Bifold windows, not to be confused with their big brother, the bifold door, are relative newcomers to the world of windows and doors and yet have fast become a popular feature with self builders and renovators searching for window styles.
Bifold windows are also sometimes referred to as a ‘servery window’ or sometimes ‘refectory-style window’. They were, and still can be, often found used in bistros, cafes and restaurants, where their ability to open up the side of the building, while keeping it separate from the pavement or street made practical sense.
However, the advantages of bifold windows is has now been recognised by both window manufacturers and suppliers providing products for homeowners, as well as by the homeowners themselves.
As you might expect from the name, bifold windows work in the same way as bifold doors, folding and sliding, concertina style, stacking back to one wall, leaving a clear opening.
Bifold windows offer many of the benefits of bifold doors, along with a few of their own.
Slim sightlines, the potential for huge openings, smooth operation, plenty of configuration options are amongst these advantages.
Bifold doors are not an option for everyone – particularly those concerned about losing kitchen unit space or having to rethink furniture positioning due to the full-height nature of them. Bifold windows overcome this problem, in many ways offering the best of both worlds.
Of course, they don’t open up spaces to the outside in quite the same way as bifold or sliding doors, but they do look great when combined with these products.