As interior folding doors continue to increase in popularity it’s great to give customers some ideas of what to look for in an internal folding door, otherwise known as an internal bifold door – before buying. Here are some pointers to guide you through the specifying and buying process with interior wooden bifold doors:
What sizes can I get?
As with any timber product, always look at standard product sizes to keep costs down. The depth and range of options available with internal bifold doors is huge and there are a number of specialist internet retailers who have the technical know-how to be able to assist and guide you through the process of selecting the best product for your needs. Internal bifold door specification is far more flexible than with exterior bifold doors as doors and frames can be modified by an experienced joiner to meet your size requirements. Here at Vibrant Doors we have one of the widest range of options and sizes covering structural opening widths from 1681mm (66”) right up to 4198mm (165”). All products are manufactured to a standard height at 2084mm. Having said all this, our frames and doors are trimmable to some degree and you can fit most opening widths with a little more restriction on height down to 2040mm. If you are in any doubt call your supplier and they should be able to advise.
What door patterns are available?
We have many different patterns of door, from a white primed full height glazed door, right through to some of the more intricate patterns such as Lincoln internal bifold, or even the 4 light oak shaker glazed option. Whether they are unfinished, primed, or even fully prefinished there will be an option, at the right price to meet your budget. Generally most 533mm (21”), 610mm (24”) or 686mm (27”) doors can be made into a roomfold system. This gives you a huge variety to choose from and allows you to match your roomfold sytem to existing internal doors within the room for a complete look.
How do the doors open?
Internal bifold door systems come in a range of optional door opening patterns and are general fully reversible – meaning that you decide which way the doors fold by how you install the hardware in your room. General standards on the market follow exterior bifold doors and these are 3+0, 3+1, 4+1, 5+0, 5+1 and 3+3 – all depending on the width available.
Trackless or Tracked Systems
There are many different systems on the market, but the NUVU roomfold system leads the way on value for money, flexibility of offer and quality – with all doors being offered in a solid core door, not like some of the cheaper “hollow” core systems which are air filled and very light. The NUVU roomfold system is a trackless system, which means you do not need any base track running across the floor of your room. This gives great benefits to those who would normally want to leave the doors fully open because you do not see any kind of threshold strip, or metal track, which allows your flooring to run unhindered between 2 rooms. Always ask the supplier about this before you buy.
The key with any of these systems is that you always want the running gear to be in the head of the frame, so you get smooth free running doors, which you can shut and keep shut by simple drop bolts in the head and floor as required.
Accessibility
We regularly get asked for door patterns where there are even number of doors ( 2 + 2 is a regular), whilst these can be supplied, several months later many customers call because they realise it is awkward to have to fold 2 doors open to be able to walk through them, so we would always advise you consider this before buying! You really should have a daily frequent access door option, unless of course your doors will be folded open most of the time. You need to make a conscious decision on this as part of your product selection process.
Clearance for flooring and installation clearances
The NUVU system design allows between 12 and 19mm of clearance underneath the doors for your floor covering. So provided when you install the frame, your jambs are touching the concrete or floorboards underneath, you know you have enough room for carpets or wooden flooring underneath. Always take this into consideration as it will save time trimming the underside of the doors to clear your flooring. Other system designs have different clearances so always check before you buy!
Clear or Frosted glass
If you’re looking for internal bifold doors with glass, there are many types of glass available, you need to consider what level of privacy you need so you can decide on whether you need clear glass or frosted glass. Both glass types allow the light to pass, but frosted glass gives you privacy from the room next door. Many people want glazed doors, but others do want complete privacy and have no issues with light flowing through, and so use solid panelled doors. Another tip on glazed doors is always to look for toughened glass, this gives you additional safety should there be a breakage for whatever reason.
Installing your system
All top hung door systems need to be fixed thoroughly through to a lintel, steel, or heavy timber section as these need to be strong enough to take the weight of the doors. Many people look to install these types of systems in stud wall openings. The installer needs to take care to ensure that there are sufficient noggins above the frame head to tie the head of the frame to the floor joists or roof joists above so that over time the doors/frame doesn’t start to sag under the weight of the doors. A competent joiner should be able to install a system in a day easily, obviously allowing extra time. A simple phone call can lead you in the right direction, and all you need to do is ask and we can help, with professionals who work with these products every day.
Round up of tips:
- Pick a pattern that suits the look you want.
- Consider either a trackless or tracked system.
- Consider your opening size and with it the door opening pattern you need.
- Consider glass type for light and privacy requirements.
- Consider clearance at floor level for your floor covering.
- Always use a competent joiner, especially where you are modifying a standard size to fit a special sized opening.
- Always ensure that the wall system/lintel will take the weight of the applied load.
- Seek advice from a specialist BEFORE you buy to ensure you get exactly what you want.
Whichever product you take, always enjoy the benefits of internal bifold doors systems. Good luck with your purchase!
John – Vibrant Doors
