Can you have bi-fold doors for a bay window? In short, yes you can! When you think of bi-fold doors, you probably think of a huge expanse of glass. Offering unobstructed views and access to your garden when open, bi-fold doors are an increasingly popular choice. And it’s because they’re so versatile and adaptable that more homeowners are choosing them. Let’s dive in and find out more, below.
Bi-folding doors in a bay window
There are hundreds of different combinations and styles of bi-folding doors to choose from which makes them the ideal solution for a bay window.
But there are a few things you need to be aware of so you get the best design, style, and finish when choosing a bi-fold door for your bay.
How do bi-fold doors operate?
Bi-fold doors consist of at least two doors, mounted on rubbers so that when you open them, they will with stack (open) inwards or outwards. There are other additions you might want to consider to make operating the doors safer, such as child-safe hinges.
How the doors are split will also make a difference in how they operate and suit your home. They can either split on one side or split in different places so you don’t have to open the entire space each and every time. For example, you might just want to open one or two panels to increase airflow in the room.
You can split them so you have an equal stack of panels on either side of the open or split them so you have more on one side than the other, the choice of which is entirely dependent on how you will use the bi-fold doors in your bay window.
How do bi-fold doors work on a bay window?
Generally speaking, there are three conventional shapes of bi-fold doors in bay windows:
- Straight bi-folds – these are the style you’ll see on adverts and commercials as they create the huge open expanse that many homeowners are looking for. Indeed, they can completely transform the space.
- Corner bi-fold doors – as the name suggests, these will open the room on two sides. There may be a need for a corner post or, if you want a wide-open space, they will be held up by a cantilever mechanism. Both sides of the ‘corner’ can be operated independently.
- Bay bi-folds – these have three straight sides with each one consisting of bi-folding panels. Again, they can all be operated independently.
Bespoke bi-fold doors for bay windows
As yet, bi-fold doors for bay windows are not as commonplace as those for larger expanses of wall.
They need to be specifically designed and installed for your bay, window but this isn’t a bad thing – you can configure the openings that you want, including whether they open inward and outward, as well as the style and finish that you want.
In terms of configuration, it makes sense to have the panels stacking equally on either side of the window, but this depends on whether the bay window is central to the wall or offset.
Bi-fold doors are an option for bay windows, so why not take a look at more ideas with our team?