Monday, September 5, 2011

Frosted Glass Closet Doors For Style and Sophistication

Frosted glass closet doors add style and sophistication to any room in your home. Because many of them are made of recycled materials, they are eco-friendly as well. Recycled materials for these doors include the wood or metal frame as well as the tempered glass. The glass is tempered to make it more resistant to breaking if accidentally hit and to prevent it from shattering in the event of a break. These doors come in a wide variety of styles such as French, sliding, bifold, bypass and swing. Each style lends their own special touch to your room's decor.

bifold doors lowes

The best place to use frosted glass closet doors is on a bedroom closet, wardrobe or a living room closet. They hide away any mess that may be lurking behind the closed doors while lending a contemporary look to your home. The most common of these doors for the bedroom closet is sliding, bypass and bifold varieties. French doors are better suited to a room divider than to a closet doorway. This is because of the center door jamb that is usually found between the two doors. Bifold and sliding doors open to expose the entire doorway while the bypass kind generally only allow access to one side of the doorway at a time.

BIFOLD DOORS

The dimensions of your frosted glass closet doors are extremely important. Because they can not be trimmed to fit your doorway, the precise dimensions must be taken. Shims can be used on the framework to give you a slight differential in the dimensions but it is best to be as accurate as possible. Retailers will be able to help you take the measurements of your doorway before ordering your doors. You should also have a budget in mind so your retailers can match prices to your budget. Looking at these doors blindly, with no budget in mind can get expensive without knowing. Prices vary greatly depending on the styles and materials used in their construction.

Most modern homes are designed with a wardrobe in the bedroom instead of a simple closet. Frosted glass closet doors are perfect for these. You can open the side you want without exposing the other side. They provide your new home with a contemporary style in keeping with modern times. Many of the frosted closet doors available come in a variety of designs. Some come with a single pane of frosted glass in the center surrounded by smaller panes and broken up by a wood frame. The framed panels make it easier to repair a single pane of glass should breakage occur.

Sliding, bifold and bypass doors can be purchased in kits or systems which comes with all the materials needed to install them except the tools. French and swing style doors usually do not come with jambs and are designed to be placed in existing framework. Regardless of the style of doors you choose, your home will have a new sense of sophistication that can only be found with frosted glass closet doors.

Frosted Glass Closet Doors For Style and Sophistication

BIFOLD DOORS

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Framed and Frameless Bi-Fold Shower Doors

Bi fold shower doors are those that fold in one place with a hinge, creating two panels. The average width of is a total of 48 inches, the same as the average width of a tub or shower stall. They sit in a track at the top and bottom of the tub or stall in the bathroom, and fold up into about a 4 inch space on either side of the track when opened all the way.

masonite bifold doors

Bi fold doors are normally used in bathrooms or basement areas as a replacement to shower curtains or sliding doors. The sliding type take up more space when open because when open they will still take up 24 inches each, whereas bi fold shower doors only take up about 4 inches when open. This leaves more open area for a person to maneuver into the shower area, and this can be important for those with mobility or weight issues. Prices for bi fold bathroom shower doors will vary based on materials, finishes, installation practices and types of glass.

BIFOLD DOORS

Many professional companies offer the installation of these in the bathroom. Options include accordion style, magnetic enclosures, framed and frameless models as well as different colors and types of glass. The glass used for all shower doors comes in 3 depths: 1/4 inch, 1/8 inch and 3/8 inch. Remember that all shower doors are made of safety glass, therefore just because the door is thicker does not mean it is safer. All are made the same in essence, and the safety glass that the law requires these be made from has to pass the same testing, regardless of the thickness. So if you cannot afford the thicker glass, you will still have the same safety rating.

Glass used in bi fold shower doors ranges from colonial glass and clear glass to beveled glass, frosted and even smoked glass. Mirrored glass can be found and used, but is considered dated and therefore many homeowners do not use this material. Updating your bathroom by the replacement of your shower doors with bi fold can add up to ,100 to the equity of your home. So the small investment made now in the home can be seen for years to come when it is appraised.

