Most residential folding door systems are typically anywhere between 6 and 8-feet tall. They’re designed to accommodate typical residential doorframes used in most homes on the market. However, if you’re building a new home from the ground-up, upgrading the structure of your home, or installing folding doors in a commercial location, then you may want something taller.

So, can you purchase tall folding doors?

Yes, tall folding doors are actually very common to see installed in commercial or industrial environments such as large offices, retail spaces, or showrooms. They can also be installed in homes, providing the proper structural adjustments are made to support the extra-large doors.

Recently, we’ve gotten quite a few questions from our readers regarding tall and extra-large folding doors. So, we decided to put together a simple post answering some of the most commonly asked questions about extra-large folding door systems.

Are Tall Folding Doors Expensive?

The materials used to make folding doors aren’t exactly cheap, and extra-tall folding doors are going to be a good bit more expensive than a standard-sized residential folding door.

Today’s modern folding doors are made using high-quality tempered glass, and often contain multiple panes of glass for increased thermal efficiency. While they’re incredibly efficient, this technology doesn’t come cheap.

Then, you have to consider the fact that folding door systems are designed to be incredibly precise. If a door panel is off by a couple of millimeters, then the entire system can become compromised. This means that doors must be crafted using custom molds and tools.

All of that being said, a lot goes into making a regular folding door panel, and even more goes into crafting extra-large folding door panels! This is why they’re more expensive.

Why Are Commercial Folding Doors Larger Than Residential Folding Doors?

Generally speaking, commercial folding doors are a good bit larger than standard residential folding doors. Why? Well, it’s mostly because commercial buildings have large entrances than your average home.

Commercial buildings are designed to feel open and spacious, allowing plenty of fresh airflow and light into the space. They’re also designed to be compliant with certain fire codes, which means that most spaces have high ceilings and large entrances. This, in turn, calls for taller-than-average door panels.

Why Purchase Tall Folding Doors?

Aside from the obvious fact that commercial spaces need larger, commercial doors, what are some reasons why some customers choose to install tall folding doors in their homes?

For A Better View

Homeowners who are fortunate enough to live in a home that affords them beautiful scenic views may want a larger folding door. These extra-tall folding doors are commonly seen in mountain homes or by the ocean, where residents can enjoy vast scenic vistas. After all, there’s no better way to feel more connected with nature than with a large “glass wall” that you can open and close at will.

Extra Light

Another reason to install extra-tall glass folding doors is that they’ll let a lot more light into your home. If natural lighting is important to you, you’ll want all of the glass you can get and may want to eliminate solid walls that block light from getting in.

What Materials Are Used For Tall Folding Doors?

Tall folding doors are a lot heavier than your average folding door system, which means that there are certain restrictions on what type of materials can be used to manufacture them. For example, vinyl/PVC cannot be used for tall folding door systems due to the fact that it’s a weaker material and isn’t able to support the extra weight without buckling.

For this reason, aluminum and stainless steel are the main doorframe materials that are used for extra-tall folding door systems. Hardwood may be used in some conditions, but it’s not quite as reliable or cost-effective for large doorways, so it’s not common.

Are Tall Folding Doors As Reliable As Smaller Doors?

Commercial folding door systems are just as reliable (if not more so) than standard-sized residential folding doors. Although they’re heavier, the extra weight is supported with reinforced steel tracks, heavy-duty rollers and door hardware, and additional welds holding the doorframe together.

Can Tall Folding Doors Be Hurricane-Proof?

Yes, tall commercial folding doors can be customized with hurricane-proof glass just like residential doors. They’re very common in tropical climates, and if you ever go down to South Beach, Miami, you’ll see plenty of large hurricane-proof folding door systems installed in the beachside resorts, condominiums, and shopping centers.

Conclusion

If you’re installing a set of folding doors in your home, then your best bet is to use the existing doorway structures that are built into your home. However, if you’re building a new home, you can design your home’s structure to support extra-large folding doors. Commercial buildings typically feature larger doorways and openings, to begin with, so you shouldn’t have any problems installing tall folding doors in a commercial space.