Thanks to the folding opening of the leaf, folding doors are a valid alternative to classic hinged doors, above all when you need to optimise the space available, as the space they take up in the room is less.
as the leaf opens, it folds with a ratio between the parts of 1/2 or di 1/3 and 2/3, which is specifically why they are called folding doors;
there are therefore two panels making up the door, which can be identical in size (when shut, the door features a central cut down the middle) or asymmetrical (the cut is on one side and one panel is wider than the other);
the two parts are held together by concealed hinges, which allow the leaves to swivel and stack up on one side;
the space inside the room is halved compared to the hinged door type;
the passageway is reduced because as they fold up the panels overlap;
the opening can either be towards the left or right, either into the room or out from it, as required;
the design can match that of the other doors in the home, for an even and harmonious overall look;
special hinges can also be fitted, allowing the leaf to be flush-fit with the edge cover.
What are the benefits of folding doors? When would they be the better choice?
they are space-saving doors for use indoors, ideal to grant practical and compact access to small-size rooms, such as: broom cupboards, wardrobes, corridors, kitchenettes, bathrooms, walk-in wardrobes and other utility spaces;
they are easy to install, with a practical and simple opening mechanism;
the smaller space occupied inside the room makes for free organisation of space, which can be furnished easily;
they constitute a valid alternative when space-saving sliding systems cannot be fitted. The ease of fitting the folding mechanism comes to our aid when it is impossible to install a counterframe for a pocket sliding door inside the wall, or when there is no opportunity to carry out any masonry work, or when there is not enough space to fit the track of a door sliding outside the wall;
they have the power to reduce the visual and physical impact of the door within the home, and are therefore ideal for those in search of an understated furnishing solution;
they can be made in any material, finish and style. They can be ordered in wood or in laminate, in wood finish or lacquered, classic or modern, smooth or decorated;
they can be fitted with glazed leaves to emphasise and enhance the passage of natural light between rooms. They are perfect in small, dark rooms such as: broom cupboards, utility rooms, corridors, laundry rooms and windowless bathrooms. The glass inserted in the leaf is tempered safety plate glass available in a host of different sizes and colours to accommodate any styling requirement.
When to choose a folding door or a pocket sliding door
When you need to minimise the amount of space occupied and maximise practicality, the choice of interior doors always falls on space-saving doors. These include both folding and sliding doors. Let’s find out more about each type:
sliding doors: there are two types, sliding inside or outside the wall. In the former case, a counterframe needs to be inserted inside the wall (which entails masonry work). It allows the leaf to slide into the pocket in the wall. The door panel disappears from view and does not take up space inside the room, but its installation is only advisable during property refurbishment work. The type of door that slides outside the wall does not require any invasive work, since it has an external track which needs to be secured to the wall, and along which the leaf slides parallel with the wall. However, this requires that you leave the wall free from any furniture and installations, to allow the panel to slide without any obstacles;
folding doors: these are an excellent alternative if you do not what to perform any masonry work and the wall is occupied by furniture and/or electricity sockets and switches. In this case the door folds and stacks up on itself, since it consists of two separate parts, joined together by concealed hinges. You should keep in mind, however, that although the two panels don’t take up space inside the room, they do reduce the passageway width, so take this solution into careful consideration especially if the door is small in size.
