Home design trends are centred around improving homes in terms of both functionality and style. Currently, these trends are focused around ways in which homeowners can enhance their indoor-outdoor living areas and the overall cogension of these spaces.
A major factor that contributes to a seamless indoor-outdoor living area is that of doors. Both sliding doors and bifold doors can act as a focal point for these spaces. Providing uninhibited views and a vehicle for functional living and entertaining.
However, with sliding doors and bifolds differing in design elements, it can be hard to choose the right door for your indoor and outdoor living space. Rather than opting for the first item you see, do some research and choose the door that matches your preferences and priorities.
Sliding doors and their characteristics
When it comes to deciding which door is right for your home, start with research. This means understanding the different options such as sliding doors, french doors and bifold doors and their inherent characteristics as well as their perceived pros and cons.
With this in mind, sliding doors are typically made up of two or more quite large panes of glass. When opened and closed, these panes will move to the side accordingly, sitting behind one another while resting on an elevated track. Sliding doors are traditionally seen externally.
Why choose sliding doors
A sliding screen door offers a range of different benefits. Not only can they offer improved functionality as you move from space to space, but they also act as a focal point in your home, providing great views.
Benefits of sliding doors include:
- Space savings- sliding doors run along a parallel track that doesn’t inhibit floor space
- Improved security- a sliding glass door is specially designed to prevent techniques associated with forced entry
- Uninhibited views- designed to include a bigger panel to frame ratio, sliding doors provide open views that increase feelings of space
- Durable and stylish- sliding doors come complete with durable glass and options in terms of finishes, helping you install sliding doors that complement your home
- Easy to operate- as the weight of sliding doors rest on a track, they are extremely easy and lightweight to slide back and forth
- Increased energy efficiency- as sliding doors have less frame in their design, they are more thermally efficient when compared to other varieties of doors
- Limitless flexibility- sliding doors offer great control to homeowners, they can be opened fully in order to pass in and out, they can also be opened just a fraction in order to let the cool breeze in
Bifold doors and their characteristics
Another great option for those looking to enhance their indoor and outdoor living and dining spaces is that of bifold doors. Offering improved functionality, bifold doors are also great for providing homes with natural light.
In terms of characteristics, bifold doors can be made up of a minimum of two doors and a maximum of seven. When opened, these doors will essentially fold back against each other in a style similar to concertina.
Utilising a carriage system, bifold doors’ panels are connected by hinges and will run back and forth along both the top and bottom of the track system. Typically, this track system will be concealed.
The benefits of bifold doors
When it comes to bifold doors, there are many benefits for homeowners to enjoy, most of all, the ability to create a fully openable connection to their outdoor spaces. Be it a living or dining space or even a combination of the two.
Further benefits of bifold doors include:
- Wider opening- with the ability to be completely pulled back, bifold doors offer a wide opening when moving inside and outside of the home
- Secure- in terms of security, bifold doors feature lock systems located at multiple points along the sliding track
- Multiple configurations- when installing bifold doors, homeowners have a lot of options to choose from such as how many panels and whether they fold inwards or outwards
- Easy access- bifold doors come complete with a traffic door option, this means that rather than opening the whole system, you can open a door for easy, quick access to the outdoors
What about protection against uninvited insects? Which door type is the best for installing fly screens with?
While there are some differences between bifold doors and sliding doors, they do have some things in common. For example, both of these space enhancing options can be screened in order to protect against insects.
When it comes to bifold doors, screens are designed to be discreet. As such, screening solutions are affixed into the door frame. Screening options range from offset style to meeting in the middle.
Sliding doors can also be screened properly, creating seamless sliding fly screen doors. In fact, screens can be fitted to work around the ways in which you plan to use your sliding doors. As such, screen options include retractable fly screens or pleated insect screens.
FAQs
Bifold doors are not out of style, quite the opposite. This is largely because now more than ever, people are gravitating towards the outside areas of their home. To make living, dining and entertaining easier, people want to create a seamless indoor-outdoor connection and transition.
With bifold doors presenting as an unique opportunity to provide uninhibited views of the backyard while also doubling as an easy entrance and exit point, they are on trend. The fact that they can be customised to suit the rest of your home ensures they are complementary to your home’s overall look and feel.
In terms of cost, sliding doors are generally cheaper than bifold doors. However, it’s worth noting that costs will vary depending on a variety of factors. For example, a two pane sliding door will be cheaper than a bifold door with seven doors. As such, cost is relative to the size and characteristics of your project.
Are sliding or bifold doors better for your patio? The things to consider
When it comes to enhancing the style and functionality of indoor-outdoor living spaces, sliding doors and bifold doors are currently on trend options. Especially for those looking to create seamless transitions between spaces.
To find the right solution for your indoor-outdoor space, it’s about researching and later, choosing the style of the door that matches your preferences in relation to elements of both style and functionality.
For example, some homeowners may gravitate towards sliding doors because easability is important to them. On the other hand, some homeowners may opt for bifold doors because the ability to fully open the doors will enhance that indoor-outdoor connection.
With this in mind, the right solution will be based on personal requirements and preferences. Otherwise, if you let the most sophisticated or stylish item in a look book guide your choice, you will be left with a space that hinders your actions rather than complements them.
