Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Bi-Fold Closet Doors

If you need good access to your closets then bi-fold closet doors are the best as well as great space savers. Some closet doors have their advantages and other door types have disadvantages. For instance sliding closet doors only open on one side and other closets that have hinges on them present problems when opening them, especially if you have item on the outside of the closets. The bi-fold has proved to be the best as well as the most convenient.

wood bifold doors

If you only have room for a tiny closet then a bi-fold is a good option, and if you have a larger space you can then opt for a two door bi-fold as you can then put the doors on one sides of the other. It is not imperative to put two doors on. However, it will look far better and more modern as opposed to one door. Once the doors are up then all you need do is give the doors a coat of paint that matches with your decor.

BIFOLD DOORS

No matter if you have a large walk in closet or a reach in closet you can be rest assured that a bi-fold door will be your best choice. Once you have made up your mind as to what type of closet type door you want, then you should hire a professional to install the doors for you.

When a professional installs the closet doors you can be rest assured that the doors will give you optimum performance. In order to keep the doors working for long periods you should apply grease to the tracks, as this will allow the doors to slide easily.

Closet doors not only look good but are great space savers. Bi-folds are also affordable and pleasing to the eye, as well as the best choice you can make.

Bi-Fold Closet Doors

BIFOLD DOORS

How Bifold Doors Can Be Used to Introduce Colour to Your Home

Color is one of the most important elements of our visual perception, in fact, a whole area of study, called Color Theory, aims to understand the potential of color and its impact on us. Colors give us a lot of important information regarding our surroundings and other people and things, the observation of which is particularly relevant to artists and designers. There are general meanings that certain colors have the world over - for example red traffic lights meaning 'stop', while green indicates it is safe to proceed - but colors can also gain unique significance due to culture-specific symbolism or personal emotional experience. While the meaning of colors may change over time and according to individuals and location, one thing is for certain, they will always be a hugely central element of our lives and nowhere is this more apparent or important than in interior design.

bifold doors home depot

Before we get too carried away thinking about all the amazing effects that color can produce in the home or work space, it may be best to focus on just one common element of the modern interior, and explore how color can be introduced with bifold doors.

BIFOLD DOORS

Why bifold doors? Because today they are one of the most popular and functional doors that are found in work places and residential buildings everywhere. It's more than likely that there are several in your home already, so why not consider turning them into a delightfully colorful, as well as functional, asset.

The color options available in bifold doors depends on the type of folding door you buy, and, as with any decorative decision, you will need to be certain that you are picking the best style and matching color to enhance the atmosphere of the room in a positive way. Bifold doors are available in wooden, uPVC and aluminium panels that each have their own color ranges available.

Bifold doors made of uPVC have one of the more limited ranges of color, because the material itself contains the color and this cannot be changed after the door is formed. If you are interested in becoming adventurous with color, then uPVC is not ideal. That said, uPVC bifold doors do generally offer a good selection of white, off-white and faux wood tones, with the added bonus that they are easily maintained and will not require re-painting.

A warm ambience is always easily achieved with wooden interior detailing and wooden bifold doors are no exception. As with any wood product, an exceptional selection of colors is available in wooden bifolds because, unlike uPVC, colors are applied to the material once the door has been built. As well as being an ideal surface for the application of paint, wood has a classical and elegant appearance when lightly stained to add faint color while maintaining the texture of natural wood grain. It is even possible to change the color of wooden doors after they have been installed to reflect a new choice of décor because wooden frames can be sanded back to be re-painted or re-stained.

Aluminium bifold doors similarly offer a huge range of opportunities when it comes to experimenting with color. While a raw metallic look can be striking for modern interiors, aluminium bifold doors can also be coated with a variety of contemporary powder-coated color bases to create a vibrant surface that is contemporary and stylish while remaining completely functional. These smooth, factory sprayed color surfaces are very longer lasting, low maintenance and effervescent.

Finally, bifold doors are a perfect place to start introducing color into your home because they can be installed in a clad style that provides two different surfaces to work with. Clad bifold doors are aluminium on one side (normally the side that faces outdoors), and feature wood on the interior, meaning that the door can be two different colors, with an interior that can easily be modified to reflect future changes in color of surrounding interior design.

How Bifold Doors Can Be Used to Introduce Colour to Your Home

BIFOLD DOORS

What You Need to Know Before Installing Interior Bifold Doors

Interior bifold doors are a practical and economical choice for closets in small spaces. There's a variety of finishes from which to choose, including wood veneer and glass doors.

bifold doors lowes

Small areas such as a bedroom, entry or hallway usually don't have enough room for closets with swinging doors. That's where bifold doors are a practical alternative. Closest dimensions typically have openings of four, five or six feet. A bifold door is versatile as it has a right and a left section, which join in the center in an unfolding action. This allows for opening the door from either the right or left side.

BIFOLD DOORS

The selection of bifold door styles are the same as with traditional swing doors, with the exception of the type of hardware needed. Bifold doors are available in the typical hollow core interior style, which makes them an economical and lightweight choice. Durable and easy to install, bifold doors don't have to be drab looking. Some hollow core styles include decorative features such as raised panels, which add a stylish touch. There is also a variety of wood veneers available such as mahogany, maple and oak.

Solid core bifold doors are another option. Although they cost more than hollow core doors, they can be a good investment if sound is an issue. The term "solid core" describes the core portion of the door, which is a solid piece typically comprised of manufactured or particleboard wood. Some solid core doors have a steel core. The veneer on solid core doors is similar to that on hollow core doors but more closely resembles the wood finish of swing solid wood doors. This makes it easy to match the style of existing swing doors in the home.

You may want to purchase casing or trim for the doors and consider adding a doorstop to your list. Casings, trim and doorstops are not included in the bifold door package. These can add extra cost to your project, but do provide a more professional and finished look. However, it's not necessary to have these extras, especially if cost is an issue.

There are other uses for these doors besides closets. They're very useful between rooms that don't have doors and transition into other areas, such as into a living room or kitchen. It's also easy to combine bifold doors, using two to make up one larger door.

It's not difficult to install a bifold door and only a small number of tools are needed. The most expensive tool you might use will be a screw gun or power drill, but a manual screwdriver is sufficient. Of course, if you plan to add trim, there will be a bit more work and time involved. Adding casing, trim or a doorstop is an extra step.

These doors come in louvered, solid or other combinations of styles, making them easy to match with your existing doors. There are many varieties from which to choose, and they can add elegance and beauty to any home at a reasonable cost.

What You Need to Know Before Installing Interior Bifold Doors

BIFOLD DOORS

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Contemporary Louvered Closet Doors

The prices you pay for louvered closet doors will vary based on the retailers you visit and all options that are available. Many retailers offer custom jobs, so that any interior doors you have can be made exactly the way you specify to the dimensions of your current door.

wood bifold doors

Sliding, accordion style and retractable or multi-fold doors are more popular in older dwellings. These can be updated by adding new finishes or buying newer unfinished louvered closet doors. Modern and contemporary homes are seeing an increase in mirrored and unfinished as well as custom louvered closet doors. These include a wider array of colors and paints, finishes, and other interior options like cloth materials.

BIFOLD DOORS

Bifold and accordion louvered closet doors are normally used for bedroom closets, but can be used in other areas. Large pantry areas, bathroom closets and even coat closets could appear to have a larger area by using bi-fold or accordion, as well as multi-fold doors. When a fold is present in the door, it makes the doorway appear larger. For larger areas you are trying to conceal, it is best steering clear of multi-fold, retractable or sliding louvered closet doors. The folds give the appearance of more room, so it would not help to diminish the size appearance. However, if you are trying to have the appearance of more room without changing doors, mirrored panels across the hallway or even on the mid section of louvered closet doors will complete this task.

In small rooms that do not have much area, louvered doors that fold in a variety of ways help to save space. The bifold type has 2 sections, and is pulled from one side to the other and folds in on itself to avoid having a large door sticking out. This saves space in the interior of the room. Multi-fold doors are generally used for large areas in apartments such as water heater or furnace storage as well as walk in closets. Many walk in closets in apartments have sliding or bypass doors, and these are all louvered closet doors as well in most cases.

For other dwellings, the older the home is, the older the doors will be. The dimensions of the doorway will make a difference as to the types of doors you can use. Simply writing down the dimensions and taking them with you to the retailers will help you to choose a door that will fit the existing door way. If you find louvered closet doors that are smaller than your doorway, simply using drywall or an expert to fill in the additional space and creating a new door jamb will help remedy the situation. In this way you are able to use the doors you want, and still keep the space in the closet without having to sacrifice the aesthetic value of the area. Remember that even though you are redecorating on a budget, the doors that you choose will reflect the style and taste you wish for others to see in your home.

