Bi-fold Doors

A bi fold door solves one specific problem: an opening where there is no room for a door to swing. The leaf is split vertically, hinged in the middle, and it folds back on itself against the reveal instead of sweeping into the room. That makes it the standard answer for wardrobes, understairs cupboards, small en suites and utility rooms. There are 15 internal bi fold doors here from LPD and Deanta, from £131.35 to £624.

How a bi fold works

Two leaves are joined by hinges. One leaf is pivoted at the top and bottom of the frame, the other is guided along a track in the head of the opening. Pushing the door folds the pair together and pulls them clear of the aperture. Because nothing swings out, the clear floor area in front of the opening stays usable, which is the whole point. How bi fold doors work explains the mechanism in more detail.

The consequence to understand is that a bi fold never gives you the full opening. The folded leaves occupy depth at one side of the reveal, so the clear passage is narrower than the structural opening. On a wardrobe this does not matter. On a doorway you walk through carrying laundry, it does.

The track is not optional

A bi fold leaf is only half of the installation. It needs a track and pivot set matched to the door weight and the opening width, and the track has to be fixed into solid structure in the head of the opening. Track kits are listed separately, so check what your chosen door requires before ordering. See sliding door kit systems and door hardware.

Weight matters more here than on a hinged door, because the whole leaf hangs off a small number of points. A heavy solid core bi fold on an undersized track will drop, bind and eventually tear out. Match the gear to the door rather than to the price.

Where bi folds work and where they do not

They work on wardrobes and built in storage, where the alternative is a pair of doors that block the room when open. They work on understairs cupboards, where the swing would foul the stairs. They work on small en suites and cloakrooms, where a hinged door would hit the basin or the toilet. They work on utility rooms and airing cupboards.

They are less good as a main room door. The fold makes them slower to use, the central joint is a weak point for sound, and they never sit as solidly as a hinged leaf. For a bedroom or a living room, a hinged door from internal doors or a sliding arrangement from pocket doors is usually better. For a wide opening between two rooms, room dividers are the right product rather than a scaled up bi fold.

Finishes and glazing

The range covers white primed for painting, fully finished oak and painted options. Glazed bi folds exist and are worth considering on a cupboard that houses a boiler or a utility area, because they let you see in without opening. Solid leaves are quieter and hide contents, which is normally what a wardrobe wants.

Measuring

Measure the finished opening width and height, and measure the depth of the reveal at the hinge side, because that is where the folded leaves sit. Check the head of the opening is level and solid enough to take a track. Check the floor is finished, because the bottom pivot and the clearance are set from the finished floor level. Our door size guide lists standard sizes and how to measure a door covers the method.

Costs beyond the door

Budget for the track kit, the handles and, on a painted door, the paint and the labour to finish it. Bi folds have more edges than a single leaf, so finishing takes longer. Bi folding door costs and considerations works through the numbers, and bi fold door ideas covers where they look best.

Common questions

Can a bi fold be fire rated?

No. Where a rating is required, the opening needs a rated hinged doorset from fire doors.

Do bi folds need a floor track?

Internal bi folds normally run on a top track with a bottom pivot rather than a floor channel, which is one of their advantages. Check the specific kit.

How much of the opening do I lose?

Enough to matter on a narrow doorway. Allow for the folded leaf depth at the hinge side when you check clear access.

Can two bi folds meet in the middle?

Yes, on a wide wardrobe, folding to both sides. That needs a track and gear set specified for the arrangement.

Why is my bi fold sticking?

Usually the track is not level, the pivots are not aligned, or the door has taken up moisture because the edges were left unsealed. See how to stop doors swelling and installation information.