Sliding doors vs Bifold doors

9 years ago

When you want to embrace a modern style for your indoor-outdoor space, there are two main options...

One opens more easily while the other offers a greater open space.

Which way do you slide?

Sliding doors

Bifold doors

Featured Answer

User

9 years ago

Bifold doors look cool, but are hard to use in climates that have snow or insects.

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Comments (26)

PRO
Uncommon Doors
9 years ago
You just cant beat having an entire opening (nearly). I do like sliding pocket doors for an exterior opening however they are very expensive.
Luke Buckle thanked Uncommon Doors
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Either one serves it's purpose for different situations. I sometimes prefer stacking sliders because when they are closed (which is most of the time), they have wider glass panels, so form nicer windows. But bi-folds give you a wider opening when actually open - eg. 100% open rather than just 2/3 open. Stacking sliders can usually have sliding flyscreens as well which is sometimes a preference depending on which part of the country you're in if you want to keep insects & flies out!
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I couldn't tick one or the other of the boxes – I think the choice has to be made contingent on so many variables. In fact we have painted timber, double-glazed bifolds (with a fabulous retractable pleated fly-screen) at the end of the dining room leading out onto a terrace and a painted timber, double-glazed slider (with a timber-framed sliding fly-screen) on the other side of the kitchen (but on the same axis) opening onto a raised timber deck. Each works really well in terms of function and aesthetics but they would not be interchangeable as the different locations determined which was more suitable – but they have been made by the same highly skilled window craftsman and have given us nothing but pleasure. And on a hot, steamy evening with both open we have the most wonderful cross ventilation.
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We have 3600 bifolds, made up of 4 bifolding & 1 fixed door. The fixed door is great as you don't have to unhinge the bifolds all the time if you just want to go in and out without actually having the doors completely open. Just a "heads up", they are a pain when it comes to window coverings & flyscreening. Roller blinds are about all that work unless you have room on either side for the bulk of curtains.
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Hi Jiminico, I'm not known for my photography skills! I took these this morning as I was running out the door. Excuse the visual clutter! The screens are stacked back (not all the way)- so you can get an idea of the size of the opening when all is stacked back. To have bifolds here would of meant 4 panels (lots of frame and less glass), then the encroachment of the panels into the room when they are folded back.
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User
9 years ago
Prefer sliding for ease of keeping out insects and ability to use part of that wall for furniture placement.
Sasha G.
9 years ago
Sliding doors are just so convenient.
AmaSiy siy
9 years ago
Busy building. I chose sliding doors over bifold doors. Wanted the sleekness of sliding doors and space saved. Worked out more expensive.
kimonoreincarnate
9 years ago
We're putting in sliding doors, they just seemed easier with a young child in the house.
User
9 years ago
What about one of these mid century modern doors?
Julie Polson
9 years ago
We have bi fold which makes it extremely hard to have a fly wire screen. I would prefer sliding, especially in Aussie with all our flies.
Rose Bee
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
my husband and I have been having this discussion for about 12 months. Neither of us wanted the lip of sliding doors, and weren't sure of bi-folds. We didn't need security as it was just to divide an outdoor living area so that in the winter time part of it becomes a 'sunroom'.We have just (today) purchased our idea of a compromise - Accolade Screens from Adelaide. Aluminium framed pvc screens which, because they are light, hang from the top, with no bottom frames or lips, I will post a photo when installed. We already had the concrete floor laid so didn't want to be bothered cutting in a channel for sliding doors plus we are in a very sandy rural area and I could see I would have to keep vacuuming all the red sand out of the channel.
PRO
My Beautiful Abode
9 years ago
Wide Sliders in a timber frame appeal to me more... and when they can slide into or along a wall for the whole opening they are divine. From the view of window dressing though; I find bi-folding doors to be more awkward.
melwishes
9 years ago
chookchook2 - now I want to know what happens next......
User
9 years ago
I can't tell you unless you get in the cone of silence with me.
melwishes
9 years ago
Sounds freaky....
User
9 years ago
Only on Fridays. Other days its normal.
Tamsicle
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
We built a new extension ourselves (hubby is an apprentice carpenter) which has a kitchen facing out to the pool. We got 6 panel stacker doors (4600W x 2700H) so there ends up being a stack that is only about 800W leaving an opening of around the 3800 mark, Frame is about 300 deep all up and that's with stacking screens too .

We set the frame into the concrete so we wouldn't have to step over it, This could be done on a timber floor also by taking out the floor boards and setting it into the floor joists.

Final result is great, they came in at a cost of $4200
PRO
ALLKIND Joinery
9 years ago
If you want to open your home to the great outdoors, bifold doors are probably the best option. Bifolds allow you to open up an entire wall, and offer almost unlimited creative scope. If you're concerned about insects, the Centor S1E eco-screen is one of the best systems on the market - they're fully retractable and ideal for use with timber bifold doors. As for the debate of Timber vs Aluminum, for me it's about the difference in environmental impact - the production of aluminium results in 8x more greenhouse emissions and wastes 300x more water than timber production
PRO
Ben Wersching
8 years ago
Sliding doors for me. More configuration options, less vertical lines, ease of operation, and with some clever design, you can still get the same opening size.
Julie Huynh
8 years ago
Talking about conventional sliding vs stacker - sliding is cheaper, stacker has wider opening, stackers need regular adjusting, stacker may require more door panels / frames

Architectural grade stuff - sliding can deliver the sleekness if the door/s are concealed beyond the wall - http://lockyerarchitects.com.au/project/post-post-war-house-2014/
Julie Huynh
8 years ago
Got my terms mixed up, should have said bifolds rather than stacker. Stacker is a variant of sliding.
Jessie Harrison
7 years ago
I have a whole wall that I need to block off with some sort of door. I'm thinking that a bi-fold door would be awesome. However, my husband kind of wants a sliding door. I just think how cool it'd be to have a whole wall made up of a door that could easily be tucked away when needed. This would make outdoor barbecues a lot easier. It would sure save me from having to open the door every time. http://www.superiorwindows.com.au/content/Products/BifoldDoors.aspx
PRO
Finer Details Concierge and Organiser Services
7 years ago
Bifold give an unobstructed view and more useable space
LesleyH
7 years ago
Fly screening bifold doors can be very expensive. We have a 2m floor to ceiling sliding door that slides into a wall cavity. Also expensive to flyscreen this as well..
Ibrahim Hassan
6 years ago
I recommend getting a quick audit from a professional, everything said here is obviously very useful but I always find it a bunch more helpful to get a personalised phone call. Most people are happy to talk for 20 minutes and most of the time it saves me hours and hours of research. I went with these guys when talking about it, installed the doors myself but they really saved me some time http://www.rylocknunawading.com.au/
Mumof2g
6 years ago
Depends where you live. If you live anywhere that is partial to flies, mosquitos, moths etc (as in most of Australia!), I would get sliding stacker doors so you can add sliding fly screen doors (also extra layer of security). We chose this over bifolds several years ago - no regrets at all. We have three panels so even when the doors are all the way open stacked up, there's still quite a big opening.
PRO
Taurus Installations
5 years ago
You will get a great result with both. however, with a Sliding stacking door you can get a sliding security screen which you can't do with Bifold doors. Something to consider.
abraham7455
5 years ago
Does anyone know how aluminium sliding doors stack up when compared to more traditional bifold doors? Calling these lads to get it installed but I'd like to do it myself and want to know how difficult it is, thanks! http://www.rylocknunawading.com.au/

Sliding doors vs Bifold doors

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Comments (26)

Uncommon Doors

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