When purchasing a new set of doors for your home, the last thing that’s probably on your mind is whether or not they’re going to be easy or hard to open. You’re probably a little bit more concerned with selecting your glass options, deciding what type of doorframe material you want, and figuring out if you should hurricane-proof your doors.

However, if you don’t have a lot of arm strength (or you don’t fancy moving big, bulky doors), then you may be wondering about using folding doors and how heavy they are. For the most part, folding door systems are designed to be easy to open and close. However, there are certain materials that are heavier or lighter than others.

In today’s post, we’re going to answer a few of the most commonly asked questions regarding the weight of bi-fold doors, and how to ensure that your’s are the appropriate weight.

How Heavy Are Folding Doors?

The weight of a folding door system is largely dependant on the type of material your doorframe is made out of, how thick your glass is, and how large the door panels are. The average folding door panel should weigh anywhere between 160 and 200 pounds, making them quite heavy.

If you purchase soundproof or hurricane-proof glass, then they can be even heavier, as the system will likely use multiple panes of glass. Additionally, hardwood doorframes will be far heavier than aluminum or vinyl/PVC doorframes.

So, if having a lightweight door is a priority, then make sure that you select aluminum or vinyl as your doorframe material. You may also want to select a lightweight glass system and avoid special hurricane-proof glass systems (unless, of course, you live in an area prone to heavy storms).

How Are Folding Doors Able To Freely Move?

For the most part, folding door systems are designed to be fairly easy to open and close, no matter how heavy they are. This is because each door panel is evenly suspended on rollers that move along a tight, well-lubricated track. This is similar to how a 1,000-ton train can easily move along a steel railroad track.

Can Children Open Folding Doors?

A young toddler may have some difficulty opening and closing a large folding door. However, most children over the age of 6 should have no problems getting in and out of the main entrance door. That being said, they probably will not be able to fully open and close the multi-fold door system as the other door panels will be locked in place with a pin at the top of the doorframe.

Using The Everyday Swinging Door Entrance

All folding door systems feature a regular swinging door entrance that’s designed to be used for everyday entry and exits. This means you don’t have to completely open up all of the folding doors to go in and out of your home. Just twist the handle on your swinging door and it will open like a regular patio door.