Bi-Fold Doors Key Terms

Category and style terms to know when purchasing bi-fold doors

Bi-fold doors are multi-segment doors that slide on a track to fold open. These hinged doors can be used on the interior or exterior of a building. Bi-fold doors allow you to maximize your space since they require less room to open and close compared to typical doors. There are many types of bi-fold doors. The following terms will help you understand the various categories and uses of bi-fold doors.

Molded Paneled

Molded paneled bi-fold doors are made with a molded skin on the outside that is often composed of recycled materials. These doors have either smooth or wood-grained finishes and often come primed and ready to paint. Glass inserts are available with molded bi-fold doors.

Louvered bi-fold doors

Louvered bi-fold doors have slats in the door panels. These offer a ventilation feature that can be adjustable or fixed in place. The air flow allowed by louvered bi-fold doors is desirable for both interior and exterior doors.

Interior and exterior

Interior bi-fold doors are usually made of molded or slab wood and glass can be added inside panels or mirrors. Exterior bi-fold doors are usually made of aluminum or steel. Exterior bi-fold doors can also be made almost entirely of glass to provide the most amount of natural light.

Custom bi-fold doors

Exterior and interior bi-fold doors can be customized in every way -- including the type of wood, the finish, the color, the number and spacing of panels, the type of glass inserts and the size. Bi-fold doors can even go around corners, be set up as room dividers or custom-sized for air hangers or other industrial properties.

Vertical bi-fold doors

Vertical bi-fold doors are usually used on the exterior of industrial buildings. The "up" and "out" movement of the doors save a great deal of room. Vertical bi-fold doors are often used in the aviation industry as airplane hanger doors.

Full access bi-fold doors

Full access bi-fold doors fold back 180 degrees and are stored flat against the wall to maximize the door jamb space. There is no top track used with full access bi-fold doors.