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Exterior Folding Doors

A Buyer’s Guide to Exterior Folding Doors

The exterior doors in your home do more than just separate your interior from the outside world; they also make a statement and can even change how you live day-to-day. Exterior folding doors are often used between primary interior living spaces, such as family and living rooms, and outdoor locations, like a patio or yard. Typically, the doors feature large panes of glass, allowing a substantial of natural light to enter your home, and even as a way to support an indoor / outdoor lifestyle.

Exterior folding doors can feature frames constructed from a variety of materials, including, but not limited to:

Aluminum
Wood
Vinyl

Each option brings with it various benefits and drawbacks, and can come in at different price points. However, attractive and functional options can be found in almost any material, so you don’t necessarily have to sacrifice style regardless of what you choose.

exterior folding doors

bifold exterior folding doors

Maintenance

The amount of maintenance that is required to keep your exterior folding doors in ideal shape is primarily dictated by the frame material used. Aluminum is one of the least labor intensive, when it comes to maintaining its look and general integrity, as it doesn’t require any painting or sealing, making them ideal if you don’t want a lot of upkeep. Vinyl is not considered high maintenance but will start to show signs of age with time.

The material is prone to yellowing and can warp, particularly when exposed to the elements. Wood external folding doors have significantly higher maintenance requirements, as the wood must be painted or sealed regularly to ensure it stands the test of time. Additionally, they can be prone to warping when exposed to extreme temperatures or higher moisture levels. But, if you truly prefer the look of wood, nothing quite replicates the real thing.

exterior folding panoramic doors

Styles

Exterior folding doors can be found in a range of styles, making them appropriate for nearly any home. Many of the frames are quite simple, so much of the perceived style is based on the material used, allowing them to blend with multiple types of architecture including contemporary, Craftsman, Victorian, ranch, or rustic. Additionally, since the glass is generally clear, it also is appropriate for almost any era home.

When choosing the right exterior folding door style is a primary concern, examine some of the other features of your home or refer to architectural norms. The focus should be on selecting exterior folding doors that are respectful of your home’s overall design, allowing you to create a cohesive look.

exterior folding door

Energy Efficiency

Since exterior folding doors feature a substantial amount of glass, some heat transfer should be expected. However, you can mitigate any loss or gain by selecting doors with the right features. Most of the options will feature standard glazing, though upgrades, like double or triple glazing and UV coatings, may be available that help improve energy efficiency.

Additionally, the frame material can play a large role in how much heat transfer you experience, with wood providing the best thermal insulation in most cases. However, other features, like door seals, are also factors, as spaces between the door panels or the door and floor, walls, or ceiling can allow outside air to enter your home and vice versa. Choosing an energy efficient door is worth the investment, as it will save you money on your utility bills over the long-term, so don’t ignore this factor when making a purchase.

Questions And Answers

Can exterior doors open outwards?

Most entry doors open inward and there is a good reason for this. You don't want the hinge pins exposed on the outside for burglars to be able to easily remove your door. That being said, some doors do open outward it is just not recommended.

How do you frame an exterior door?

This will depend on whether you are making a new opening or using an existing one. This is a project that can be a do-it-yourself project but you should have some home repair knowledge. If you aren't familiar with repair work you can contract someone to do it for you.

What is the Brickmold on an exterior door?

Brickmold can be used on your door or on a casing for a window. It is used for homes and business that have an exterior that is brick. The molding is placed around the window or door and then the brick buts up against the Brickmold providing a finished look.

How do you tell if an exterior door is left or right hand swing?

This process is actually a pretty simple one. Go up to your door and then see which hand is near the knob. If the knob is by your left hand then the door had a left-hand swing. If your right hand is near the knob it is a right-hand swing.

How do you determine the swing of an exterior door?

When your back is against the door’s jamb, your right-hand will be near the knob if it is a right-swing door. Your left-hand will be near the knob if it is a left-swing door.

Can I change the swing of an exterior door?

You will take the hinges off the door. Then, take the latch plate out. Measure hinge mortises height. Mark new hinge mortises height on other side of your door. Put hinges on new hinge mortises. Reattach the door and faceplate.

Can exterior doors swing out?

In all standards, yes, an exterior door could swing out. However, they aren’t made that way because it would be considered a safety issue for your home or business, since the hinges would be exposed.

What is a right hand exterior door?

