Bifold Door Sizes – Standard Sizes and How to Measure
Bifold doors offer a versatile and stylish solution for both residential and commercial spaces. Their popularity stems from their ability to maximize space utilization while adding a touch of elegance to any room.
However, before you embark on your journey to enhance your space with bifold doors, it’s important to understand the intricacies of bifold door sizes and how to measure them accurately.
Bifold Door Sizes
This article provides a guide on standard bifold sizes and a step-by-step method on how to measure a bifold door.
Understanding Bifold Door Sizes
Bifold doors, known for their space-saving and aesthetic qualities, are popular choices in modern residential and commercial buildings. These doors consist of panels that are connected by hinges and run along a track, folding into each other when opened.
Bifolds come in a variety of sizes to accommodate different openings and spatial requirements. Understanding the terminology associated with bifold door sizes is essential for selecting the right fit for your space.
Bifold doors can be used in various applications, including closets, pantries, and room dividers. They are particularly useful in areas where space is at a premium, but where it is also desirable to have the option of a larger opening.
Before delving into the standard sizes and measurement techniques, it’s essential to understand the components:
- Panels: These are the main sections of the door, which fold on one another.
- Hinges: Connect the panels together.
- Track: Runs along the top of the door frame and guides the movement of the doors.
- Pivot Pins: Located at the top and bottom of the door to help it pivot open and closed.
- Handles: Used to manually open and close the doors.
Once you understand the importance of sizes for bifolds, you can check out a bifold door range that suits you and your home.
Panel Width
This refers to the width of each individual panel of the bifold. Common panel widths range from 700 mm to 1000 mm, but custom sizes are also available to suit specific preferences and can exceed 1 meter.
Overall Width
The overall width of the bifold door is the sum of the widths of all panels when the door is fully open. This measurement ensures that the door fits seamlessly into the designated space.
There is an array of options for the overall width of the bifold door, with average sizes being between 1,800mm and 3,000 mm, but some can be made as long as 8,000mm for bifold doors with more panels.
Opening Width
The opening width is the space width that the bifold door will cover when fully opened. It’s essential to measure this accurately to determine the number of panels required and avoid any fitting issues.
Track Length
The track length is the length of the track on which the bifold door panels slide open and closed. This measurement should match the opening width to ensure smooth operation.
How to Measure Up
Accurate measurements are paramount when installing bifold doors to ensure a perfect fit. Follow these steps to measure up for bifolds effectively:
Measure the Opening Width
Use a tape measure to determine the width of the opening where the bifold doors will be installed. Measure at the top, middle, and bottom of the opening to account for any irregularities.
Measure the Height
Measure the height of the opening from the floor to the top of the frame. Again, take measurements at multiple points to ensure accuracy.
Consider Clearance
Allow for clearance above the opening to accommodate the track and hardware of the doors. Typically, a clearance of at least 1 inch is recommended.
Check for Level
Use a level to ensure that the opening is plumb and level. Any discrepancies in the alignment can affect the installation and operation of the bifold doors.
Check for Squareness
It’s important to check if the opening is square because an uneven frame can affect the operation of the doors. Measure diagonally from each top corner to the opposite bottom corner (both diagonals should be the same). If there’s a significant difference between these two measurements, adjustments may need to be made to the frame before installation.
Consult a Professional
If you’re unsure about taking accurate measurements or if the installation involves structural modifications, it’s best to consult a professional installer.
Customizing Bifold Doors to Fit Your Space
In addition to standard sizes, many manufacturers offer custom bi fold patio doors tailored to specific requirements. Customization options include:
Panel Configuration
Choose the number of panels and their arrangement to suit the layout of your space. 2, 3, and 4-panel bi-folds are the most common, but many suppliers allow bigger configurations to take up larger spaces.
Material and Finish
Select from a variety of materials, including wood, aluminum, and uPVC, as well as a range of finishes to complement your interior design.
Each bifold material has its own pros and cons, but aluminum bifold doors are becoming an increasingly popular option due to their durability, energy efficiency, and sleek appearance, on top of being a cheaper option compared to timber.
Hardware Options
Customize the hardware finishes and styles to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your bifold doors. Trickle vents and integral blinds can also be added, which both bring practical benefits to your home and doors.
The measurement for integral blinds would be as long as the bifold doors since they would cover all of the panels and would be integrated between the glass panels.
Custom Bifold Door Sizes
Once measurements are taken, compare them to the standard sizes available. If your measurements do not match the standard sizes perfectly, select the next larger size and plan to trim the door or adjust the opening accordingly.
Trimming a bifold door requires careful planning and precise execution, as uneven trimming can lead to operational issues.
Selecting the right size for bifold doors and measuring accurately for installation are crucial steps that can significantly affect the functionality and appearance of the doors.
By following the steps outlined above, homeowners and installers can ensure that the chosen bifold doors will fit well and function smoothly, enhancing the usability and aesthetics of any space.
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