Framed bi fold doors look like the sliding kind, except instead of having them slide over and take up 24 inches, they compact down into about 4 inches in width when opened. Frameless shower doors still have the same track at the top and bottom of the area, but are not framed around the glass with metal like what is seen in other framed models. This does not mean that the seal is not present, as many professionals will show you the sealant used to create the invisible bond. When the doors are closed completely, there is no more chance of water escaping from frameless doors than there is with framed doors.

Framed and Frameless Bi-Fold Shower Doors

BIFOLD DOORS

Fireplace Doors

Fireplace doors are an alternative to regular fireplace screens. When I originally set out to find all the necessary accessories to go along with my new fireplace, I thought that I would simply purchases a traditional fireplace screen. Yet, after looking at the various fireplace doors that are available, I decided that these would make a more attractive fireplace.

masonite bifold doors

There are fireplace doors that are single doors that cover the entire fireplace opening, and there are two piece fireplace doors that open on hinges with the connecting seam running down the middle of the fireplace opening.

BIFOLD DOORS

These two types of fireplace doors make up the vast majority of fireplace doors, yet there are some more contemporary and unique styles that don't quite fir into either of these categories. Additionally, not all fireplace doors are sold as complete units. With some types of fireplace doors, you will have to purchase the framing portions separately from the individual fireplace door pieces.

Be sure that you know which type of fireplace doors that you are purchasing, as to whether or not they will require additional framework to complete the opening and door installation. Some fireplace doors do come with everything that is required to complete your fireplace.

Of course buying the individual fireplace doors separate from the finishing framing pieces has its advantages. With this type of fireplace doors, you have more room to customize the design specifically to your liking.

There are fireplace door frames in nearly every type of material and finish imaginable, from gold, silver and pewter, to iron and many other types of materials. Whether your décor is dark, light or somewhere in between, there are fireplace door frames for every style or taste you may desire.

Though many people consider fireplace curtains to fit more in the fireplace screen category, I believe they fit more accurately within the fireplace doors category, as they can be placed in either a closed, open or partly open position.

A more expensive, yet truly unique look is to incorporate bi-fold glass fireplace doors. These lovely fireplace doors contain four panels of polished and tempered glass panels. Each half of these fireplace doors bends in the middle and slides along ball bearings located at the top and bottom of the doors. These typically also feature draft control at the bottom section of the doors.

I found just the right set of fireplace doors at http://fireplacesnow.com and was about to place an order when I decided to take a look and see if I couldn't find the same set of doors for less on eBay. I didn't think I'd be able to save that much, if any, money, but also thought it was worth a try.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the exact same model of bi-fold fireplace doors were for sale on eBay, and from a reputable seller, nonetheless. Ok, so these fireplace doors had been used, which is not what many people would want to buy. For me, this was a very attractive option, as they cost more than ,000 when brand new. I walked away with a gently used set of fireplace doors for about 0. I certainly recommend perusing all the various options before committing to one.

Fireplace Doors

BIFOLD DOORS

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Bifold Doors - Modern Design Features

Adding bifold doors to your home can not only completely transform your living space, but it can add value to the sale price too. Old-fashioned folding doors would often present many problems to the user. They were difficult to use, not very versatile, short-lived and leaky. Luckily, technology has advanced and the modern bifolding door is far superior to past designs.

bifold doors home depot

Wooden Concertina Doors

BIFOLD DOORS

The wood bi-fold doors of the past would cause issues such as the door sticking, the door rotting, mould growing and frames becoming twisted and out-of-shape. Due to the nature of the wood, changes in temperature cause the wood to warp and bend. This leads to the problem of doors sticking or twisting. Water which becomes trapped in the frame leads to the issues of mould and rotting.

Nowadays, the wood is split into different pieces, placed so the grains run against each other and then glued back together under a high pressure. This process is known as laminating and it prevents the frame from changing shape when exposed to changes in temperature. After being laminated, the wooden frames are then treated with anti-rot and anti-fungal treatments to prevent the issues caused by exposure to water. Modern designs include a water ingress within the frame, which prevents water and condensation from building up internally.

Aluminium Folding Doors

The aluminium bifold doors of the past would be susceptible to frequent build-ups of condensation. As well as this issue with condensation, they were also not very energy efficient.

