The Different Types of Internal Doors

What Are Internal Bifold Doors?

So, you might have heard talk about internal bifold doors as they're sometimes called. If you're not familiar with what a bifold door is, or how it works, don't worry; it's actually pretty straightforward. A bifold door is made up of two or more single doors which are joined together in a row using hinges. This allows you the ability to put doors in spaces that are too wide for a conventional single-leaf door. Just like external bifold doors, interior bifolds open along a track. They are hung on runners that move backwards along the track, letting your bifold doors concertina up neatly at the side of your frame. When opened, your bi-fold doors won't protrude into the room any more than a single lead internal door.

When Should You Use an Internal Bifold Door?

Internal bifolds are the perfect choice when you want all the benefits of open-plan living with none of the drawbacks. Open-plan rooms are very popular for modern life, with many people choosing to take one, large open-plan room over many smaller ones. However, it is not without its issues. When a busy room like a kitchen is bought together with your living room, it can be hard to get comfortable and relax. Similarly, if you need a space where you focus, the sounds, smells and noise of a kitchen can be intrusive. Modern bifold doors give you the luxury of living in both worlds. When you want a flowing open plan space, for entertaining or just enjoying, you can through your bifold doors to share the energy, light flow and space between the rooms. Then, when you need privacy, you can close your door panels and separate them again. If you buy glazed bifold doors with large glass panels, you will still be able to share the natural light even when closed, while frosted glass could help you protect your privacy. That said, internal bifolds are available with glazed or solid panels. If you need room dividers that create a complete barrier at times, solid internal bifold doors make a great option.

Can You Use a Bifold Door as a Bedroom Door?

The brilliance of bi-fold doors is that they can be used anywhere, even in bedrooms. Though they are more commonly thought of as a door for communal living spaces like a kitchen and dining room, they can make a great choice for bedrooms too.

Do Internal Bifold Doors Save Space?

Bi-fold doors are an easy way to save space in your home, particularly if you have a set that replaces an entire wall. They concertina up closely and can be pushed against the wall so they barely take up any space. Unlike French doors which will cause two separate obstructions (one for each door), they will sit close to the frame in only one spot.

What Are the Benefits of Internal Bifold Doors?

Perhaps the biggest benefit of internal bi-fold doors is how much bigger they can help your home feel. A few different aspects of bi-folding doors contribute to this feeling. The sense of an open plan space that they create when they are open will help the space feel bigger. The extra light that will fill your home with glazed internal bifold doors will also increase the sense of size in a room. Pair with a set of glazed patio doors, to maximise the light in your home so it feels as big as possible.

What are Internal French Doors?

If bifolding doors don't appeal to you, then perhaps internal French doors will be more to your taste. Due to their more traditional design, they work particularly well in period homes, but can also add a design edge to new build properties, too. Internal French doors are made from a pair of outward, or inward, opening doors. They are fixed to the wall on opposite sides and latch together in the middle allowing you to open one door at a time, or both doors at the same time. French doors are almost always heavily glazed. These can take the form of either a large, single pane of glass or multiple smaller panes, which are more traditionally associated with French doors. For larger openings, French doors with sidelights are the perfect solution. Sidelights are glazed panels that sit on either side of your doors. They match your chosen French doors but are fixed in position, so don't move when you open and close your doors.

When Can You Use Internal French Doors?

If bifolding doors don't appeal to you, then perhaps internal French doors will be more to your taste. They're a great option if you have a little bit more space for your doors to swing open and want a more structured, classic look for your home. Due to their more traditional design, they work particularly well in period homes, but can also add a design edge to new build properties, too. French doors also add a sense of grandeur to hallways, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms. In addition to this, the extensive glazing associated with interior French doors make them perfect for filtering light from one room to another. Being smaller than internal bifold doors, they also make a great choice when you want to keep more separation between two rooms.

Do Interior French Doors Increase Home Value?

Unlike external doors, internal doors may not have a direct correlation with the value of your home. However, they have an impact. This is because the large panes of glass will let more light flow through your home, helping your rooms feel brighter, happier and even bigger. All of these will help attract buyers to your home which could help it be valued higher.

Are French Doors Practical?

French doors offer a particularly practical choice when you need to be able to completely separate your rooms at times. As they only feature two doors, you will be able to preserve more of the French doors are slightly less practical if you are short on space. As French doors open outwards on both sides, they create two separate obstructions when they're opened. If you are looking for doors to go between two smaller rooms, then internal bi-fold doors could be a better option.

What Is the Difference Between French Doors and Double Doors?

The main difference between French doors and double doors is the glazing. French doors refer to the style of the door with at least one large pane of glass (or a number of smaller ones). These echo the designs of the large French windows that were used in the 17th Century, which is where the French door style gets its name. If you have a pair of doors that are both solid door panels then these are double doors, not solid wood French doors.

Which Is Better, Internal Bifold Doors or Internal French Doors?

There is no easy way to decide between internal bifold doors and French doors, it will always come down to your personal needs and preferences. If you want to create a seamless transition between rooms, then bi-folding doors are an easy way to do it, saving space and sharing more natural light. French doors offer a more structured look and more privacy between rooms. While glazed French doors with larger glass panels will still help share natural light, they will also protect the boundaries between rooms so you can have completely separate spaces when you need them.

Can I Choose Glazed Internal Doors?

We've spoken briefly about glazed doors already in the article, so if you were wondering if you could choose glazed internal doors for your home, the answer is yes! Glazed doors have always been popular with homeowners as they allow natural light to filter through them. This illuminates rooms which, otherwise, may be dark and, dare we say it, dingy. If the idea of a pane of glass as a door doesn't appeal to you, fret not; there are plenty of styles of glazed internal doors to choose from.

Glazed Internal Doors

Glazed internal doors are exactly what they say on the tin; an internal door with glazed panes. The glazed panes may take the form of a single vertical pane, or perhaps even multiple smaller panes. They can be clear glazed, or frosted, and come in all sorts of designs from the ultra-contemporary to the more traditional and decorative.

Glazed French Doors

French doors are a beautiful way to introduce glazed doors into your home. As with standard glazed internal doors, French doors can feature full-length panes, or multiple smaller panes. Half-glazed French and double doors are a fantastic alternative for homeowners who want a balance between privacy, style, and light.

Can I Get Bespoke Internal Doors?

If you live in a period property, or perhaps a new build where the architect hasn't followed these standard dimensions, then you may need to have bespoke internal doors made just for your home. If your opening is just shy of any of the above standard sizes, then it's entirely possible that you could simply trim your doors to fit. Most internal doors can be trimmed by a few millimetres on each side to fit. Always double-check just how much your doors can be trimmed before going ahead and trying to cut them down. If you still can't find a door that will fit, then bespoke internal doors are the way forward. It's not just single panel doors that can be made to measure; bifolding, French, and sliding doors can all be made to measure to fit your home perfectly.