Browse Forums Windows & Doors 1 Sep 02, 2008 12:54 pm Which do you prefer? We have a courtyard in our house plan and we need doors to lead out to it. We are tossing up between sliding stackers and bi-folds. We know that stackers are a lot cheaper but then they don't open up as much. If you have had to make a choice which way did you go and why? Re: Bi-folds or Stackers? 2Sep 02, 2008 12:56 pm I looooovvvee bifolds. But I hate the flies & mozzies.
So we've gone with stackers. THe opening isn't quite as wide, but i'd rather this than the bugs . Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Bi-folds or Stackers? 3Sep 02, 2008 12:59 pm I don't know, I'm still undecided for our home. We have two sets that will meet in the corner, so the opening will be quite big anyway.
I think we're going with bi-folds because I think they have more wow factor, and that's what we're after for this area of the home. We could save $3k by going with stacking but I don't want to kick myself later! Re: Bi-folds or Stackers? 4Sep 02, 2008 1:02 pm We have an alfresco with three rooms leading on to it. We are having sliding stackers on all doors.
A few reasons I prefer them to bi-folds: I don't want to stain wood. Ever! The stackers, while not opening quite as wide, also don't intrude into the outdoor area. Once the bifolds are open, the stack sort of sits out into the outdoor area. With more than one this intrudes too much in my opinion. Stackers don't interfere with the outside area. Price. Stackers give the same practical effect, different look obviously, and I felt the money could be better spent somewhere else. Bi-folds are an absolute pain in the ar*e to open and close. But I'm quite challenged when it comes to co-ordination. My most controversial view. I think bi-folds are a fad that will date. This is just my view though and I know people with bi-folds that absolutely love them and wouldn't have anything else. Jo I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Bi-folds or Stackers? 5Sep 02, 2008 1:14 pm If we could afford either I'd go for stacker for most of the reasons Jo listed - I also think stackers have a more modern/minimalist/clean lines kind if look which I like
We're just having two sets of regular aluminium sliding doors - one to the alfresco and one to the back yard. Re: Bi-folds or Stackers? 7Sep 02, 2008 7:54 pm We have bifolds in our last build. We ended up getting a window film put on them to cut down glare and heat. Our tenants say they are painful to open and close as Jo said. And what a pain to 'furnish'.
If you go down this route, make sure one of the end doors opens the opposite way to the bulk of them for quickr entry/exit to backyard. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ We're going with stackers for this build if that gives you any indication of my personal 'choice' now we've expereinced the bifold phenonemon Re: Bi-folds or Stackers? 8Sep 02, 2008 8:35 pm Stackers are absolutly crap especially when used with double glazing.
A better solution is a lift and slide door. The sashes can be easily 3m wide and 2.5m high. With the double version (12m element) a six metre wide opening can be created. It doesn't matter whether it is large or small, double or triple glazed, the operation is effortless Lift and slide doors are made of IV68 Timber IV68 Timber/Aluminium PVCu PVCu/Aluminium or thermally broken Aluminium Re: Bi-folds or Stackers? 9Sep 02, 2008 9:05 pm happyhome. not sure about practicality of those doors but they sure look good!
donuts, like you, we are just haveing regular aluminium sliding doors, we have 2 meeting in middle so opening can be 2 doors wide, not sure what you would ever need to do that requires a wider opening than this. One big drawback of bifolds, IMO, is the inability to put screen doors with them. I know there are roll up screens and such but the simple sliding ampilmesh type doors with the glass doors are easier to use by far IMO. http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/nurselovescoffee/HPIM0736.jpg Re: Bi-folds or Stackers? 10Sep 02, 2008 9:59 pm windowexpert Stackers are absolutly crap especially when used with double glazing. Oh Bugger!!! I should just stop reading this forum as I end up wanting to change too many things!!! Can I ask why you say this windowexpert? Do the 'leak' air when closed? Could you give an indication of the cost for the lift and slide doors in comparison to the stacker doors? Thanks 'chelle We have a hand-over date...15/10...but I won't hold my breath! http://people-in-glass-houses.blogspot.com/ Re: Bi-folds or Stackers? 11Sep 02, 2008 10:15 pm We went with a 4 panel bifold that has a single opening door that can be used on its own without opening the rest. I love the look of the wide opening but you can't put screens on them. I don't think they intrude too much on the outdoor space (or not as much as I expected .. about 400 mm).
We've also put a sliding door on the adjacent wall for functionality between the outdoor and kitchen area so we get the best of both worlds. The bifold is a winner IMO for entertaining value but I am glad we have bug protected access on the slider for other nights. Re: Bi-folds or Stackers? 12Sep 03, 2008 1:34 pm Thank you for all the feedback. I was definitely leaning more towards bi-folds but a lot of good points were raised about stackers.... now a lot more thinking to be done... Re: Bi-folds or Stackers? 13Sep 04, 2008 12:13 pm My uneducated vote is for bi-folds. I am sure the practical side of stacker doors appeals to a lot of people, but I just love the look of the bi-folds. We also have an outdoor area the joins 3 rooms. To my mind, bi-folds are the only way to go.
Of course, I'll humbly eat my words once I've lived with them for a while Damo Visit my blog: http://damosbitofblog.blogspot.com/ Re: Bi-folds or Stackers? 14Sep 05, 2008 3:00 pm We had bifolds chosen then thought of the flys and mozzies, and in summer we get heaps so changed to stackers. I actually love the look of bifolds best but I am too practical and I dont want any little crawly things coming in while I am not looking. Re: Bi-folds or Stackers? 15Sep 05, 2008 3:43 pm These were our stackers in our last house and for the cost they were great but not sure if I would do them again.
I would probably do bi folds or normal sliding doors over stackers. They look pretty similar to normal sliders. Not sure if you can see but the width of the base was so big to accomadate the stacker that it was pointless then adding another base for flyscreens. Loved them for their purpose but wouldn't go them again. If someone knows how please tell me how to make my photos smaller.. My photos are shouting at everyone I swear. (I use photobucket) http://i511.photobucket.com/albums/s360/gweluphome/P1010363.jpg http://i511.photobucket.com/albums/s360/gweluphome/P1010375.jpg Re: Bi-folds or Stackers? 16Sep 05, 2008 5:23 pm gweluphome If someone knows how please tell me how to make my photos smaller.. My photos are shouting at everyone I swear. (I use photobucket) Hi gweluphome, It's very easy. Login to your photobucket account and click on the picture you want to make smaller. Then above the picture you will see a resize option. I usually choose 'medium'. You can also click on edit and then click resize, either way you get the same thing. Hope that helps 'chelle We have a hand-over date...15/10...but I won't hold my breath! http://people-in-glass-houses.blogspot.com/ Re: Bi-folds or Stackers? 17Sep 05, 2008 5:40 pm Thanks Chelle, how easy is that, I really am computer blonde sometimes. Re: Bi-folds or Stackers? 19Sep 05, 2008 8:13 pm Thanks Donuts that makes me feel a bit better but I do get a bit embarassed when I post photos and they turn out so massive so I will be resizing in the future unless alot of detail is needed. Re: Bi-folds or Stackers? 20Sep 05, 2008 8:24 pm If someone knows how please tell me how to make my photos smaller..
My photos are shouting at everyone I swear. (I use photobucket) Quote: What I normally do is to make the photo smaller in file size first, by opening in Microsoft Office Picture Manager, before uploading to Photobucket. That way, it would be quicker to upload and smaller in size. I normally shrink it to just 30%. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Built the Nevada 42 Next project - landscaping! |