Modern aluminium bifold door frames are thermally-broken which improves their energy efficiency and reduces the build-up of condensation.

uPVC Folding Sliding Doors

uPVC bifold doors are the best of modern technology. More affordable than the other types of folding door, the uPVC frame provides condensation-free, energy efficient functionality that is versatile and suits many different situations. The easy-to-maintain profiles offer a modern appearance to homes that need smartening up.

Clad Bifolding Doors

Clad bifolding doors are made up of two different materials. The main frame is usually the strongest mater and usually the external side for strength and stability. The cladding is then clipped on to the inside with glazing beads. The example I am going to use today is aluminium and timber clad bifold doors. In this example, the aluminium makes up the main external frame. It provides a strong, secure and virtually maintenance-free exterior, while the wooden interior offers a very attractive appearance. The wooden interior can easily be clipped off, so it can be sanded and repainted or swapped for a whole other species of wood without needing to replace the entire door. This offers a permanent, long-lasting door that can easily be changed to suit your interior style. This is especially useful if you change the style of your interior seasonally, or if you are planning to sell your house and wish to appeal to as wider audience as possible.

In conclusion, bifold doors have improved a lot over the years and now offer an attractive and viable addition to your home that is functional and long-lasting. They can now be used to open up virtually any part of your home or business, inside or out, to create a large, unrestricted entrance.

The range of different materials used in the bifolds of today allows consumers to choose the door which best suits their budget and their situation.

Bifold Doors - Modern Design Features

BIFOLD DOORS

Tips For Buying Bi-Fold Shower Doors

Bi-fold shower doors are doors that fold up with a hinge. Once folded, it creates 2 panels. The standard width of the bi-folds is 48 inches, which is it is equal to the standard size of the shower stall or bathtub. The bi-fold door is usually placed on the track at the base and top part of the bathtub or shower area of the bathroom. This type of door is typically utilized in bathrooms in place of sliding doors or shower curtains. The sliding bathroom door can occupy more area when opened wide and each panel will cover 24 inches on each side.

louvered bifold doors

On the other hand, the bi-fold doors just take up 4 inches in total. With just a small area occupied by the bi-fold door, there is more space for the person to get in or get out of the shower area. This is especially helpful for bathroom users who are overweight or have some sort of mobility problem. The cost of shower doors differ according to finishes, materials used, and the system of installation.

BIFOLD DOORS

When shopping for bi-fold shower doors, some aspects such as the available space in the bathroom, price, and materials used must be given consideration. Obtaining the right type of door will add style and functionality to the bathroom. So, to get correct bi-fold door, here are other things to look at:

1. Style of the bi-fold door
Since these doors will affect the looks of your bathroom, you must also give importance to its design before buying it. There are so many styles and models available in the market today and it's just a matter of choosing the one that will blend well with your bathroom interiors.

2. The dimension of the bathroom and shower enclosure
You must get the precise dimension of your bathroom as well as the shower enclosure. If the available space is limited, the shower enclosure with bi-fold door is the ideal choice for your shower area.

3. Materials used for the bi-fold shower door
Shower doors like the bi-fold type are always exposed to different conditions including humidity and heat. They can also be drizzled with soaps and strong cleaning materials. For this reason, you must choose a shower door that is made from durable materials. Likewise, go for doors that are made from fiberglass or hardened glass.

4. The price
Before you settle for one model of the bi-fold shower door, try to compare prices from different sellers first. Comparing prices will help you get a good deal that will let you save some money. And to make things easier, you can go online where you will come across many sites that offer free price comparisons.

Finally, there are lots of bi-fold shower door sellers who often packaged their items with free installation. You can take advantage of this offer and save on cost and time. And remember, always check the reputation of the retailer from whom you will purchase your door especially if it is an online store. In doing so, you will avoid being scammed or getting items that are not worth what you had paid for.

Tips For Buying Bi-Fold Shower Doors

BIFOLD DOORS

Why Mirrored Sliding Closet Doors Are Worth Considering

Closets are pretty straightforward areas, which we build out of wood and other materials, where clothing and other objects are stored for easy access. It's an essential a part of the bedroom in the majority of homes and in larger homes, the closet is often large enough for dressing as well. Regardless, every closet should be large enough to accommodate hanging clothes and a few essential items.

bifold doors lowes

Why Sliding Doors Are So Popular

BIFOLD DOORS

Sliding doorways are the most common type of closet door. Installed on rollers with a steel track, the panels are slim and unobtrusive to the rest of a room. In smaller homes, installing sliding closet doors in the best way to maximize storage space without overwhelming the rest of the room it sits in like bifold closet doors and closet doors in hinges sometimes can.

