even if someone tries to pry the door open, the frame will hold firm.

Slide and Fold – An Option to Consider

While external folding doors are a popular choice for many homes, there’s another option worth exploring: slide and fold doors. This alternative offers a unique set of benefits that might better suit certain spaces or preferences.

When Standard Folding Doesn’t Fit

There are situations where traditional bi folding external doors might not be the ideal solution. For instance, in a narrow conservatory where space is at a premium, the stacked panels of folding doors could intrude too much into the room when open. Similarly, for very large openings, the weight of multiple folding panels might make operation less smooth than desired.

Slide and fold doors offer a solution to these challenges. These systems combine the benefits of sliding doors with the full opening capability of folding external doors. In a kitchen extension with a wide opening to the garden, slide and fold doors could provide easier operation and a sleeker look than standard folding doors.

How Slide and Fold Doors Work

Slide and fold doors, also known as slide and stack, slide and swing, slide and pivot or slide and turn doors, operate differently from standard external folding doors. The panels slide along a track, much like a sliding door, but can also be rotated 90 degrees and folded back against each other. This unique mechanism allows for flexible opening options.

For example, in a living room with bifolding external doors, you might only want to open a small section for ventilation on a cooler day. With a slide and fold system, you could easily slide one panel to the side without needing to fold and stack multiple panels. On warmer days, the entire system can be opened up, similar to standard folding external doors.

Slide and Fold vs Standard External Folding Doors

Slide and fold systems generally require less space for the open doors to stack, as the panels can be slid to one end before being folded. This can be advantageous in tighter spaces.

However, folding external doors typically offer a wider clear opening when fully retracted. In a dining room opening onto a patio, standard bifolds might provide a more open feel when entertaining. On the other hand, slide and fold doors often provide better flexibility for partial opening, which could be useful in a home office where you want to control airflow without fully opening the space.

In terms of security, both systems can offer robust locking mechanisms and sturdy construction. The choice often comes down to personal preference and the specific requirements of your space. For example, in a ground floor bedroom, the ability to partially open a slide and fold door for ventilation without compromising security might be particularly appealing.

Aesthetically, slide and fold doors can create a different look from standard external folding doors. The ability to have panels partially open along the track can create interesting visual effects and provide more options for controlling light and views. In a modern apartment with a balcony, this flexibility could allow you to frame different aspects of the view throughout the day.

External Folding Door FAQ

What’s the best material for external folding door frames?

The best material for external folding door frames depends on your specific needs and preferences. Aluminium frames are popular for their strength, slim profiles, and low maintenance. They don’t rust or warp, making them ideal for British weather. uPVC frames offer excellent insulation and are cost-effective, while timber frames provide a classic look and can be repainted. Each material has its strengths, so consider factors like durability, appearance, and budget when making your choice.

How do I choose a colour for my external folding doors that won’t go out of style?

When considering folding door colours, think about timeless options that complement your home’s architecture. Consider anthracite bifold doors or black bifold doors for lasting appeal. If you’re concerned about future trends, you could opt for doors that can be repainted, allowing you to update the colour in the future.

How do external folding doors compare to French doors?

External folding doors and French doors serve similar purposes but offer different benefits. Folding doors can span wider openings and, when fully open, create a larger, more open feel. They’re ideal for merging indoor and outdoor areas. French doors, typically consisting of two hinged panels, are more traditional and work well in smaller openings. They can be easier to use for quick access as you only need to open one panel. While folding doors offer more flexibility in terms of opening options, French doors often provide a more classic, symmetrical look. Your choice depends on your space, style preferences, and how you plan to use the doors.

What are the advantages of choosing custom-made doors?

Bespoke bifold doors offer perfect fit and functionality for your specific space. They can be tailored to unusual sizes or shapes, ensuring maximum use of your opening. They also allow you to select exact specifications for hardware, glass type, and finish, resulting in doors that perfectly match your vision.

What are the latest trends in patio door design?

Current trends in modern patio doors include ultra-slim frames for a nearly frameless look, large glass panels for unobstructed views, and innovative opening mechanisms like slide and fold systems. There’s also a growing focus on energy efficiency, with many modern external folding doors featuring advanced glazing and insulation technologies.