Are you looking for a bright, open patio door that lets in plenty of light and a nice, cool breeze? Do you want a wide opening so your guests don’t crash into each other while you’re entertaining? Maybe you just have a great view that you want to enjoy. Whatever your goal, you’re starting to think accordion glass doors may be for you. Here’s what you need to know to make your decision.
What Are Accordion Glass Doors?
Accordion glass doors, also known as bifold, folding, or collapsible doors, consist of multiple panels that fold back against themselves. They operate along a track, with each panel hinged to the next, allowing them to stack neatly to one or both sides. Unlike traditional hinged doors, which swing open and require significant clearance space, accordion doors can maximize your space.
How Do Accordion Glass Doors Work?
Accordion sliding glass doors move along a track system, which can be mounted at the top, bottom, or both. They usually have one handle on the lead panel, but might have multiple handles, depending on the size of the door. When you pull the handle to open the door, the panels slide along the track and fold together. When closing, the panels unfold and spread out along the track, forming a solid barrier. The lead panel also usually has a central lock that, when engaged, secures all the panels in place.
Best Places for Accordion Glass Doors
The accordion style is the ideal panoramic door, creating a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor areas and providing expansive views and easy access. They’re a great choice for any of the following locations:
- Patios or decks: Accordion glass doors create a seamless indoor-outdoor transition, ideal for entertaining and enjoying outdoor views.
- Living rooms: They can open up the living area, making it feel more spacious and connected to other parts of the house.
- Sunrooms or conservatories: These doors maximize natural light and provide flexible access to outdoor spaces, making them ideal for sunrooms.
- Large interior openings: You can also use interior glass accordion doors to divide spaces, such as separating a dining room from a living room, while still allowing for an open feel.
Benefits of Accordion Glass Doors
Accordion glass doors offer flexibility, aesthetic appeal, and practical benefits, making them a popular choice for contemporary homes looking to blend indoor and outdoor living spaces.
Modern Look
The clean lines and large glass panels of folding patio doors provide an elegant appearance that can complement various architectural styles. The large glass panels also offer panoramic views of the outdoors, creating a sense of openness. Overall, modern doors are seen as upgrade that can set your home apart from others on the market.
Space Efficiency
Unlike traditional hinged doors, which require a wide clearance area to swing open, glass accordion doors fold neatly to one side, maximizing the usable space. They’re perfect for entertaining because they can open up the entire wall. This feature plus options for low-profile thresholds also make these doors accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.
Versatility
Accordion glass doors come in various sizes and configuration options. They can be tailored to fit many different opening sizes, from small to large expanses. They’re also versatile in terms of placement, and can be used in patios, living rooms, sunrooms, conservatories, and bedrooms.
Disadvantages of Accordion Glass Doors
While accordion glass doors offer many advantages in terms of aesthetics, space efficiency, and flexibility, they come with some potential disadvantages.
Cost
Accordion glass doors tend to be more expensive than traditional doors due to their complex design, high-quality materials, and custom installations. Options like energy-efficient glass, custom finishes, and enhanced security features can increase the cost even more.
Installation Complexity
Due to their complexity, you’ll want to hire a professional installation company to ensure proper alignment and smooth operation. Installing glass accordion doors might also require structural modifications, such as reinforcing your door frame or adjusting the threshold. Both of these things can add to the cost.
Maintenance
While accordion glass doors aren’t high-maintenance, you will need to regularly clean and lubricate the tracks and hinges to ensure smooth operation. Dust and debris can accumulate in the tracks, especially on exterior glass doors, making them difficult to open and close. As with any door, the weather seals can also wear out over time.
Weather Concerns
Because they typically have a small threshold, accordion glass doors could leak during heavy rain or high winds. And, while today’s doors are more advanced than ever, you’ll probably want to choose some additional features, like Low-E glass and tints, to improve energy-efficiency and help protect your furnishings from UV damage.
Alternatives to Accordion Glass Doors
Accordion glass doors offer many benefits, but they’re not for everyone. It’s also worth checking out sliding doors and pocket doors, which provide similar amounts of natural light and ventilation along with other benefits.
Sliding Glass Doors
While the accordion style can be considered a sliding folding door, traditional sliding patio doors do not fold, but stack on top of each other. They consist of two or more large glass panels, where at least one panel slides horizontally along a track to open and close. Their advantages include:
- Simplicity: Their simpler style generally means they’re easier and cheaper to install compared to accordion glass doors.
- Weather resistance: With fewer moving parts and a larger threshold, sliding doors can provide better insulation and weather resistance.
- Ease of use: Sliding doors are straightforward to operate and come with easy-to-use locking mechanisms.
Pocket Doors
Pocket doors are similar to accordion doors, but they slide into a compartment within the wall, completely disappearing from view when open. Their advantages include:
- Space saving: Like sliding doors, pocket doors don’t require swing space, making them ideal for areas where space is at a premium.
- Maximized opening: They can provide a wide opening without taking up wall space when open, similar to folding patio doors but without the visible stacked panels.
- Aesthetic appeal: When open, pocket doors are totally hidden from view, providing an even more clean and unobstructed appearance than accordion sliding glass doors.
Find the Right Door for Your Patio
The patio door style you choose will depend on your specific needs, budget, and design preferences. If you’re considering accordion glass doors, it’s especially important to consult with a professional who can help you determine if they’re right for your project.
MI Windows and Doors can help you find the perfect exterior glass doors. We’ve specialized in patio doors for decades, and our products are made with quality materials and premium craftsmanship. Find an MI Certified Dealer in your area to learn more about how we can help you bring your vision to life.