Contemporary Louvered Closet Doors

BIFOLD DOORS

Types of Folding Doors

Folding doors are types of doors that fold open instead of swinging open like the normal ones do. It is for this reason that folding doors are ideal to use in areas of limited space or where you need to use the space right beside the door. While most folding doors come in the form of bifold doors, there are the multiple folding ones referred to as accordion doors as well.

interior glass bifold doors

Bifold doors are the most common types of folding doors that you will find in most homes. These are ideal for installation in spaces that are too small to fit an ordinary sized door. As such, you will find these types of doors being commonly used in laundry rooms, closets and pantries, as well as for separating two different rooms.

BIFOLD DOORS

These bifold doors comprise of two narrow doors which are attached at the centre by a hinge. Bifolding doors, as they are also known, are installed along a track which enables them to slide open. Once opened, you may fold the two doors along the hinges and slide over them to one side. You may also use your bifold doors in pairs. In this case, two bi-fold doors will be placed together on a single track and once opened; each door will fold open on either side of this track.

On the other hand, the multi-folding doors are also referred to as accordion doors and these fold to one side, just as the bifold ones do. However, accordion doors consist of multiple panels which fold together in a manner similar to an accordion. Because of this unique design, multi-folding doors take up less space than their bifolding counterparts. What's more, this design entails that thin materials are used in their construction. You may have your accordion doors either rolled away from one point to another or installed onto a track.

Another option for your bifolding doors would be to go for the acoustical ones whose main purpose is to provide insulation against noise. Acoustical versions are typically found in office buildings and churches or in other areas which require soundproofing - for instance where speeches and presentations are given. Even though acoustical doors do provide a certain degree of soundproofing, they cannot guarantee this seeing as they are constructed from thin materials.

For your exterior doors, you could also go for the bifolding versions that are made from glass. The glass bifolding versions resemble your traditional French doors but allow for space saving as they can be folded away. With glass folding doors, you are able to enjoy unobstructed view of the outdoors, as well as make use of as much space as you can in your home.

For a more creative way to store your book collection, you may opt for these types of door bookcases. These bifolding door bookcases resemble the traditional bookcase but only when you take a closer look will you discover that these doors are in fact able to fold up and reveal rooms, closets or even wall safes.

Types of Folding Doors

BIFOLD DOORS

Bathroom Shower Doors For Good Impressions

If you have bathroom shower doors for your shower instead of a curtain, that is the first thing most people see when they enter your bathroom. Most people want to make a good impression on guests so they want to choose doors that are beautiful and functional. There is a large selection to choose from that can be both like clear glass, bifold, frameless, framed, sliding and neo angle. Each one of these lend a special look and feel to your bathroom that guests will notice when they enter the room.

bifold doors home depot

Many local retailers carry a wide variety including some custom made doors. They can also assist you in your selection and recommend a local general contractor who can make sure your doors are properly installed. Custom shower doors must be cut to the dimensions of your shower entrance so it may take longer to get them than regular stocked doors. You will also notice a difference in custom door prices. Neo angle doors are one of the more expensive sets you can purchase so you should ask your retailers which ones are in stock and ready for pickup.

BIFOLD DOORS

Bifold shower doors are replacing many of the older sliding style. This is because they leave you more unobstructed space when your door is open. These come in both framed and frameless versions. Bifold doors are generally glass and can be purchased in different styles such as frosted, hammered, rain and plain glass. They are perfect for handicapped individuals who must use a wheelchair to enter and leave the shower area as well as for the elderly. Most of these doors seal with a magnetic strip which prevents water from leaking onto the floor.

One very popular style of shower is the neo angle shower. These can generally fit into a corner but open closer to the center of the room. There are many styles and designs of these doors and they vary greatly in prices. Neo angle doors are generally no harder to obtain than sliding or bifold doors. They should be available at many of your local retailers with competitive prices. Neo angle shower doors can have different styles of glass just as the bifold doors do. These showers help you to utilize the available space in your bathroom by occupying a normally wasted area.

Shower handles are important to your bathrooms appearance as well as to your health. Many people are unaware that the handle in your shower can be the home of many bacteria and germs. Soap scum can drip onto the handle and in many cases shower cleaners do not kill the bacteria and germs. This means that each time you enter your shower and touch that handle, you are touching a potentially hazardous instrument. It is recommended that you periodically replace the shower handle and other interior fixtures inside your shower to reduce the threat of disease and illness.

Bathroom Shower Doors For Good Impressions

BIFOLD DOORS

Monday, August 29, 2011

Alternative Closet Door Ideas That Can Save You Money

Whether you are looking for doors for commercial or residential use, the alternative closet doors ideas presented herein can greatly assist you in obtaining the lowest wholesale prices on the best decorative replacement doors available.

Sure, most homeowners have been buying all their household requirements from Home Depot or Lowes for years and for good reason. Both these stores offer an amazing variety to choose from and at good prices too. However, these days there is a place that stocks an even wider variety and at a better price too- the Internet.

LOWES BIFOLD DOORS

The truth is, traditional stores are restricted on the amount of discounts they can offer simply because they have overheads that they have to pay- there are employee salaries to be paid and rentals for the premises in addition to utilities such as electricity and water. When you purchase any type of contemporary doors from an in-person store you are also paying an additional fee in order to keep them in business.

Interestingly, when you visit the websites of Lowes and the Home Depot, you will find that you can purchase the very same alternative closet doors that you saw in their traditional store at a much lower price on the website. This is because it is much more affordable for companies to run and operate websites as there are minimal overheads to be paid. With that in mind you should always take your replacement doors search to the internet.

When you set out to purchase alternative closet doors online you should also be aware that there are endless styles available. There are numerous options and choices that you can consider when it also comes to design. Even if you started off with the idea that you were simply going to replace one door in your home, with the prices and variety available, it makes more sense to consider the replacement of multiple doors at one time.

Most major retailers will offer extended discounts for consumers who decide to purchase more than one door at a time. Therefore consider the replacement of your wardrobe doors, laundry room doors, pantry doors, walk-in closet doors, linen closet doors, and even your utility room doors. The more doors you replace, the more money that you will ultimately save in the long run.

Once you begin your search online, you should take note of every door that you find that you like and want to consider. Once you have compiled a list of doors and websites that house these doors, you should then search each and every shortlisted door individually. When doing this you will be able to determine which websites have the same door for sale and you will then be able to begin properly comparison shopping in order to obtain the lowest rate imaginable.

Never ever purchase a door that you find at a discounted rate without first comparing the rate to the rates of other doors on other websites. Remember, some websites will pretend they have discount rates when they are in fact just their default rates.

Keep each of these ideas in mind when you are seeking out the best alternative doors on the market and you will quickly and easily find amazing savings.

Alternative Closet Door Ideas That Can Save You Money

LOWES BIFOLD DOORS

Sliding Door Hardware: Installing Bi-Fold Sliding Doors

Materials and Tools Needed

wood bifold doors

- Combination Square
- Cordless Drill
- Centering Bit
- Hacksaw
- Plumb Bob
- Bit Extender
- Hacksaw

BIFOLD DOORS

*This is a fairly easy job. The job will be a bit more difficult if the doors are extremely heavy, or if your closet opening isn't square.

Finish/Paint Doors

You always want to finish and/or paint your doors before installation. This will save you a lot of time.

Mount the Hinges

Take a jamb side door and mark its inner edge 11-inches from the bottom and 7-inches from the top, centered between the two. Place the door on edge with the marks facing up so that you can see them.

Now take the lower half of a hinge and align its bottom with the bottom mark. Make sure its knuckles are facing back and flush to the edge. Use your self-centering bit to drill pilot holes through the hinge holes. Screw on the hinge plate and attach the top and middle hinges to their marks.

Place the leading (inner) door on edge, facing back-to-back with the first door. Align the doors evenly against a square. Now put the hinges together and screw the hinge plates to the leading door.

*Repeat this process on the second pair of doors.

Attach the Track Hardware

Fasten the pivot plates and the locking arms to the top and bottom of each of the doors. The pivot plates go on the tops and bottoms of the jamb-side doors, and the locking arm on the tops of the leading doors.

*Each kit requires its hardware to be uniquely positioned, so check the diagrams that come with yours for exact measurements and placements.

Install the Track

After the track is put together you will be ready to install it. Use your hacksaw and cut the track to properly fit the closet length/opening. Slide the hanging hardware into the track and attach the track to the door header with the screws that should be provided.

*Don't tighten the hardware onto the track. It will be easier to hang the doors later if the pieces are loose.

Position Your Floor Bracket

For this you need to use the measurements that are supplied by the manufacturer to position the floor bracket next to the doorjamb properly.

Hang your plumb bob tool from the center of the track above the floor bracket to align the pinhole in the bracket front-to-back. This will ensure that the doors are plumb when installed.

*Outline the bracket in pencil to mark its exact location.

Screw the bracket in place. Now remove the screws and set the bracket and screws aside.

