A Quick Guide to Bi-Fold, Sliding, Side-Hung and Pivot Doors

by Vitrocsa john Webmaster

Whether you are looking for doors to fit a wide aperture leading from your home to your garden or you want to create a stylish entranceway, there are many kinds of doors to choose from.

Furthermore, your final choice will not only have an impact on the appearance of your property, but it will also have an impact on how you use the space.

Before you rush into a decision, take a look at our quick guide to bi-fold, sliding, side-hung and pivot doors and see which will work best for your home and your family.

Bi-Fold Doors

Bi-fold or bi-folding doors have increased in popularity in recent years as their concertina style sliding mechanism offers the opportunity to open up around 90% of the aperture.

When the doors are fully open, each door ‘leaf’ simply stacks up against the other to take up the minimum of space. They also offer the option of being stacked on the same side of the aperture or being split so that they stack either side.

Sliding Doors

Sliding doors can consist of anything from two to four panels of large panes of glass which offer uninterrupted views. Some panels remain in situ while the others slide to open up the aperture. A popular choice in many modern homes, they can operate in several different ways.

· Slide – this is the most common option where the doors move along tracks in the frame.

· Tilt/Slide – the door can either slide across a track for access, or it can be tilted inwards to increase ventilation.

· Lift and Slide – these doors are opened by turning a handle which lifts the door up. This has the effect of reducing friction so that the door slides more easily.

Side-Hung Doors

Side-hung doors can either be hung so that they open inwards or outwards and single side-hung doors are most commonly used for front entrance doors or back doors. In addition, many people choose to hang double side-hung doors or French door to open up living spaces to external areas. French doors are often installed in more traditional properties.

Pivot Door Systems

Many architects and homeowners are choosing to install a pivot door system, especially in more contemporary homes. Pivoting doors are not only unusual and stylish, but due to their mechanism, it’s possible to use a wider door than would be possible with a standard side hung door.

As the name suggests, the door moves by turning on a pivot which is usually located about one-third of the way across the bottom of the door. They are an increasingly popular option for impressive entrance ways especially as they can be made of any material including glass.

The Bottom Line

Before you choose a new door, you need to think about the space you have available and how you’re going to use that space. However, you also have to think about your budget as some door systems are more expensive than others.