If you’ve been shopping around for a set of bi-fold doors, then you’ve probably noticed that some companies charge a good bit of money to ship the doors to you, even after custom manufacturing costs. The reason for this is that they are very heavy. So, that being said, just how heavy are bi-fold doors and multi-fold door systems?

On average, each folding door panel weighs around 150 to 200 pounds. However, this can vary significantly, depending on the type of doorframe material used, the thickness of the glass, the height of the door panels, and whether or not they’re impact rated or not.

In today’s post, we’re going to take some time to discuss the average weight of folding door systems. Below, we’ll compare the average weights of various folding doors depending on the doorframe material used and discuss other factors that may contribute to the total weight of the system. This piece is going to be a bit more technical, but we’ve gotten a lot of questions on the topic recently, so we figured that it was time to address the concerns.

How Much Do Folding Doors Weigh?

As we mentioned above, the average weight of a single residential folding door panel is going to be around 175 pounds. This includes the hardware, doorframe, and glass window pane. 175 pounds is the weight of the average adult male, so just imagine trying to pick up an entire person. Not exactly lightweight, right?

Comparing Average Weights Of Folding Door Materials

The good news is that if you’re looking for a lightweight option, you have options. Conversely, if you’re a fan of ultra-heavy and imposing folding doors, there’s something for you as well. So, with that being said, let’s compare some of the average weights of various folding door materials.

How Much Do Vinyl Folding Doors Weigh?

Vinyl folding doors are easily the lightest folding door systems. They’re also the cheapest to manufacture, and both of these factors have led to vinyl being the leading material used to make affordable folding door systems. On average a residential vinyl folding door panel will weigh around 130 to 150 pounds. This is a good bit lighter than the average, which makes them easy to open and close.

The one drawback to an all-vinyl folding door system is that they aren’t as sturdy as aluminum and wood. This limits the maximum size of the door panel and means that you can’t use vinyl for extra-tall doorways.

How Much Do Aluminum Folding Doors Weigh?

Aluminum is both strong and lightweight. Its natural abundance means that it’s also relatively low-cost as well. On average, residential aluminum folding doors weigh around 180 pounds per door panel. This makes them around 50 pounds heavier than a vinyl door panel. However, due to the extra rigidity of aluminum, the material can support extra-large doorways.

How Much Do Wood Folding Doors Weigh?

All-natural wood folding doors are definitely the heaviest door systems. This is due to wood’s incredibly thick density. Of course, the upside of this is that wood is an incredible insulator, which makes it optimal for incredibly low or high-temperature climates. On average, residential hardwood door panels weigh around 190 to 200 pounds, making them significantly heavier.

How Much Do Wood-Plated Folding Doors Weigh?

If you’re looking to achieve the beautiful appearance of natural wood, but still want a lighter-weight door, then you may want to look for “wood-plated” folding doors. These doors typically use a thin, lightweight aluminum skeleton that’s layered over with thin pieces of natural hardwood. On average wood-plated folding door panels weigh around 175 to 180 pounds, making them around the same weight as an aluminum door.

Residential Folding Doors Vs. Commercial Folding Doors

Commercial folding doors are almost always going to be heavier than residential folding doors. This is due to the fact that commercial folding doors are almost always manufactured from industrial-grade aluminum and tend to have higher overall heights than residential folding door systems. It’s not uncommon for commercial folding door panels to weigh upwards of 300 pounds or more!

Are Hurricane-Proof Folding Doors Extra-Heavy?

Hurricane-proof folding door systems are going to be the heaviest of all. This is mostly due to the fact that they’re designed with ultra-thick impact-resistant glass which can weigh up to 30% more than regular residential glass panes. Some hurricane-proof folding door panels can easily weigh 250 to 300 pounds per panel.

Conclusion

Generally speaking, the heavier the door is, the more durable it is and the longer it will last you. This is especially important if you’re purchasing a door in an area that’s prone to high winds and heavy storms. However, if you live in a moderate environment where storms aren’t an issue, then you may find that a lighter-weight vinyl door system fits your needs better than heavy-duty folding doors.