Hang the Doors

Carry your doors to the track and lift the jamb side of the door so that it locks into the pin of the top pivot plate. When you are sure that the pin is all the way in, push the lever on the side of the socket to lock it in place.
Now with the doors closed, swing them forward enough to catch the floor bracket in the bottom pivot pin.

Attach the Floor Bracket

Swing your doors back into place so that you can attach the floor bracket. Find the marks you previously made and then use your flexible bit extender to screw down the bracket.

Hang the other set of doors using the same technique already stated here.

*You may want to get some help, as this will be easier with another person.

Attach the Door Aligner

You need to do this from inside the closet with the doors closed. Go ahead and mount the door aligners between the two leading doors. The aligners should catch when the doors are closed.

*Do this about 6-inches up from the floor.

Install the Door Pulls

The door pulls (handles) can be installed pretty much however you want them. Pick the height you want to place them at and them follow your manufacturers instructions on installing them

You should now be able to enjoy your new bi-fold doors. Your closet will have a whole new look and feel.

Sliding Door Hardware: Installing Bi-Fold Sliding Doors

BIFOLD DOORS

What About Bifold Closet Doors

The normal everyday swinging closet doors has advantages and disadvantages. The good thing about a hinged closet door is that it gives you a good solid surface for you to add closet decorations or a full-length mirror on the door to enhance your room. The bad thing about this type of door is that the immediate area within the swinging arc of the closet doors must be clear of any items for you to comfortably have full access to the closet space within.

interior glass bifold doors

Even sliding closet doors come with some disadvantages. When you slide open the closet doors, there will always be one side that remains closed. If your closet has dual sliding doors, then you can only access one area of your closet at a time. Even with three sliding closet doors, there will still be one section of the closet that is blocked. Sliding doors will work really if you can slide them into the walls, but not many people have that luxury.

BIFOLD DOORS

When you don't have a lot of space to spare for swinging open closet doors and you really need to access everything at once, then a bifold closet door is the answer. For small closets, one set one bifold doors is enough to comfortably operate. If your closet is wide enough, two bifold closet doors coming from opposite ends would be the solution of choice. The folds of the doors are usually too small to hang a full-length mirror on but creative decorating will make the closet blend into the architectural effects of your room.

Bifold closet doors will work with any kind of closet, be it reach-in or walk-in. The most important feature for a bifold closet door is the rails on which it rests on. The performance of the bifold closet door depends heavily on how well it glides on its rails. Due to this fact, it is advisable to have a professional install the bifold closet door for you. Once proper installation is done, all it takes is some grease on the rails to keep the doors operating smoothly.

What About Bifold Closet Doors

BIFOLD DOORS

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Brilliant Decorative Closet Door Ideas

Your modern home would do better if you install decorative closet doors. They are great elements for your interior remodeling ideas as they fulfill your basic need for beauty and functionality.

interior glass bifold doors

Decorative closet doors are available in various styles, such as sliding, French, accordion or bifold. Take time to do some research of what is in store for you out there.

BIFOLD DOORS

French Doors from Interior Doors Direct:

The company offers various French door styles. Its French door with tempered beveled glass adds elegance and style to a contemporary home décor. The French door with grooved glass has a beveled design that is cut into the glass surface. Available designs are 10-lite, Prairie and 15-lite. The bifold French door with clear tempered safety glass is ideal for use if you want to add extra dimensions to your home. The bifold French door with beveled glass can also be used as a room divider. The doors stand from 80 inches to 96 inches tall.

Masonite Door Collections:

These door collections are available in glass designs of Annapolis decorative glass, beveled glass with anodized aluminum bars, beveled glass with brass bars, beveled glass with wood mutins, cashmere acrylic insert, centennial 10 decorative glass, centennial 15 decorative glass, clear glass, clear glass with wood mutins, highlander decorative glass and falling water decorative glass. Finish options are birch, cherry, clear pine, finger jointed pine, hemlock, high density fiberboard and knotty alder. Door style choices include one-lite, one panel chalkboard, one panel plank smooth, one panel square top, 10-lite arch top, 10-lite camber top, 10-lite square, 12-lite over one panel, 15-lite arch top, 15-lite camber top and many more.

Kestrel Closet Doors:

The many styles of Kestrel closet doors are louvered, panel, mirrored, fabric, tongue and groove, custom, bifold and sliding. Standard features are solid hardwood construction for durability, kiln dried lumber for high quality, pegged, tenon and mortise joinery, 3/8-inch thick louver blades, floating panels, removable trim and spring loaded dowels and ¾-inch thick tongue and groove.

Wooden Decorative Room Door with 0.6mm-thick Steel Plate Inside:

This door has either 3 and 1/2cm or 4cm thickness, 0.6mm thick door leaf cold rolled steel, PVC leaf and frame, wooden frame, hinges and lock attached to the wood surrounding the door leaf. This door with model number XD-SN17 is available at simto.manufacturer.globalsources.com.

Scale/6® Decorative Accents™:

This door features 9/16-inch thick wood core laminated panels with 6 inches width, Memory Action double-wall vinyl hinges, decorative inserts or carved detailing, decorative, wood veneer or vinyl high pressure laminate surfacing, dual ball-bearing wheels, jamb mould, automatic latches and decorative aluminum track. Available panel options are walnutone carved, open woven, closed woven or clear lacquer. Insert choices are amber, clear, transparent and mirrored.

Decorative Room Door with Embedded Hinges and Lock in Wooden Frame:

The standard size of this door is 830mm by 2,022mm with door leaf thickness of either 4cm or 3.5cm. Embedded lock and hinges surround the door leaf which used a cold rolled steel 0.6mm thick. This door is available under model number XDZ-616 at simto.manufacturer.globalsources.com.

There are many decorative closet doors available on the market today that it is recommended to do some comparison shopping first before making a final buying decision.

Brilliant Decorative Closet Door Ideas

BIFOLD DOORS

Shower Door Types

It is not necessary that every bathroom or tub has shower doors. Shower curtains can be used in place to shower door. What ever you select for your bathroom depends upon your preferences and design of your shower or tub. Both of them cease water to limited area and protect walls and floors from damages caused by splashing of water. Doors are preferable option as compared to curtains because they are durable and easier to clean.

bifold doors home depot

Types of Shower Door
Variety of shower doors is available in different configurations, materials, styles and sizes. Shower doors are usually made up of glass. There are five basic types of glass shower doors differ from each other due to configuration style.

BIFOLD DOORS

• Pivot
Bi-fold
• Frameless
• Sliding/Bypass
• Curved

Pivot/Swimming
It is a primary type of door with pivot. This door can swing out into bathroom. It is more commonly installed in recessed baths. It is important to consider while installing it that there should be enough space for its free swinging. Size ranges from 36 to 48 inches. As they cover large area they are installed with one or two fixed panels. Pivot doors are hinged in two ways that means they can open on one side or both sides. In case of single hinge door must be open outwards in order to avoid injuries.

Bi-fold
This type is best to install in small washrooms where space is limiting issue. Two panels are hinged in the middle and door is closed by folding in to shower. There are certain disadvantages associated with this type of doors. One disadvantage is that it rides on track at bottom. Sometimes it gets jammed and not able to move freely because of its twisting motion. Another disadvantage is to keep the bi-fold track clean.

Frameless
Most of the modern baths have this type of doors. They also open outside the shower area. It consists of single pane of glass. Free space is needed to swing freely.

Sliding/Bypass
These doors occupy less space. They open with gliding along the track over bathtub or under shower stall. It provides wide opening without rolling into shower or room. It is difficult to keep sliding track clean. With time rollers wear out and must replaced with new one. Over all its cleaning is the major issue and bit difficult for users.

Curved
This type of door is commonly installed at the corner. Curved door is attached with a frame at its top and bottom. They can create more space in shower enclosure. Door can be reversed to provide free excess in both directions i.e. right or left.

These are some common types of shower doors available. You can select any one of them that is best suitable for you.

Shower Door Types

BIFOLD DOORS

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Bi Fold Doors - Give More Creative Living Space

Transform your home with bifold doors. Relax in stylish open plan living areas; enjoy the elegant views from the favorite room in your house. You can create the feeling and atmosphere of being in the garden whilst in the warmth of your own home. Beautiful bifold doors are suited to bedrooms, conservatories , garage conversions, open plan dining areas that open up into patio barbecue areas for that extra style to a summers evening outside. Creating extra living space around the home installing new custom made BiFold Doors. Extend your home into the garden and enjoy open plan living. When your doors are closed off to the elements, your view is perfect overlooking the view from the best rooms in the home.

interior glass bifold doors

With folding sections that fold all the way back on themselves without reducing the level of security to your home. Bifold doors open effortlessly, using the advantage of high tech stainless steel mechanisms allowing unrestricted access and maximizing your living space creating more light into your living rooms. With advanced aluminum profiles from companies like smart extrusions and quality upvc profiles from Rehau, Spectus and Bowater Halo available in any color that matches your fancy.

