Exterior bi-fold doors vs standard patio doors

Exterior Bifold Door Hardware

Exterior doors that open onto a driveway, back garden or patio from a living space have steadily increased in popularity in recent years. This is not surprising since they are aesthetically pleasing and make it convenient for homeowners to access other areas of their property.

But most people need to remember there are other options available beyond standard patio doors. Specifically, bi-folding door systems.

An undeniable upgrade from their patio door cousins, bifold patio doors (also sometimes called ‘concertina doors’) are elegant, inventive, easy to maintain and even easier to install. Folding, sliding doors also hold a host of benefits that aren’t as clear without closer examination.

Awareness is key, though, and the more people become accustomed to seeing these types of sliding patio doors installed on properties, the more likely they will be to be blown away by them. Which is why now is the best time to add bi-folding door installation to your professional repertoire.

At Runners, we’re a leading supplier of kits for external bifold doors, like the Tommafold 60 Top Hung Exterior Bi-Folding Door System, and many other sliding door systems, so be sure to make us your number-one choice when seeking a bifold door system for your clients.

Why are exterior bifold doors the more appealing option?

Space saving vs swinging doors

Runners Sliding Door Systems open slider bifold doors

Traditional hinged doors or french doors have always been the go-to option for pretty much every door in the home.

And why wouldn’t they be? They’re easy to open and close, right? But the problem with traditional hinged doors in any setting, that most people don’t realise, is that the door itself causes spacial issues by taking up room in the surrounding areas every time it’s opened.

There’s a very specific axis of space that becomes closed off for fear of the doors hitting something should it be placed in the way. This can be a problem for both smaller internal rooms, but also greatly restricts space and design opportunities when used externally in a garden, for example.

With external bi-fold doors, this problem doesn’t exist. Because the doors fold seamlessly into each other, stacking neatly on one side, suddenly there is a plethora of space left available that may not have been present if traditional hinged doors were used instead.

Multiple door configurations

Internal Bifold Doors

Every property is different and, depending on the size and layout of the area in question, standard patio doors may look awfully off-putting and could restrict a client’s perceived creative options.

But with systems for external bifold patio doors, like the Tommafold 60 or Tommafold 90, your clients will have plenty of options for how to best utilise the door space they have or the door space they’re going to create.

Suited to door spaces 16 metres wide and 3 metres high, the Tommafold 60 system can house up to 16 bi-folding doors, making it an ideal option for clients no matter their bi-folding door needs. Traditional doors simply don’t offer this level of customisation.

Durable and long-lasting

Bifolding Doors

Given that bi-fold patio doors can be quite an investment for clients, it can be helpful for them to know that their new system, no matter how intricate it may seem, is built to last and will offer them years of pleasant bi-folding door experiences.

That’s exactly what they’ll be getting with a Tommafold Bi-Folding Door System. Crafted from sturdy materials, the aluminium bifold tracks offer perfectly smooth operation every time. Thanks to tracks made from aluminium, bifold doors of heavy weights can move easily as expected without wobbling or faltering. With rollers that have been tested up to 100,000 cycles, and hinges that have been tested up to 200,000 cycles, there’s absolutely no question when it comes to the longevity the Tommafold system delivers.

If that wasn’t enough, this bifold door set has a 10-year warranty and multi-point locking systems. For burglary-conscious clients, these systems have been reviewed and approved by SBD (Secured by Design), a national crime prevention initiative aiming to reduce the number of break-ins by promoting ultra-durable specifications. Upon close inspection, the Tommafold system meets these requirements, achieving ‘Police Preferred Specification’ status. 

This gives clients the peace of mind they need to make the right choice and install the bi-folding door system of their dreams.

Choose Runners for the best bifold door systems

If your clients need bi-folding door installation, look no further than Runners. We have the best selection of bi-fold door kits and sliding door systems on the market, offering you all the tools you need to deliver the systems customers need to an exceptional standard.

Take a look at the Tommafold system here, or click here to speak with a member of the Runners team if you require more product-specific information. We’re always happy to help.