Vivid Doors Bifold doors are available for the interior or exterior of your home. They are a popular choice due to their versatility, ability to help home space flow and varied appearance. However, if you’re considering investing in some exterior or interior bi fold doors, you’ll probably have a few questions and concerns. The good news is you’re not alone and many other people are looking for the answers to the same queries! If you’re curious about price, installation, security or size then we’re here to help.
Are bifold doors expensive?
As with everything, you can get your bifold doors relatively cheaply, or choose top of the range, luxury designs that are somewhat more expensive. Realistically, to get yourself a good set of internal doors that will last a number of years will set you back around £600.
Internal bifolding door prices vary slightly due to a number of factors. One of these factors is the size of your bifold doors and of course the materials. Generally bifolding doors are made from aluminium, timber and wood. The materials that you chose will ultimately impact every aspect of your doors, to the way you maintain them, to the cost, longevity and finish.
The bigger the space, the more doors there are included in a bifold door system. Most bifold door systems are available from 3 doors to 6 doors. As you might expect, a smaller, 3 door system is usually less expensive than a 6 door system. This is simply because more materials are involved.
If you’re looking to save on your bifolding doors, you can purchase timber items that are ready to be painted or glazed, and finish them in the style of your choice. However, if you’re looking for a luxury style, a high quality pre-finished glazed oak door would fit the bill. Whatever your budget, there’s a bifold door for you.
External bi-fold doors will start at around £1,000 for an unfinished doorset. They are a more expensive option because they have to withstand the elements and comply with weather testing. Secure, multipoint locking systems are essential to keep your home safe, so these come as standard. Although this means that a complete external bifolding door set is a more expensive choice than an internal doorset, it’s well worth the investment to keep your home warm and well protected.
Bi-fold doors are a more expensive option than French doors as they have more leafs. This simply means that there are more parts to the door. The benefit to this is the folding action of the door which can save space in the home. Depending on the space you have available and the look you are hoping to achieve, a bifold door system could be well worth the investment.
Are bifold doors easy to install?
Replacing or installing bi-folding doors isn’t as hard as you first might expect. There are some super handy door hanging guides available online that can guide you through the process, such as this useful video guide:
The basic steps you’ll need to follow are outlined below:
- Mount the hinges
- Attach the track hardware
- Install the track
- Position the floor bracket
- Hang your doors
- Attach the floor bracket
- Attach the door aligner
- Install the door pulls
Depending on how handy you are, this could take anywhere from a few hours to the best part of a lazy Sunday… on average it takes about 4-5 hours though.
To install your folding doors you’ll need some basic kit, including a drill, a combination square, a centring bit, hacksaw, plumb bob, bit extender and a handsaw. And a glass of wine to reward yourself, obviously.
How secure are bifold doors?
External bifold doors are most commonly found in conservatories, and rightly so, you should be asking whether or not they are safe. There is no real reason why your bi-fold doors shouldn’t be as secure as any other doors, and mostly when an incident is involved it is through the necessary precautions not being considered.
There are a number of ways in which you can ensure your bi-folding doors are safe, and whilst this may make them a little pricier, it is worth it in the long run.
The best thing to secure your bifold doors is a high quality multi-point locking system, the addition of a hidden, inline track rather than an external track. The strong combination of both will make it near impossible for anyone to life the doors out of their tracks and enter your property.
Products tested to British standards BS6375 and PAS24 ensure that the stress-bearing elements of your locking system (including the locking cylinders) are made from hardened steel, so look out for this when you purchase external bi-fold doors. Making sure that the products you chose to buy are of a good quality will go a long way in protecting your home. Essentially, bifold doors can be as secure as any other door if you choose a robust locking system.
Can bifold doors be reversed or shortened?
Bifold doors usually come in standard sizes which are suitable for the majority of doorway openings. However, if you find your current door is shorter than standard it is possible to shorten a set of bifold doors to fit.
There generally around ten steps to shortening a set of bifolding doors, all of the steps can be found online and a wealth of videos on YouTube to help guide you through the steps. Here’s a helpful guide:
The process includes taking down the doors, premeasuring and trimming them and then rehanging them. It’s a simple enough job and shouldn’t take more than a few hours – even for a beginner.
Things you’ll need:
- Stanley knife
- Wood clamps
- Sandpaper
- Paintbrush
- Drill and drill bits
- Scrap 1 inch lumber
- Tape measure
- Wood sealer
- Circular saw with fine-tooth blade
- Straightedge tool
- Screwdriver
When purchasing bi fold doors, you might also need them to open the opposite way. Re hanging the doors to reverse them is also a relatively simple job that you can undertake yourself. The pivot brackets and hinges can be moved so that the doors open on the other side of the door casing.
Bifold doors are a cost-effective and secure choice of door that can provide space benefits, visual appeal and design flair to the interior and exterior of your home. Installing and adjusting these versatile doors is relatively simple and can be done at home. Whether dividing rooms or letting the outside in, a bi-fold door is a great choice!
