If you’ve done some research on bifold doors, you already know these sleek, stylish doors are fantastic for opening up your home and creating a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living spaces. But with so many options available, you might be wondering: “What’s the best way for my bifold doors to open?”

Don’t worry – Bowalker’s got you covered. Let’s break down the different bifold door opening options and their benefits, to figure out what will suit your home and lifestyle best.

Panel size matters

First things first: the size of your bifold door panels plays a big role in how they’ll function and look. If you’re going for a truly grand opening (literally!), the aïr 800 bifold doors could create the perfect impact. These doors can span up to 1.2 metres wide and 3 metres tall per panel, which means fewer panels and more glass. Perfect if you love the idea of an almost uninterrupted view of your garden or patio.

On the other hand, Bowalker’s aluminium bifold doors give you a little more flexibility with a maximum height of 2.5 metres and width of 1 metre per panel. Ideal for smaller spaces or homes where you want to maximise light without going too large on the panels.

How many panels?

Think about the size of the wall where you’re installing your bifold doors. The larger the wall, the more panels you can add to your bifold door opening space. If you could accommodate 10 panels, for example, (each at 1.2 metres wide), you could create a glass wall that spans an impressive 12 metres. That’s almost like having an entire side of your house opened up!

If you have a smaller space, you can opt for fewer panels. The beauty of bifold doors is that no matter how many panels you choose, you’re still in for a major transformation.

Stacking: inside or outside?

One of the big decisions you’ll face is where you want your bifold doors to fold and stack when open. Do you want them to stack inside your living area, or outside in the garden? There’s no right or wrong answer here – it all depends on your personal preference and how you use your space.

  • Inside stacking: This can be a good option if you want to keep your exterior sleek and minimal.
  • Outside stacking: Better if you want to keep your interior space completely open and unobstructed when the doors are folded back.

Which way do they open?

Next up: the direction your bifold doors open. You can choose for your doors to fold entirely in one direction, or you can split them to open from both sides. Think about how you and your family use the space day-to-day. If you’re often moving in and outside a lot, having the doors fold from both sides could be more practical, giving you easier access.

And of course, whether the doors open from the left or right will be determined by the layout of your room and furniture placement. You want the flow to feel natural!

The handy traffic door

One of our favourite bifold door features, that’s perfect for everyday use! A traffic door is a regular door built into your bifold door system, so you don’t have to fold back the entire set of doors every time you want to pop into the garden. Super handy if you’re just letting the dog out, or grabbing the washing in!

Colour wonderful

Now for the fun part: what colour will your bifold doors be? Blend in with your existing windows, doors and muted décor by opting for popular white, cream, black or grey, or opt to stand out on the street with a sunny ochre or sage green. With so many RAL colours available to customise your bifold doors, you can go as subtle or as striking as you like. Matching the frame to the shades in your garden is a great way to extend that indoor-outdoor vibe even further.

So, what’s the best bifold door opening option for you?

At the end of the day, the “best” bifold door opening option is the one that works for your space and your family’s needs. Think about how you’ll use the doors day-to-day, how much space you have, and what will make your life easier. Whether you go for large panels, multiple panels, inside stacking, outside stacking, or add a traffic door, bifold doors are going to transform your space into something seriously impressive.

Still unsure? Tap into 40 years of experience by talking to the team at Bowalker Doors.