BIFOLD DOORS

Folding Sliding h, Sections of the doors fold right the way back internally or externally with a wide choice of folding options.

Unlike French doors or patio doors that have to open fully, bifold doors have the option of opening a slave door without having to fold out the complete door to gain access to the garden. They fold all the way back as well to allow unrestricted access to patio areas or patio landscape.

Increased security with floating mullions and the latest high performance shoot bolt locking systems will keep intruders out, but also allow easy operation so anyone at any age can operate the doors with ease. For the latest bi fold doors from a company that has the complete range on the market you should visit someone like the Double Glazing Shop.

Bi Fold Doors - Give More Creative Living Space

BIFOLD DOORS

Bedroom Sliding Closet Doors: Add Functionality While Decorating Your Room

Whether your home decor is based in modern or traditional styles, you will find that bedroom sliding closet doors can brighten any room. They come in a wide range of style options, so adding a set of sliding doors can create a brand new look for your home. These doors are ideal in a bedroom, but can also find a home in a linen closet, pantry, or laundry room.

As you begin your search for the best closet doors for your home, you will want to consider all of your options. Mirror sliding doors serve double duty as closet doors and full body mirrors, giving the room a greater sense of light and space and making the room feel larger and more spacious. These are great options for the bedroom or bathroom. Mirror doors come with contemporary metal frames or traditional style wood frames.

LOWES BIFOLD DOORS

Take the time to shop around for just the right closet doors to suit your home. You will find that large hardware retailers like Home Depot, Lowes, and Ace Hardware handle a variety of sliding closet doors, as well as smaller suppliers you can find online and in stores. Many of these stores offer unfinished doors at wholesale prices. As you are seeking new ideas for a replacement for your old closet door, be sure to look at all of these options so you can ensure yourself a set of sliding doors that truly meet your needs.

Keep your closet fresh and breezy; avoid the scent and feel of stuffiness in your closet by using louvered bypass closet doors. These louvers create a decorative touch that is reminiscent of a pair of country shutters. Choose the hardwood and finish that best suits your room and your tastes; doors are available with working or non working louvers. There are several options, including doors with horizontal louvers that cover the entire door, doors with louvers in the top half and a recessed panel in the bottom, and even doors with vertical louvers.

Those living in small homes or mobile homes are particularly ideal candidates for bedroom sliding closet doors. Using sliding doors will eliminate a need for added space. At one time, there were few choices for those who lived in mobile homes; closet doors were made of lightweight pressboard and wood tone laminate. Now mobile home dwellers can enjoy more decorative options, just as those in houses and condos. Choose doors made of hardwoods, doors that have decorative glass insets, or doors with mirrors or louvers.

Once you have chosen a style and a look that you would like, you must decide if you would like to order it to specifications and pay to have it installed by professionals, or if you will finish or paint your own doors and/or install them yourself. Hardware stores online and in brick and mortar stores sell the hardware necessary to mount your new doors, and there are few limits at all to the stains and colors from which to choose. You can create a truly unique piece for in your home by doing much of the work yourself.

Bedroom Sliding Closet Doors: Add Functionality While Decorating Your Room

LOWES BIFOLD DOORS

What Are Retractable Louvered Closet Doors?

Louvered closet doors are becoming common installations in contemporary homes. This is because of the modern appeal and affordable prices. The versatility is such that it comes in various classic styles such as retractable, bypass, bifold, accordion and sliding. The versatility does not end with its classic styles. It may come unfinished to allow you to paint it with your color of choice and stain or varnish it to match your home decor.

masonite bifold doors

And if you want your closet door to become an integral part of your home decoration, you can choose louver doors in mirrored, polymer, wood or glass materials. Take a look at some available online:

BIFOLD DOORS

Cabana St John Fine Louvered Door in Poplar by Estate Millwork:

This is constructed using hardwood of the finest quality. The door carries an old-world design and charm that is ideal for any home decor. It can be custom-made to fit any type of closets, including sliding, bifold, bypass, multifold, retractable and accordion. Ordering one custom-built is easy. Just discuss your specifications with the company's customer representative. But keep in mind that prices will depend on your specifications.

Legacy Doors Plantation 3 Inches Bifold, Louver:

This door has a custom look that will appeal to any discriminating taste. Because it is pre-built, it is ready for installation on any room. You can even use it as a divider. It has an option to be opened left or right and a complete set comes with required door knob and hardware. It's made from a combination of wood fiber, reinforced steel and polymer. It has the resistance to mildew, termites, moisture and humidity. It has an antique white finish for an appealing look.

Craftmaster Pine Louver Bifold Door:

This door is made with solid pine. It comes in two designs, louver-over-panel and full louver and choices of clear pine or prime finish. Although the door is standard in height, there is an option for you to buy two or four.

Presently, there are many louvered closet doors sold by online retailers. What is good with this type of closet door is you can it custom-built for your closet. Just make sure that you have the right measurements before placing your order.

2 1/2 inches Plantation Louver Solid Wood Door by Kestrel Shutters and Doors:

Tradekey.com offers this louver door that is part of a line of solid wood closet doors that are available in standard and unlimited custom sizes suited for sliding, pocket, hinged and bifold closet door.

Bifold Door-Full Louver by Baskins Forest Products:

This louver door comes in prefinished white and unfinished natural wood. It features a clear veneered stiles with 2.539cm thickness, pre-hinged panels that are ready for installation, a unique LVL core to prevent warpage. The complete set comes with installation instructions, hardware, knobs and track. The prefinished version of this door has two coats of polyurethane and 20 percent gloss white lacquer. The natural wood version is primed and ready to paint or stain. This door is available at under model number FR-01 for a price of .00.

What Are Retractable Louvered Closet Doors?

BIFOLD DOORS

Friday, August 26, 2011

Bifold Closet Doors - A Popular Choice For Those on a Budget

Who would have guess that there would come a time when closet doors would become an integral part of a modern home. With bifold closet doors in various materials such as wood, mahogany, glass, mirror, louvered and contemporary design, they could become a focal point of your home decor.

interior glass bifold doors

If you are renovating on a tight budget, you may consider bifold doors because they retail at affordable prices and are very easy to install. Plus, they could last for a long period of time despite constant use, provided that they are installed properly.

BIFOLD DOORS

When choosing these doors, make sure that they have pre-drilled knob holes for ease of operation. If possible, have your door installed by professionals to ensure efficient closet operation. Here is a look at some of the bifold closet doors available at doitbest.com:

Series 4400 Steel Framed Mirror Bifold Door by Home Decor Innovations:

This series of doors is available in mirrored, steel framed and bifold. The complete set includes a 1/4-inch frame around the mirroor, spring-enhanced hinges, color-coordinated pull handles and dual-height tracks that are interchangeable. The series consists of model number 24-8278 with dimensions of 24 inches by 80 and ½ inches, model number 24-8280 with measurements of 30 inches by 80 and ½ inches and model number 24-8282 with 36 inches by 80 and 1/2 inches finished opening. The online price of each model is .90.

Pine Raised Panel 1-1/8 Inches Bifold Door by Interpacific Sales:

Per bifold has 2 door panels with measurements of 1 and ¼ inches stile width and 5/8 -inch thickness recessed rails. The top, locks and bottom rails are 3 and 3/8 inches. This series have installed hinges with standard hardware and track. They have adjustable height from 80 5/8 inches to 81 3/8 inches. They come unfinished so you have the option to paint them with the color that you want. The door series is available for .99.

5/0 1-3/8 Luan Bifold Door by Masonite:

This door is made with rails with fingerjoints and fiber steel. The door has a thickness of 1 and 3/8 inches and suitable for paint or natural finish. It retails at 4.99 under model number 163637.

2/8 1-3/8 Birch Bifold Door by Masonite:

This door is built with fiber rails and clear center stiles. It has a thickness of 1-3/8 inches. The back of the door is mill option which is suitable for paint or natural finish. It is available under model number 171469 for .99.

24x80 7/8L/I Mah Bifold by Interpacific Sales:

This door measures 7/8 inches, stiles of 1 and 1/8 inches wide, top rail width of 3 and 13/16 inches, lock rail width of 3 and 5/8 inches, bottom rail width of 3 and 13/16 inches and louver width of 1 and 3/8 inches. This 2-panel bifold are available in various models with numbers A4206807, A4266808, A4286806 and A4306809. It is available for only .99.