There are left and right hand exterior doors. The right hand exterior door just means that if your back was facing the door jamb and your right hand was near the doorknob, that would be right-swing or right-hand.

What is a right hand entry exterior door?

A right-hand entry exterior door can be easily explained. Face your back to the door jamb. Is your right-hand near your doorknob? If so, you have a right-hand entry exterior door.

How much is the average exterior door?

The average price of an exterior door can range widely. They can be as low as $150 and as expensive as $2500. The price varies based on different styles, durability, brand and more.

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DO IT YOURSELF

exterior door installation

How To Hang An Exterior Door That Is Not Prehung

You probably know that pre-hung doors are usually more convenient than slab doors, provided you manage to find a style that suits your needs and your doorway has a standard size. Pre-hung doors come in limited styles, which is a serious downside.

However, if you would like to adapt your favorite vintage door-style to adequately fit your constricted alleyway or back entry, you will need to hang it by yourself. This involves setting the hinges, installing the jamb and setting the knob. In a couple of ways, hanging your own door can actually be quicker and easier compared to installing a pre-hung door.

Written byBrandi

How to Build a Shed Door

How To Build A Shed Door

If you’re building a shed, you’re probably going to want some shed doors. Of course, you can have an open shed if you’d like, but most sheds are used for purposes that require doors, even if it’s only to keep out water and weather. Single shed doors are certainly an option, but if you’d like the ability and convenience of having more space to move anything in and out of your shed, consider building double shed doors. If you want to store large items in your shed, double doors are a must. However, the best choice for you is the one you make.

Written bySandy

How to Make a Hinged Door

How To Make A Hinged Door

If you just need to make a simple door, making a hinged door from plywood is the simplest door you can make, outside of hanging a sheet in the doorway. A hinged plywood door is the perfect quick fix for an exterior building that needs to be sealed, whether it be a simple shed or even a treehouse. This probably isn’t a project for first-timers, but if you’re comfortable using a circular saw and a sander, it will be a cinch. Here’s how to make your hinged door.

Written bySarah

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Douglas Fir Exterior Door

Many homeowners prefer the look of wood for the exterior doors. Wood is typically considered timeless and offers you with the most options when it comes to choosing a finish. Douglas fir exterior doors have an innate amount of character that isn’t easy to replicate with manufactured materials, like fiberglass or composite, and can’t be matched by steel. . Both options provide a significant amount of strength and longevity, as long as proper maintenance is performed. However, the construction can affect the door’s cost. Keep this in mind! Douglas fir exterior doors do require more maintenance than doors made from manufactured materials or metal. They must be sealed or painted regularly to ensure they are protected from the weather. However, the striking appearance of wood usually makes it worth the effort. read more

Sizing

Maintenance

Style

exterior folding doors

Exterior Folding Doors

The exterior doors in your home do more than just separate your interior from the outside world; they also make a statement and can even change how you live day-to-day. Exterior folding doors are often used between primary interior living spaces, such as family and living rooms, and outdoor locations, like a patio or yard. Typically, the doors feature large panes of glass, allowing a substantial of natural light to enter your home, and even as a way to support an indoor / outdoor lifestyle. . Each option brings with it various benefits and drawbacks, and can come in at different price points. However, attractive and functional options can be found in almost any material, so you don’t necessarily have to sacrifice style regardless of what you choose. read more

Maintenance

bifold exterior folding doors

Styles

exterior folding panoramic doors

Energy Efficiency

exterior folding door

single brown exterior door

Single Exterior Doors

Building a new house or just recently looked at the front of your current home and saw that it is time to update its look by replacing the front door? As you begin to consider your options remember that single exterior doors are available in pre-hung and slab style. Pre-hung door styles are easiest to install and usually sell in kits containing all the necessary items for installation. With a pre-hung purchase, you might be able to have it installed quickly with the help of some friends and there’s no need to hire a contractor. The single exterior door provides an entry and exit for the home, office, or other building in a practical manner. . This door is available in an array of styles, colors, materials, and finishes. Depending on how your home currently looks, if its traditional or contemporary, or rustic or chic, you’ll have the opportunity to update it and make it look fresh, or completely change it up so be sure and check out the options. Versatile door designs, which include glass and sidelight options in addition to others, allow a homeowner to create a unique space that matches their decor. read more

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single brown exterior door with sidelites

Costs

single entry exterior door on a colonial home

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single exterior 6 lite rustic door

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