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types of door openings

A door is just a door — or is it? There are actually several different types of door openings, each bringing unique attributes to your home! Let’s review some of the main door types and their ideal uses.

Sliding Doors

Sliding doors are a great addition to any home. They are essentially a two for one product – a window and a door! 

Since sliding doors have large glass panes, they offer unparalleled views of your garden and landscape. Incorporating nature into your home is always on trend. What better way to bring the outside in than by installing a large window into your home that also allows you to access nature?

Sliding doors are compact by nature and great for small spaces. They don’t take up any valuable room space when you want to leave them open.

This type of door opening is surprisingly energy efficient in two different ways. By bringing more light into your home, you are less inclined to use electricity during the day. Double paned tempered glass is becoming more and more insulative and energy efficient. 

Sliding doors are best suited as backdoors to access a private yard or patio. They are less ideal as interior doors due to their lack of privacy, but this could work to your advantage in an open office layout. Barn doors are an attractive alternative for interior spaces. 

Bifold Doors

Interior bifold doors are typically used as a clever way to conceal closet storage space while maintaining a small footprint in a bedroom or hallway. What if they could also be a design feature? Bifold doors are the chameleon of interior design. They can be introduced into any room, of practically any style, and make that space even more special.

Innovation and creativity are essentials in planning your home. Breaking out of the mold of what a bifold is “supposed” to be used for can create a unique and inspiring home design.

Floor to ceiling windows or sliding doors can be transformed with the installation of a Bifold Door door like the Bifold Flat Louver Shaker! This type of door opening is very versitile. 

This traditional plantation style will look very modern and clean with our bifold louver’s straight, clean lines. The smooth surface of this ventilated “closet” door won’t collect dust. Considering that light illuminates dust, the Bifold Flat Louver Shaker could reduce the amount of time you spend dusting your blinds!

Hinged Doors

This traditional door is fixed to the opening on one side using hinges and turns to open. This door, with its easy, practical opening action, is usually less expensive than doors of other types. It fits into a standard door frame but does have a variety of heights and widths available if you are building a custom home.

For retrofitting and remodeling, a hinged door is by far the most straightforward option.  

Just because these doors are traditional doesn’t mean they are boring! When designed thoughtfully, traditional doors can actually contribute to your decor. There are many styles available to you. 

Hinged doors excel at acoustic and thermal insulation. This makes them ideal for rooms that require privacy, like bedrooms, bathrooms and offices.

Barn Doors

The barn doors are champions in both traditional and modern interior layouts. Paint your favorite shade to create a custom look or leave it as is! In addition to looking good, there are many great reasons why a barn door would make a lovely addition to your home!

Not only do barn doors save space while making your home feel cozy, they are also an easy to install, lightweight product. Because a barn door can be installed on the outside of an existing wall, homeowners can install a sliding barn door on their own! Where pocket doors were the solution to small spaces, barn doors now reign. 

Obviously a barn door does a great job at being a door. It is also an excellent design feature that adds instant appeal to any space – it is a focal point in any room.

What could otherwise be a basic, even boring, element becomes charming and interesting with a barn door. What’s not to love?

If you can only have one, consider installing a primed barn door in a bathroom down a narrow hallway. That way, you don’t have to sacrifice precious floor space or style!

On the other end of the spectrum, if your home has a more open, modern layout, adding a primed barn door can be the perfect solution for creating more intimate spaces.

The blended dining room and kitchen is nice, but sometimes you want to be able to hide away the mess you made in the kitchen. Installing barn doors can give you the option of privacy, while still providing easy access to the kitchen while you host a dinner party!

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