Bifold Closet Doors - A Popular Choice For Those on a Budget

BIFOLD DOORS

Tips to Install Closet Doors

If your sliding closet door has sustained damage or if you are looking for some stylish options to match your taste you should think of installing or replacing it. Here, in this article we present some common tips for installing. The step-by-step method of sliding closet doors installation will make the entire process easier for you.

bifold doors lowes

To begin with, you must measure the existing closet door. You may have closet bifold that are easy to replace or install. You can also purchase mirrored ones that add beauty and make the room look bigger. You can choose from wide ranges of sliding doors as well. Use of it has become very popular these days because they are great space savers. You can choose from different materials such as plastic, wood or metals for these doors. The mirrored doors have particularly become a strong style statement these days as they create an optical illusion and also make the room look brighter with more reflected lights. However, make sure you are choosing the right closet bifold which suit the home d?cor and the style. Also, if you have a kid at home it may not be a safe option to have mirror on it.

BIFOLD DOORS

There are unfinished and finished looks to choose from when you shop. You can apply finish, if you choose the unfinished mirrored doors. Make sure you are applying the paint or lacquer on the doors before installation to simplify your task.

The old doors can be removed by simply uprooting them from the track. Most of the doors simply ride in overhead track. These come with simple locking mechanism. You can override this by using a small lever. There are a few bifold doors which have places on track where the rollers need to be positioned. The rollers are supposed to be positioned on the cutout and lifted free. After opening the door with a screwdriver, you can take out the old track. You need to take measurements of the sliding closet doors against the length of the old. To ensure a proper fit you may trim down the doors to have a smooth and proper opening. With the help of screws, you can mount the bracket where the old door was positioned. The screws must be well seated and the heads must not interfere with roller movements. While installing the doors, make sure that the track is not over tightened and wrapped out of shape as this can possibly create problem in smooth movement of the closet doors. The rollers on the inner high frame of the sliding closet doors should be mounted following the manufacturer's instructions. You can also purchase kits which come along with mounted rollers. Finally, you can hang it on track. Before finally fixing the door check for alignment and smooth movement.

Tips to Install Closet Doors

BIFOLD DOORS

The Stylish Interior Sliding Doors

Since change is constant, the manufacturing companies of the sliding closet doors have been deriving innovative ideas to create new dimension in the interior spaces. The makers of sliding doors look forward to offering both luxury and comfort to help your homes look perfect. Since the consumers are extremely demanding these days, sliding doors are preferred by many instead of closet bifold doors as they offer quite a few advantages.

bifold doors with glass

The functionality aspects of Interior sliding doors

BIFOLD DOORS

The modern sliding doors are not only stylish but also an excellent means for utilizing the space of a room. Sliding closet doors are considered to be a mixture of substance and style. Many are choosing sliding closet doors by replacing closet bifold doors simply because of the functionality and advantages.

The market these days are flooded with different kinds of stylish sliding closet doors. In one face of such doors you can have mirror just like normal mirrored closet doors. But in this case only one face of the sliding door can be utilized as the mirror. To make the room look extra bright these types of doors are preferred by homeowners.

The mirrored closet doors can also be installed to hide odd spaces as well. You can have such sliding closet doors in bathrooms as well.

Interior sliding doors: Styles available

If you are looking for some traditional styles, the closet bifold doors made of wood are the best option. Or else, you may have paneled with wood finish and texture and laminations.

You can also opt for plain option without panels to create a modern style and effective look in the room. They are affordable as well. And, you can decorate such plain with paintings etc.

You can increase the available spaces in the small-sized rooms by removing the opening area which the standard bifold technology may require. The space obtained by using sliding ones can be utilized for storing chairs, furniture, sideboard, or other useful accessories.

Why do you need interior sliding doors?

They can be installed in offices as well. If you have a big space you can create personal spaces by installing. You can create cubicles as per the available space. They are easy to install and uninstall. So, if you are shifting your office you can take out the modular sections and fix them again in the new place.

The stylish, smooth opening and closing mechanism has particularly become very useful in the factories. Goods and machines can be transported at ease from one place to the other without causing any hazard. Moreover they do not take up any extra space, the available area can be used for storing the finished products or other useful machineries in the factory.

The Stylish Interior Sliding Doors

BIFOLD DOORS

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Your Options For Stanley Mirrored Closet Doors

There are multitude of closet door ideas that would surely make your contemporary decor standout. Replacing your old door with a Stanley version is one of these creative ideas.

wood bifold doors

A mirrored closet door not only brightens an area but it also makes it look larger. You can also have a bifold or sliding model, depending on your preference. What is more, one can double as a full-length mirror, thus eliminating the need to purchase a separate mirror to hang on the other side of your door. This option gives you a full view when dressing up.

BIFOLD DOORS

Stanley mirrored closet doors may not come cheap so it is recommended that you compare prices from several online retailers (i.e. dunbarton.com) before you buy a replacement. Here are some for your perusal:

Series 2700 Heavy-Duty Steel Bifold Door with Mirror Laminate:

This heavy-duty bifold door features a laminated mirror on 24-gage steel. It comes with a hardware system, Slimfold hat, self-adjusting guide rods loaded with spring, a 3mm thick safety backed mirror and polished chrome handle. You have a polished chrome option for prefinished steel track as well as mirror edging in polished chrome. Panel color options are ivory, black and bright white. This door is available under model number 2750.

Series 4400 Steel Framed Bifold Mirror Door:

This door provides an uninterrupted look with its non-visible frame. Standard features are bearing hinges, 3mm thick safety backed mirror, prefinished top and bottom tracks that match the door and anodized aluminum pulls. Color choices are vanilla, bright white, black, architectural brown, arctic silver, bright gold and satin gold.

Series 2020 Steel Framed Sliding Mirror Door with Bottom Roller:

This door can be adjusted for out-of-square openings. It also has top L-guides that you can adjust for smooth and noiseless operation, bottom roller that is jump resistant, one piece top track with 1 and ¾ inches depth, 3mm-thick safety-backed mirror with option of 4mm-thick mirror for heights of more than 7 feet and prefinished top and bottom tracks. Color options for stiles and rails are architectural brown, vanilla, bright white, arctic silver, architectural brown, bright gold and satin gold.

Series 2200 Heavy-Duty Steel Sliding Door with Mirror Laminate:

This heavy-duty door is designed for constant use and is easy to install. The laminated mirror is attached on a 24 steel gage panel. It comes with ball-bearing nylon bottom roller with an inch of vertical adjustment, 3mm-thick safety-backed mirror and polished chrome handle and mirror edging.

SpaceSaver Overlay Closet Doors:

This door is available in various glass combinations with single and double swing frame options. You can choose a door set with decorative mirrors or glass or dressing mirrors. This door is designed for easy hanging. It has an overlay opening that requires no door jamb.

Series 4550 Aluminum, Sliding Mirror Door System:

The sleek design of this door makes it an ideal replacement door for your bedroom or any room in your house. The stunning anodized aluminum look of this door equals its superior performance. This door will not easily chip, peel or fade. The available finish options are satin, bronze, bright silver, bright gold and golden bronze. You can match the door with your interior trim, window frames, bathroom fixtures and hardware to create a modern look to your home.

Your Options For Stanley Mirrored Closet Doors

BIFOLD DOORS

UPVC Patio Doors - The Door to Your Backyard

Doors have very important roles in the structure of the home in that they allow easy access for the homeowners and keep out unwanted people and the elements. Aside from this role, doors play an aesthetic role in the home. With the use of UPVC patio doors, you not only ensure the beauty of your home, but also ease and protection.

bifold doors lowes

UPVC patio doors are usually made with unplacticised polyvinylchloride. This is a modern material that achieves the look of wood, is easy to maintain and is very durable. It is available in many kinds of colors, styles and designs that will suit your overall home design and personality. There are white finishes and ones that have the look of natural wood, which gives your house a luxurious look without you having to shell out the money for it.

BIFOLD DOORS

They don't need to be painted to keep them looking great. In the event that your door does get dirty, all you have to do is wipe it down with a damp cloth and it will maintain its smooth, clean, white, or wood like appearance, just like the day it was installed. And finally, the most important characteristic that UPVC patio doors have is their toughness and durability. Your door won't rust like metal or rot like wood. If ever you get scratches on your UPVC patio door, you just have to polish it with water paper.

The door to your backyard must be a door that lets the light in better, but keeps you and your family secure. The patio doors allow maximum light to enter the home as it also enhances the look of your house. It's easy to maintain and easy to use while it performs the great function of protecting you from the elements or unwanted visitors. UPVC patio doors are the perfect doors for your backyard.