Sliding Mirrors - Functional And Luxurious

In fact, sliding wardrobe doors don't just conserve room for you personally making your living space appear larger. A sliding mirror door, for example, can also serve a practical purpose, by integrating a mirror into the room, there's no need to install one elsewhere or set up a freestanding one, which can take up precious space.

The actual mirrored doorways could be framed or even unframed. Just be aware that unframed mirror closets require special care and should be avoided in children's rooms or high traffic areas.

Of course, mirrored sliding closet doors require special care and cleaning, but they're also spectacular to look at. Utilizing mirrored wardrobe doors will certainly cause you to space appear bigger and brighter. There are even decorative mirrors available with custom etched designs that create a truly dramatic effect.

Recycled Materials Make Mirrored Closets Eco-Friendly

More and more manufacturers are creating sliding mirror doorways out of reused items. This gives your closets an additional eco-friendly twist. From recycled glass, reclaimed wood and other reused materials including plastic, fiberglass and more - many of these recycled doors are not only less expensive, they're also longer lasting than their first-generation counterparts.

A Note About Cost

Generally speaking, doors made with mirrors are often more expensive when compared to a hinged wood doorways because they take more work to manufacture. They also take a bit more effort to install. While it's possible to purchase ready-made sliding closet doors with mirrors, it's actually recommended to have them custom-made, which of course, costs more money. Still, when it comes to home improvements, the cost of something in the short term could far outweigh the cost of not doing the job right in the long run.

Why Mirrored Sliding Closet Doors Are Worth Considering

BIFOLD DOORS

Friday, September 2, 2011

Bifold Closet Doors (Making Your Homes Look Tidy)

In generic terms, closets are any objects which help you to store almost all items of the house which you need, but don't want to put on display unlike other showpieces. This way, you can stock all the essentials at your home such as your clothes, jewelry, school and college books etc, thus making your home look tidier.

bifold doors

A bi-fold closet door is a closet door which has a main frame from which a panel is connected. The panel is connected in such a manner to certain hinges that those hinges fold outward, allowing both inward and outwardly movement through a pivoted end of the hinge. This happens since the doors have the capability to fold and refold.

BIFOLD DOORS

These doors are really mobile, which means that they can be designed according to the size of your closet. If you have a large one, you can give the measurements accordingly. If you're getting your house or your room repainted, you can always get newer closet doors with the color combination you want. Also, you can get lovely shapes. If you have a kid, you will definitely know how much a particular shape and color attracts kids.

There are different varieties of bi-fold closet doors. You generally get the following ones at any furniture shop:
o Flat Panel
o Mirrored
o French door type
o Raised Panel, as opposed to flat ones
o Louvered

The above mentioned styles of bi-fold closets can be fitted in your hall, kitchen etc. However, for your bedroom, you need larger sizes among the varieties mentioned since your bedroom stocks more material such as your personal belongings, personal files, certificates and reports, clothes etc.

For newer designed bedrooms which have particular symmetry, bi-fold closet doors with mirrors are preferable, since they give an elegant look to the whole room, and reflect a nice view as they have mirror on them. It might not give that kind of effect on simple rooms, but a symmetrical room should have mirrored bi-fold doors.

A few benefits that bi-fold closet doors offer, which other simpler doors might not:
1. They make your room look more artistic, making your image as a person of immense interest in architecture!
2. Access to all parts of the closet, since these doors open completely, letting you access any part of the closet easily.
3. More variety ensures that you get the best for your room. You won't have to settle for something that looks odd amidst your well designed room. In fact, this bi-fold closet door will enhance the overall look of your room.
4. You can make them in any pattern you want, making your rooms look pretty.

Every thing which offers advantages offer at least one disadvantage, and same is the case with bi-fold closet doors. Since they have hinges made out of steel and metals, they have a risk of rusting during rains and if used over a long period of time. They have to be replaced timely.

Bifold Closet Doors (Making Your Homes Look Tidy)

BIFOLD DOORS