This popular glazed door system can add wow factor to your home. Anamika Talwaria investigates how to get it right

Above: This run of bifolds from Folding Doors 2U benefits from a solid overhang to prevent overheating, which is also fitted with spotlights so the owners can enjoy the patio at all times of day. 

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magine a run of glazed doors that open up an entire wall to give you full access to both the garden and your inside spaces. Bifolds are hugely popular precisely for their ability to deliver that seamless indoor/outdoor connection. This style of glazed door is made up of a series of panels that concertina and stack neatly to one side when open. But while the idea of flinging open a wall of glass sounds like a dream, there are a few things to think about when figuring out if this is the right choice for you and, crucially, to ensure a successful install.

Why choose bifolds?

If you want to connect indoors and out, as well as extend your living area, this is the perfect option. “Bifold doors can help your internal and external spaces to link and form one cohesive area for entertaining,” says Matt Higgs, co-founder and director at Kloeber. “They almost act as an extension of your home, by allowing you to join different zones together without any glass barrier when open, which sets them apart from sliding or French doors.”

Versatility can be built in; so, you don’t always have to open the full run. Depending on the size of the aperture, you could specify that one of the door leafs will operate independently for quick access to the garden (perfect if it’s a frequent entrance/exit). When you want to open the wall wide, the rest of the panels stack up neatly to one side, or to both, depending on the configuration. For example, if you opt for six panels, you could split them into two runs of three doors which meet in the middle and stack to either side of the opening. So, you get the simplicity of French doors, with the ability to go for the full indoor/outdoor effect if you wish. For a really wow-factor look, you could even design in some corner glazing, with your bifolds meeting at the edge so you can open the whole aperture.