When choosing the right door for your garage, traditional options like roll-up or sectional doors are often the first thought. You can even have hinged garage doors, assuming there is enough space for the doors to open outwards. We are frequently asked about bifolding doors for garages. To a garage, these can add functionality with a contemporary look. Bifold doors are also now popular commercially in car showrooms, garages and service centres.
However, finding aluminium bifold garage doors is not that easy and there are several important considerations as we explain in this article and to help you make an informed choice.
What Are Bifolding Doors for garages?
A modern bifold door system is typically made up of two or more panels connected by hinges, allowing them to fold open in a concertina-like fashion. This style is still very popular for property renovations but with more of us working from home, bifold doors are being asked for in garden rooms which may also be needed for vehicle storage. People even build We are also often asked about bifolding doors for dedicated garages for classic cars and bespoke car collections.
In a garage setting, bifold doors are often designed to fold in one or two directions and can be customised to open either inwards or outwards, depending on your needs. Common materials include aluminium, steel, and wood, and sometimes steel. All these come in a range of finishes to suit different architectural styles.
Previously for commercial buildings such as car showrooms, bifolding doors for garages were rarely used. It was commercial sliding doors that were popular . However, these are used less today as they don’t meet the required U-Values for doors and these larger door sets often only come with single glass.
The risks and pitfalls when choosing bifolding doors for Garages.
While bifold doors offer some fantastic advantages, it is worth knowing that no bifold doors are specifically designed to have cars or the weight of any vehicle drive over the track. So the doors you see fitted are done mainly at the discretion of the installer. A professional installer should provide the same advice : that the doors are not designed for this use and the guarantee is limited as a result.
The truth is, most residential quality bifolds are fitted in garages and garage showrooms, and quite successfully too. However you will probably take all the risk, rather than your installer or the product designers. Will they work? Yes. Will they be reliable? Also yes, but the weak point is the bifold door track. So anything the installer can do with providing additional strength and reinforcement will help.
A good example is Origin with their range of garage doors. Despite Origin’s reputation as a bifolding door manufacturer, their garage doors (nothing more than a standard Origin bifold with solid panels) is only available as a hinged version and not as a folding. Hinged doors also have the advantage of having no threshold at all; something that’s much harder to get with a bifold.
The reality is that an installer will be willing to provide you with bifolding doors for garages, car showrooms and commercial buildings, but you will find some restrictions or exclusions.
Provide protection at the bifold door track.
Our recommendation is to opt for bifold doors can be fitted with a low flush or ramp-type threshold but you will need to provide additional protection either side. These tracks don’t have the full weather protection, neither do you need it in a garage application.
Some manufacturers recommend fitting a steel plate on either side of the track to reinforce it at the front and back edges and to take the weight of the vehicle and transfer this weight better. Some installers may have their own solution, others may leave it up to you.
Accept a Limited Warranty for Garage Use
Be aware the installer will probably have some disclaimer. Since bifold doors aren’t typically designed for garage applications, you may find that some installers offer limited or conditional warranties. Contact us and we can help you with manufacturers that have provided their doors in garages before.
Find an expert installer.
It’s essential to work with an installer who has experience fitting bifold doors for garages. A knowledgeable installer will have the benefit of knowing which products haver proved reliable and what have been the most suitable solutions at the door track. We can also advise you on the best approach, including any additional protections required to ensure your doors will withstand the practical demands of garage use.
Your garage doors may require routine maintenance.
In a commercial setting the demands on a bifold are greater than in a home. Similarly, if you intend to use your garage frequently, it’s likely your bifolds will again be used more than those in the home that you’ll probably open in Spring and Summer. As a result, bifolding doors for garages will need more frequent maintenance.
Tracks, hinges, locking mechanisms, and panels on bifold doors require regular maintenance, especially in a garage setting where dust and debris can build up. Regular cleaning and occasional lubrication of the tracks, depending on the type will also be required.
Pros and Cons of Bifolding doors for Garages, Car Showrooms and Commercial Buildings.
To help you decide if bifold doors are suitable for your garage, here’s a quick overview of the main pros and cons:
Pros
- Space-efficient opening mechanism makes them perfect for garages with limited space.
- Improves natural light in the garage, which is useful if you use the space for hobbies or as a workshop.
- Customisable designs and materials offer flexibility for matching various architectural styles.
- Modern appearance enhances the look of your home, particularly for garages used as showrooms.
Cons
- Not typically load-bearing for vehicles; may require additional reinforcement if vehicles will be driven over the threshold.
- May come with a limited warranty for use in garages, depending on the installer.
- Requires regular maintenance of hinges and tracks for smooth operation, especially in dusty environments.
Garage bifold doors – always choose aluminium.
Bifold doors in aluminium are always the most reliable, wherever they are fitted. Slimmer, stronger, more reliable and without the expansion issues, we recommend these over timber doors and PVCu doors especially.
The truth is, PVCu and timber bifolds are not designed for anything beyond domestic use and the material itself requires substantial reinforcement to deal with a high traffic environment. Aluminium bifold doors are recommended and the most reliable option.
Our recommendations for Garage bifold doors
These are our top tips for bifold doors, designed well enough for garage use. The usual caveats will apply for the track.
Schüco AS FD 75.
Highly engineered, robust and dependable with a particularly well designed set of low track options. The Schüco bifold is is not the cheapest of the bifolds, but certainly one of the best.
Solarlux Bifold Doors Ecoline and Flexa.
The benefit of Solarlux bifolds is their availability as top hung bifolds which could provide a better garage bifold door solution than the bottom hung systems. Solarlux also offers the best selection of threshold options. We’d recommend Solarlux in a garden room or stand-alone structure for classic cars.
Sunflex SF75 Eco
Another German-designed bifold that’s built to last and with a good track option is Sunflex SF75 Eco. It’ll cost more but you’ll be rewarded with a smooth folding bifold that looks great as a contemporary door or in the steel look.
Cortizo and Glideline GB49
The GB49 bifold is another recommendation coming with a flush track design that can work well for garage bifold doors. This is specially made and available through a nationwide network of installers. Get in touch for more information.
Comar 7P.i FSDX Bifold Doors
Whilst a little dated now, the Comar brand is widely used in commercial applications and is also suitable residentially. It’s not the most refined bifold out there, but it is certainly robust. Read more about Comar bifold doors.
Origin Bifold Doors
Origin OB-72 or OB-49 bifolds are great for a garage application with the usual exclusions at the track and reinforcing it for vehicles to drive over.
Are Bifold Doors Right for Your Garage?
Bifolding doors for garages offer a sleek and space-saving alternative to traditional garage doors, but they come with some specific considerations. If you’re planning to use bifold doors in your garage, it’s essential to work with an experienced installer who can advise on additional reinforcements, like steel plates, to help protect the doors from wear and tear if they’re subject to vehicle traffic.
Additionally, make sure your installer provides a suitable warranty for garage use and offers advice on maintenance to keep your doors looking and working their best. If the budget stretches to it, go with a more premium brand like Sunflex, Schüco or Solarlux for their substantially better choice of door tracks.
Contact us for more information about the best bifold garage doors for your home or commercial property, product recommendations and where to buy.