UPVC Patio Doors - The Door to Your Backyard

BIFOLD DOORS

Wooden Bi Folding Doors

Many people are choosing to enhance their homes or business properties by installing a bi-folding door. These doors are made up of glazing panels set in hinged frames that can span large entrance ways. The frames can be made from different materials, but one of the most attractive and versatile materials used is timber. Wood has a natural and traditional appearance that is highly desirable and suitable for most properties. Some people are wary of wooden exterior products, such as windows or doors, due to the many problems associated with wood. Some of these problems are shrinking or expanding, warping and rotting, each which lead to further problems in functionality and eventually the demise of the window or door.

louvered bifold doors

These problems are no longer a great issue in high quality bi-folding doors, due to the treatment of the wood. Firstly, the wood is laminated. This is a process where the wood is split into several parts and then placed back together with the grains in different directions and then glued under high pressure. Because wood tends to warp and twist with the grain, this process stabilises and reduces the chances of the wood changing shape during seasonal heat changes. Once the laminating process is complete, the wood is dipped into special treatments which prevent the wood from rotting or growing mould. The result is a stable, strong and damp resistant frame. The build up of condensation is prevented by giving the frame a water trap and outlet, further reducing the chances of damp-related issues.

BIFOLD DOORS

Different types of timber can be used to make a folding door. Choosing between them depends on your preference or the existing wooden windows and doors in your property, i.e. if you already have oak windows, it would look more uniform to also choose an oak bifold door over a pine bifold door. The selection offered by most folding door companies includes softwoods and hard woods, generally a range like pine, meranti and oak.

Wooden folding doors can be supplied with a range of different finishes, including an unfinished door. This is good if you already have a paint or stain you wish to apply (again, to match other windows or doors). Otherwise, you can choose between a stain and factory-sprayed paint finish. Although there are only a few different stains to choose from, they are preferable due to their translucent quality. They protect the wood and enhance or add to the colour, while allowing the natural grain to show through. Factory-sprayed paint finishes are, as the name suggests, paints applied by a factory spray. These differ from brush applied paint as it creates a more even finish without visible brush strokes. On top of this, each coat of factory-sprayed paint is the equivalent of 15 brush coats. The result is a very long-lasting and low maintenance finish that protects the wooden frame. There are hundreds of different paint colours to choose from, so it is easy to get exactly what you want.

The wood frames are highly energy-efficient, with the highest energy rating of A. Coupled with the right double glazing, the wooden bifold doors can help to reduce energy bills.

Wooden Bi Folding Doors

BIFOLD DOORS

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Tips on Choosing Wooden Bifold Doors

In constructing houses and offices, space is always one of the major considerations. As much as possible, everyone would always want to save space allocated for fixtures such as storage cabinets and doors. Thus, many designs have been produced for space consuming doors, such as sliding and accordion. One of the designs that have garnered favor from engineers and interior designers is the bifold door.

mirrored bifold doors

A bifold door is actually composed of two doors that fold to one side. These two doors run on rollers and track, and are connected together by hinges. This design is indeed very practical because this type of door consumes lesser space when folded than the conventional door. As such, these doors are very good options for smaller rooms and spaces.

BIFOLD DOORS

One of the major advantages of bifold doors is that these doors allow complete access to an area, contrary to sliding doors. In fact, some of the most common applications of such doors include separating rooms and hiding small spaces such as laundry space or office nooks.

In choosing bifold doors though, there are some factors which have to be critically considered. One of these factors is the material type. There are many materials used in making these doors. The most common materials include aluminum, PVC, and timber or wood. While each of these different materials exhibit unique characteristics, the wooden doors have become the favorite of many.

Wooden bifold doors are not only aesthetically beautiful; the varieties are wide as well. There are various types of wood options for wooden doors. Thus, you can always choose the best color, grain, and type of wood that you find perfect for your room or space.

The second factor is the size and number of panels. The size of the door opening should be carefully considered as the size of the bifold door is dependent on it. Sometimes, it is the other way around though, the sizes of commercially available wooden doors are first determined before the size of the door opening is. This is done in order to save time and money, in case the desired door size in not commercially available.

The third factor is the configuration options. This would include options on how this type of door are folded and opened. Normally, the configuration of the bifold door is dependent on the space requirement and arrangement of the room.

The fourth factor is the glazing. Fortunately, there are a lot of glazing options for wooden door that are available in the market today. Glazing is very important for appearance, privacy, and thermal considerations.

Finally, the last factor to consider is the trickle vents. The trickle vents are very important, most especially in meeting building standards and requirements. Thus, it is advisable to consult the building standards which cover the room or space where you intend to install the wooden bifold door onto.

Tips on Choosing Wooden Bifold Doors

BIFOLD DOORS

Bi Fold Doors - The Practical and Beautiful Option for Your Home

If you want to make a simple and affordable change to your home that will improve the atmosphere then bi fold doors are a good option. Many people are now choosing to install this type of door in their homes to make a large difference to the appearance without making too much effort.

bifold doors

But what are bi fold doors and why are they so effective and popular?

BIFOLD DOORS

Bi Fold Doors - A Popular Choice

Bi fold doors are glass doors which fold out when opened and tuck away discreetly into one side so that they don't take up any room when the door is open. They can be constructed using a variety of materials, but one of the most popular options is the timber-framed variety as these look the best and are also durable.

Stylish

Bi fold doors provide a very stylish addition to any home, especially when they are timber framed. They can add a touch of class and style to any home, and this provides a number of aesthetic advantages. The fact that they are also very unobtrusive when in use makes them even more desirable.

Practical

Bi fold doors also offer a very practical solution, and they are often used as an alternative to sliding patio doors or French doors. They can be fit anywhere, require less space than other options, don't create any obstructions when opened, provide a thermal barrier, are simple to use, improve insulation and allow more sunlight to get in, making them an ideal option.

Open Up the Outside Space

Bi fold doors are perfect for creating a transition between the inside and the outside. During cold weather they can be shut to create a barrier that still allows a lot of light to enter into the room, but during warm weather they can be opened to allow easy access to the garden.

Secure

Bi fold doors that are made and installed professionally are very secure, so you don't have to worry about security any more than you would with the other doors in your home. This is because they come with security built in, and this security is even better when they are made from high-strength materials.

Simple Solution

One of the best things about bi fold doors is that they provide a very simple solution in the home. They are easy to install, cost effective, and they are also easy to use, making them the ideal option for many.

Conclusion

Bi Fold Doors - The Best Option for Your Home

For all of these reasons and more, bi fold doors are the best type of door that you can buy for your home if you want to create easy access to your garden whilst maintaining a stylish look inside the home. For the best doors, always choose a company with experience, and make sure that the doors have a solid construction and that they are installed correctly. This will make the doors last longer and lead to a better quality product which will be even more enjoyable to have in the home.

Bi Fold Doors - The Practical and Beautiful Option for Your Home

BIFOLD DOORS

How to Buy a Bifold Door

As with most reasonably large property expenditure, a bifold door normally a one-off purchase. The technical detail is likely to leave the average consumer confused, so what is involved in choosing a bifold door that will allow you to enjoy your home more, will be versatile, and will look and function beautifully for many, many years?

wood bifold doors

Below are some tips on what to consider, but we suggest you look for a bi folding door specialist to supply and fit your door who will perform a survey before building your door and give you any advice you need. Should you decide to use your builder or a professional fitter, they should take responsibility for the precise measurements and ancillary requirements for the door. In unskilled hands, these doors are likely to produce problems so an experienced installer should be used. However, you may well prefer to perform your own research and we hope that these tips prove useful.

BIFOLD DOORS

Essential Considerations

• Which material - aluminium, PVCu or timber products
• Configuration options - how should it fold and open
• Size and number of panels
• Glazing - for thermal, privacy and appearance
• Threshold Options - for accessibility and weatherproofing
• Trickle Vents - for ventilation and to meet building standards
• Gearing - for smooth operation and high performance
• Cill and Drainage - are they necessary for your project

Material

Aluminium is a fabulous, highly durable, low maintenance material. It is available in a vast range of colours, wood effect and metallic finishes. It needs only to be washed occasionally to keep it clean and looking new.

Aluminium is less expensive than timber options, but some properties - especially period and listed properties where existing fenestration is traditional - may not be entirely suited to aluminium or even meet planning guidelines.

PVCu is the least expensive option. It is available in a range of colours and finishes, but responsible bifold door manufacturers would not recommend anything other than a standard white PVCu finish. This is because colour and finishes can cause instability to this material when in conjunction with the movement of the bifolding door.

PVCu is easy to maintain, does not last as long as aluminium, but will still look beautiful after several years. Good quality, modern PVCu can complement white timber windows and doors very well.

Timber bifolding doors can be built in hardwood or in laminated (engineered) timber. Engineered timber is designed to outlast other timber products as it is formed from layer upon layer of hardwood, preventing water from becoming trapped within the wood where it can causing twisting and shrinking and eventual damage. The fold and slide nature of bifolding doors means that they are highly sensitive to any alteration of shape and weight distribution and this will result iin stress on the gearing, poor performance and eventual breakdown.

In South facing, exposed or coastal areas laminated timber is recommended over hardwood for this reason. All timber bifold doors can be factory painted in an infinite range of colours and this should assure a guarantee of long durability of the finish and low maintenance.

