Folding doors are one of the biggest home design trends of 2021 and are a great way to open up your home to nature, let more fresh air and sunlight in, and create a more modernized aesthetic. Plus, today’s vinyl folding doors are also incredibly energy efficient, meaning that you won’t lose any hot or cold air on the backend!

One of the biggest reasons why homeowners go for vinyl folding doors over other doorframe materials is because they’re usually the most affordable option. However, the second-biggest reason why homeowners choose vinyl bi-fold doors is that they’re very low-maintenance. When it comes to cleaning and care, you don’t have to do a lot.

That’s not to say that they’re 100% care-free, though. From time to time you will need to clean your doors to keep them free of dirt, grime, and stains. You’ll also need to clear out the rolling track to keep it free from debris that can cause jams and door malfunctions. In today’s post, we’ll go over some of the key advantages of vinyl folding doors and how to care for them. Let’s jump in!

What Are The Advantages Of Vinyl Folding Doors?

Vinyl folding doors typically feature vinyl plating laid over a thin aluminum skeleton that holds the glass panes in-place. Although vinyl is generally considered to be a “cheap” material, it’s actually a lot more durable than most people may think.

While you may want to avoid using vinyl in an area prone to hurricanes and heavy storms, it’s perfect for low-storm areas like the West Coast or the American Mid-West.

If you’re still on the fence about whether or not you should purchase a set of vinyl folding doors or not, then this section is for you. Before we get into the specifics of caring for your vinyl door, we figured it’d be the perfect place to discuss a few of the primary advantages of using vinyl as a doorframe material, to begin with!

They’re Affordable

As we mentioned in the introduction, vinyl is easily the most affordable doorframe material. The reason being is that it’s incredibly easy to make and source. Despite the material’s low pricepoint, however, it’s actually quite durable and is able to standup to moderate wind speeds and thunderstorms.

They’re Easy To Clean

Unlike a powder-coated aluminum frame or a natural stained wood doorframe, vinyl is super easy to clean. You can clean it with almost any solution, without fear of damaging the color or shade of vinyl. The material itself is mold-resistant and you’ll never have to worry about corrosion like you would with some metal doorframes.

They Don’t Need To Be Re-Painted

Vinyl comes pre-dyed from the factory, and the dye is mixed into the liquid PVC before it’s dried. This means that you’ll never have to worry about re-painting or re-staining your vinyl doors. They should remain the same exact color throughout the lifetime of the door without any fading or tarnishing.

They’re Lightweight

Vinyl doors are very lightweight compared to wood and even some aluminum folding doors. For the elderly or those who have younger children, using a lightweight material like vinyl encourages more frequent use and enjoyment.

How Often Should Vinyl Accordion Doors Be Cleaned?

Most manufacturers generally recommend cleaning vinyl folding doors two to three times per year. Unless the doors are in a high-traffic area and are constantly being touched by people’s dirty hands, then they shouldn’t need to be cleaned more often than this.

By nature, dirt and dust don’t cling to vinyl, which means that oils and grime are going to be the door’s only real enemies.

Can You Pressure Wash Vinyl Folding Doors?

One of the easiest ways to keep your vinyl folding doors clean is to get them cleaned during your annual pressure washing sessions! Since there’s no special stain or custom paint to worry about, you can just hit them with a bit of bleach and house-cleaning solution, followed by a proper rinse.

The one thing that we would caution you to be aware of while pressure washing your vinyl porch doors is to avoid holding the nozzle too close to the vinyl door frame. Make sure that you’re standing at least a few feet back and you’re using a low-pressure nozzle.

Since vinyl is a bit of fragile material, using high-pressure nozzles can dislodge the vinyl plates are cause them to become warped. The bleach and soap should do most of the work, so you shouldn’t need a lot of pressure or additional scrubbing.

How To Remove Stains From Your Vinyl Folding Doors

For most cases of mild dirt or grime buildup, pressure washing the doors should be enough to do the job. Vinyl doors are naturally stain-resistant, but sometimes accidents happen. If a staining liquid is allowed to sit on the vinyl’s surface for too long before being cleaned, it can easily cause topical discoloration.

When it comes to cleaning stains on vinyl, we have two recommendations for cleaning them and restoring their natural color:

• A solution of 30% white vinegar and 70% warm water.
• A mild, soapy solution consisting of 1 tablespoon of dish soap mixed with 8 ounces of water.

You’ll also want a soft cloth or a brush with soft bristles. Avoid hard-bristled brushes as these can scratch the surface of the vinyl. Simply rub or brush the cleaning mixture into the stained area, rinse, and wipe away. Most stains should come right off!

How To Clean The Tracks On Your Porch Folding Doors

Last but not least, you’ll also need to clean out the bottom tracks of your folding doors from time to time. The easiest way to do this is by using the hose attachment on your vacuum. For larger debris, though, you may want to use a thin, hard-bristled brush or even tweezers.

Conclusion

As you can see, vinyl folding doors are incredibly low-maintenance. As long as you can keep up with a bit of routine cleaning a couple of times per year, then you shouldn’t have any problem keeping them in excellent condition!