The Anatomy Of A Bi-Fold Door: What Are The Different Parts?
Bi-fold doors have gained immense popularity in recent years due to their aesthetic appeal, space-saving capabilities, and versatility in both residential and commercial settings. Did you know that installing new bi-fold doors can also increase the value of your property?
These innovative doors consist of multiple panels that fold together when opened, creating a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. But what parts are they made of, and how do bi-fold doors work?
What parts are bi-fold doors made up of?
Bi-fold doors are a complex amalgamation of multiple components, each serving a specific purpose in ensuring the door's smooth operation and structural integrity.
Door panels
The door panels are the primary components of a bi-fold door. These are the individual sections that fold and unfold to create the door's opening and closing motion. The number of panels in a bi-fold door can vary, but a typical configuration includes two to eight panels, depending on the desired width and design.
At Flying Doors, you can customise the size and number of panels on your doors. For example, you could choose 6ft with 3 panels, or 12ft with four panels.
Hinges
Hinges are crucial for allowing the door panels to pivot and fold. Bi-fold doors are equipped with multiple hinges that are strategically placed along the vertical edges of each panel. These hinges enable the door to give way as smoothly as it is opened or closed.
Top and bottom tracks
Top and bottom tracks serve as guides for the door panels, ensuring that they move along a predefined path. The top track is typically attached to the doorframe's header, while the bottom track is affixed to the threshold or floor. These tracks are essential for maintaining the alignment and stability of the bi-fold door.
Rollers
Rollers are attached to the top edge of each door panel, allowing them to glide along the top track. These rollers play a crucial role in minimising friction and ensuring that the door panels move effortlessly when operated.
Handles
Handles are installed on the leading door panel, making it easy for users to grip and operate the bi-fold door. Depending on the design and manufacturer, handles may vary in style and materials.
Locking mechanism
To enhance security and privacy, bi-fold doors are equipped with locking mechanisms. These mechanisms can include simple key-operated locks, thumb-turn locks, or multi-point locking systems, depending on the level of security required.
All of our Flying Doors bi-folds come with a high-security 5 point locking system with a 5 point locking system with additional shootbolt locks fitted to the folding doors.
Aligners
Aligners, sometimes referred to as pivot guides or pivoting brackets, are small components installed on the top and bottom edges of the leading door panel. Their primary function is to ensure that the door panels align correctly when closing and prevent them from swinging out of place.
What are the aligners for in a bi-fold door?
Aligners, as mentioned earlier, play a crucial role in the operation of bi-fold doors. These unassuming components are often overlooked but are instrumental in ensuring the smooth and proper functioning of the door. Here's what aligners are for:
Panel alignment
Aligners are responsible for aligning the door panels correctly when the door is in the closed position. They ensure that each panel lines up precisely with the adjacent one, creating a seamless appearance and preventing gaps or misalignment.
Prevention of swinging
One of the key challenges with bi-fold doors is preventing them from swinging out of place when opening or closing. Aligners serve as pivot guides, preventing the panels from deviating from their intended path.
Improved durability
By keeping the door panels in alignment, aligners reduce wear and tear on the hinges and rollers, prolonging the lifespan of the door components.
Aesthetic appeal
Properly aligned panels contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal of the bi-fold door, ensuring that it looks tidy and well-kept.
In summary, aligners are essential components that contribute to the functionality, longevity, and appearance of bi-fold doors.
Common bi-fold door problems with simple fixes
Over time, bi-fold doors can sometimes experience a few issues as they move to and fro along their track. This can happen even with high-quality bi-fold doors, but they can be quickly solved by keeping up with their maintenance.
Make sure to clean tracks and rollers, lubricate, and tighten loose hardware. It’s also important to adjust misaligned or sagging doors, and check and adjust catches or latches for secure closure too.
For broken glass panels, handle with care, measure for a replacement, and follow manufacturer guidelines or hire a professional. Replace worn weatherstripping with compatible material, and ensure regular maintenance ensures proper bi-fold door function.
Easy fixes to help resolve these issues, take a look at our guide to common bi-fold door problems.
High-quality bi-fold doors from Flying Doors
If you’re looking to upgrade your doors, it’s essential to choose high-quality uPVC bi-fold doors to keep your home cosy and energy-efficient during the colder months.
Here at Flying Doors, we put a lot of care into creating unique bi-fold door designs that are not only stylish but also great at conserving energy. We've got you covered when it comes to delivery with our in-house courier – it's secure and fast. Plus, we're so confident in the quality of our doors that we offer a generous 10-year warranty on all purchases.
Feel free to get in touch with us or take a look at our range of fantastic uPVC bi-fold doors today.