Opening Configurations

A flexible supplier of bespoke doors will be able to offer all possible configuration options to suit your aperture, but there will be technical limitations. Each panel has to be attached to the track, which affects which doors can be free one side to open. Options can include a single opening door at either end or anywhere it makes physical sense along the track. It is possible to use two of the doors as french doors in the conventional way whilst the remainder of the panels are closed as long as there are enough panels.

Size and Number of Bifolding Panels

Panel size is dictated by material and is essentially weight related. Once glazed, these doors are very heavy and too much weight can affect their performance. If narrow, the panels will become too bulky to fold and slide and will be cumbersome when stacked away.

The standard maximum width of an aluminium bifold door is 1000mm and there are height restrictions which, if exceeded, may cause issues and customers will be expected to sign a disclaimer. PVCu may be lighter than aluminium, but because it is not as strong, a good bifolding door company will ensure that all of its PVCu bifolds are reinforced with steel, thus making it heavier.

The number of panels a door comprises should be flexible if custom built. Generally, however, fewer panels in a door makes for better visibility. In addition, the price per square metre increases in line with the number of panels owing to the additional material, engineering, hinges, security and thermal requirements.

Gearing

Gearing quality is critical to door durability and performance. Unfortunately, it is also the feature you may not be able to qualify yourself. For this reason, if you do not know of a bifold door specialist, it is recommended that you use either a reputable company experienced in supplying bifold doors or a reliable builder or architect to specify the door. Choosing a product on price frequently leads to disappointment.

Thresholds

All bifold doors are most weatherproof when incorporating a normal threshold - no matter what manufacturers say to the contrary. By its very nature, a low threshold bi-folding door is subject to some water and draught ingres in severe conditions. Low thresholds are fabulous for disabled access and level access to, for example, a garden, but consider your property's aspect, your geographical location and local weather patterns before making a decision. And as an extra precaution, lay water resistant flooring immediately inside a low threshold.

Glazing

Glazing should be 28mm K glass or equivalent and is always double glazed. It can be obscured if required, self cleaning and have heat resistant film applied if in direct sunlight. Increasingly popular are internal blinds which are very attractive, but which are new on the market and have no history on which to stake their durability.

Trickle Vents

Trickle vents, or night vents, are built into the frame to provide exchange of air and to prevent condensation. These are compulsory for new builds and may be appropriate for your installation for other reasons. Any bifold door specialist can advise, but you should check with your builder or installer.

Cill and Drainage

You may or may not need a cill and/or drainage which will be specified at the survey. Drainage is via a narrow channel which draws moisture away from the door and whether drainage is required will be depend upon internal and external levels and other factors.

How to Buy a Bifold Door

BIFOLD DOORS

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Mirrored Bifold Closet Doors Can Make Your Room Seem Larger

When you are living in a small space, you want to maximize the light and bring in elements that will make the room seem larger. You can find a lot of products on the market that will help you to achieve this look, and at the top of the list is mirrored Bifold Closet Doors. These doors are perfect for any bedroom or other area where light needs to be bounced around, or when you want to make the space appear larger.

bifold doors

If your master bedroom is not getting the light you want then you should consider changing your closet doors. You can achieve the light that you need when you bounce it from the window to the doors. The reflective quality of mirrored Bifold Closet Doors will give you the depth, which a small or dark room may lack. You will enjoy the way the doors capture the light and it also gives you a place to see how well dressed you are, before you start you do. These doors will provide a lot of uses for your master bedroom and would make a handsome choice.

BIFOLD DOORS

Closet organizers are a wonderful asset and they will make storing your clothes a breeze. If you open your closet and find that it is hard to locate or find your outfits, it is time to consider a closet organizer. You will be able to separate your clothing more easily and find what you are looking for quickly. When you have a system to hanging up your clothes your closet and the entire area will look more polished.

Shopping online can save you time and money. You will be able to find a wide selection of Bifold Closet Doors and closet organizers. You can have your purchases delivered to your home and enjoy a more polished closet in no time. Your master bedroom will feel like a retreat when you have the proper storage space and beautiful quality doors, which catch the light and help to expand the look of the room. You will find that getting dressed in the morning is easier, thanks to these doors.

Mirrored Bifold Closet Doors Can Make Your Room Seem Larger

BIFOLD DOORS

Pros and Cons of Bathroom Shower Doors

If you are considering replacing your old shower curtain with bathroom shower doors you should consider some of the details of the doors. Both curtains and doors have their pros and cons and it is up to you to decide which style outweighs the other. There are many aspects to these doors that curtains do not have such as allowing the beauty of the tempered glass to be part of your decor. Shower curtains are usually themed in some way; whether it is nautical, solid colors or designs. Glass can also be themed but you can also show your sense of style with doors.

bifold doors

Bathroom shower doors have many pros to them. The fact that they come in a variety of designs make them one of the most popular ways to enclose a shower. They can be framed or frameless, sliding or bifold and are easier to clean than shower curtains. Most curtains must be replaced periodically due to mold and mildew as well as fading where shower doors are easily cleaned with a cleanser and a sponge. They cost more to install but because they are durable they will last a lifetime with very little maintenance.

BIFOLD DOORS

One of the most popular styles of doors is the neo angle. The doors are not so much neo angle as the shower itself. The shower is designed to use the wasted space of a bathroom corner and the doors open close to the center of the room. This gives you much more space to move around and enter and exit the shower. You will find that these doors have higher prices. Neo angle shower doors come in a variety of styles just as many other types of doors. The most common are bifold shower doors.

Bifold doors can be used for any style of shower. Many homeowners are replacing their old sliding doors with bifold because they open wider than the sliding variety. They can be custom built to fit almost any size opening as well as to include the features you are looking for such as the door handle. You can purchase them in framed or frameless styles with frosted, textured or clear tempered glass. Shower curtains generally come in one or two styles; cloth or vinyl. Bifold doors will vary in price but can be inexpensive depending on the features you choose.

Which would you rather have hanging in your bathroom; custom doors or a molded, ratty shower curtain? Retailers can help you choose your shower doors and guide you to the ones that will best fit your style including the door handle. You will find that your choices in features will affect the prices. Neo angle doors may have to be special ordered by some local retailers due to the popularity of the style. The choice of bathroom shower doors is a no brainer. They are easier to maintain, won't promote mold and mildew and bring a whole new look and feel to your bathroom.

Pros and Cons of Bathroom Shower Doors

BIFOLD DOORS

Bathroom Folding Shower Doors

Folding shower doors have become more popular, as many homeowners are looking for ways to increase the value of their homes through updates. Updating your bathroom can be as easy as changing the depth of glass in your shower doors, or even changing from framed to frameless. Remember that when your home is appraised with folding shower doors, the frameless versions can add up to ,500 in equity overall to the home.

bifold doors interior

Folding shower doors have many options including framed and frameless, differing depths of glass as well as designs in the glass or even upgraded materials. Framed doors sit on a track much like sliding doors. The difference between the sliding and the folding types is that there is a hinge in the center of each piece of safety glass. The safety glass in folding doors comes in depths of 1/8, 1/4 and 3/8 inch variations. This makes a difference as to the type of frame that can be used, and the largest difference is in the prices. Retailers charge more for thicker glass, as well as differences in length of the hinged areas. The average width of one panel of safety glass used in hinged shower doors that only have two panels is 24 inches, while larger areas may require more doors panels be used to cover the area. For tubs or stalls that are wider than 48 inches, it is recommended that a professional be sought to complete the work as custom doors will be required.

BIFOLD DOORS

Glass used for these bifold doors ranges in designs from obscure glass, frosted glass to clear glass or even custom design etching. Smoked glass and unfinished glass are commonly found in more modern frames, while frameless models generally use clear glass. Framed doors have options for materials, as many less expensive models are made of anodized aluminum. Brushed nickel, brass, wood appearance or even plastic can be found as well as gold tone surfaces. For frameless doors in your tub or stall, there is no enclosure but the hardware used for support at the top and bottom of the doors can also be purchased in these same finishes and materials. However, the tracks used for the top and bottom of the frameless doors will be sealed, and therefore the interior of the shower tracks should be protected. The enclosure options vary, as many people opt to use the magnetic enclosures for folding doors. These enclosures consist of a magnet on the inside track and metal on the inside of the door matching up correctly to provide a secure match. Even when wet, these magnets work as well as they do in any other environment.

Folding shower doors add a new appearance to an otherwise updated bathroom, and the investment made to improve the bathroom will be seen for years to come. This style of shower door offers reliability found in the sliding glass doors, but is also good for those that do not have a lot of room in the bathroom. Using folding doors allows for a wider open area in small bathrooms, and still holds the same reliability and safety.

Bathroom Folding Shower Doors

BIFOLD DOORS

Monday, August 22, 2011

Remodelling - Partitions From Doors

These versatile barriers come in a bewildering variety of shapes, sizes and materials, but can be classified generally as accordion, bifold or sliding bypass doors. The accordion and bifold types make handier room dividers than the more cumbersome sliding bypass doors, which are usually used as closet closures, but all three types can be adapted to serve as room partitions.

bifold doors

The accordion door looks like the bellows of an accordion and is usually made of pleated fabric or vinyl stretched over a light metal or plastic skeleton. Closing the door stretches out the pleats into a substantial-looking partition; when the door is opened, the pleats fold compactly to one side. Accordion doors, which are hung on rollers from a single overhead track and attached at one side to a wall, are the easiest of the three types of track-mounted doors to install and once in place require little or no adjustment.

BIFOLD DOORS

Bifold doors consist of wood, plastic or metal panels up to about 2 feet wide hinged together lengthwise, usually in pairs. Pairs of panels can be linked together to form one continuous surface. A bifold door consisting of one or more pairs can be mounted at one side of an opening and closed by pulling it all the way across, or the doors can be installed at each side of an opening and pulled together in the middle. An overhead track guides the bifold door but the weight of the door rests on a pivot that is attached to the floor on the wall side. A pivot at the top of the door holds the assembly upright.

Sliding bypass doors usually consist of two large wooden panels, each hung by wheels from an overhead track. The panels overlap by about an inch and when closed are kept vertically aligned by a small floor-mounted guide. All overhead tracks - whether they support or merely guide a door - sustain considerable stress when the doors are in use and should be attached to a level, structurally supported surface.

Occasionally a track can be fastened directly to the ceiling. But since folding or sliding doors more than 6 feet 8 inches high are seldom readily available and since most ceilings are 8 feet high, installing such doors usually involves attaching the track for the door to a header suspended from the joists, the structural beams that support the ceiling and the floor above.

The location of the joists helps to determine the position of the door. After locating the joists and marking the proposed position of the door, carefully calculate the vertical space needed for the door and its track. Design and construct a header suitable for the type of ceiling involved to fit in the space between the track and the ceiling.

To calculate the height of header to be suspended from a permanently attached ceiling, measure from floor to ceiling at several points along the proposed line of the door. Subtract from the shortest of these measurements (thus allowing for any unevenness in floor or ceiling) the height of the door and its track plus the thickness of the wallboard or other covering to be applied to the bottom of the header. The result is the height of the header frame; its length is the distance from wall to wall. Attach the header to the ceiling joists, fasten the track to the header and mount the door in its track.

For a door that is hung directly from the ceiling, locate the joists and attach the track directly to them through the ceiling material.

Remodelling - Partitions From Doors

BIFOLD DOORS

How to Install Bi-Fold Doors

Typically used for closets, pantries, or other interior openings, bi-fold doors are two doors that slide together on a track in accordion fashion. With the right tools and a little bit of time, you can install bi-fold doors yourself without the trouble or hassle of having to call in a handyman.

bifold doors interior

The first thing you will need to do is measure the space where the doors will be. Use a tape measure to determine the height and width of the space, and do this twice to be sure of your numbers. When purchasing your bi-fold doors, the doors must have a combined width that is 1-inch less than the width of the opening, and 1 to 2 inches shorter than the height. This will give you the room to open and close your doors, and it also takes into consideration the track that they'll slide on.

BIFOLD DOORS

Before you begin to put on the doors on, you will first have to install the track at the top of the frame and also the floor brackets at the bottom which are in the shape of an "L." Once these are in place, you will need to find the pre-drilled holes at the top and bottom of the doors. At the top, the hole closest to the sidewall, place the dowel in that comes with the spring assembly. The dowel with the screw assembly goes in the bottom hole that is nearest the sidewall, and the dowel with no assembly goes in the top hole that is farthest from the sidewall. Using a hammer, tap the dowels into place.

Now it's time to install the doors. First put the dowels into the track at the top, and then push the door up until the bottom dowel is in the L-bracket. To adjust the door height, rotate the screw to raise or lower them until they are at the desired height.

The last step in the process is to install the hardware. At the center of the door panel farthest from the sidewall, make a mark with a pencil where the handle or knob will go. Drill the hole and then screw the hardware into place. Be sure to test the doors a few times by opening and closing them to make sure that they run smoothly on the track and that they are at the appropriate height. You've done it! Enjoy your bi-fold door(s)!

How to Install Bi-Fold Doors

BIFOLD DOORS

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Closet Door Ideas That Are Affordable

Closets are a necessity in every home, in every bedroom and in most cases in the bathroom. Closet door ideas are easy to come up with to help make them both a functional part of your home as well as part of the decor. One instance of this is with mirror closet doors. Everyone knows that mirrors make small rooms appear larger. Using these can make your small bathroom or bedroom look larger, therefore giving it a more welcoming feeling.

bifold doors

For a more contemporary and modern appearance, you can use frosted glass, plexiglass or bifold doors. Plexiglass is great for a child's room because of the safety features. A master bedroom or guest bedroom can have frosted glass or bifold doors. These bring a contemporary style with elegance to any room. In addition to using these on closets, they can also be used as a room organizer or dividers.

BIFOLD DOORS

Many sliding doors can be purchased in kits or systems. This means they come complete with all the hardware that is needed to install them and they can be used in different ways. Some systems allow you to use them as room dividers or an organizer. These are usually attached to the ceiling by a track that spans the entire width of the room and one wall so it divides the space up into two smaller areas. When opened they allow you the use of the entire area while the doors are neatly stacked against one wall. Other sliding ideas include single doors with one track.

Louvered doors make an excellent choice for shoe, linen or utility closets. These are very affordable and can be purchased for interior use for closets, rooms or windows. Windows such as the patio sliding variety can have louvered doors attached to them so it blocks prying eyes from seeing into your home while still allowing the sun to filter through. These are easy to repair in case one or more louvers get damaged. You simply remove the damaged ones and use new ones as a replacement.

Many newly built homes have a walk in closet. These are the perfect spot for sliding mirror doors. They offer you hung doors without a bottom track for easy access to your closet. They also act as a divider between your bedroom and the closet, making it a separate entity from the rest of the room. These can be found at your local home supply depot. They are affordable and can greatly improve the function as well as the looks of your home.

Whether you are looking for replacement closet door ideas or a room divider, your local home supply depot can help. They can supply you with replacement hardware for an existing interior door system or an entire new system. The modern styles that are available can have your walk in closet looking new again in no time. Many local retailers also carry the necessities to repair louvered doors.

Closet Door Ideas That Are Affordable

BIFOLD DOORS

Closet Doors Dare To Be Different

You've just spent a considerable amount of money on the interior of your closet, installing a closet organizer to assure that your shoes, ties, belts, scarves, dresses, shirts and slacks are all easily accessible. As nice as the interior of your closet now looks, you don't want the effect to be spoiled by a door that doesn't do it, or the rest of your bedroom, justice.

interior glass bifold doors

How big is your closet?

BIFOLD DOORS

Of course the type of closet door you have depends in large part on the size of your closet. If it's a wall closet - very shallow - then of course you'll need a different type of door then if it's a walk-in.

The four types of closet door, therefore, would be the simple panel door that opens outward and lets you into the walk-in closet, bifold doors that let you view your wall closet, and the sliding doors which could be used for either version, depending on the length of the closet itself. The accordion door is also a choice.

Bifold doors would allow you to use over-the-door system to store shoes, for example - which would not work with a sliding door. Sliding doors can look more attractive than bifold doors, however.

Matching or contrasting colors?

Of course the first thing you'll have to decide about the door is its color. You'll need to find a color that will match your bedroom walls, or set it off in a striking manner. If you'd like to give your bedroom the illusion of greater size, than you'll want to get mirrored doors. And for that really elegant touch, you can even get sliding frosted glass doors.

And you'll have to give some thought to the future, of course. If you like to change the color of your bedroom every now and then, you won't want to have to change the closet door as well because it would clash with your new decor.

Vinyl or wood or what?

And what should your closet doors be made of? You've got a lot of varieties to choose from: stamped steel, hollow core, super-thin wood, or solid wood. Solid wood doors give you the most variety in their design, for you can have them hinged, folding, sliding or with pocket applications. These doors can have flat panels - to which you can affix mirrors or fabric, or louvers. (Kestrel Wood Closet Doors is one company that offers solid wood doors of high quality. They also do custom doors.) For mirrored closet doors, Fort Glass (fabricators of Stanley Mirror Doors) are one provider out of several that you can investigate on the web.

There are so many choices that you won't want to rush into your decision. Take your time investigating sources on the web, visit such stores as Home Depot or Menards or the specialty stores in your area. You can also take advantage of open houses in housing developments to go in and visit these houses and see the way those closets and bedrooms are designed. You'll then be able to make an informed decision.

Closet Doors Dare To Be Different

BIFOLD DOORS