HOW TO CHOOSE THE PERFECT BLINDS FOR YOUR BIFOLD DOORS
Author: John Collins - Managing Director
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If you are looking to purchase bifold doors, you may also look for the perfect blinds to complement them, providing additional privacy.
Here, we take you through the types of bifold door blinds available, how they compare to each other, and how Vufold can help.
In this guide:
Blinds aren’t always considered when purchasing bifolds – find out whether your doors need a blind.
There are several types of blinds available for bifold doors, but some are better than others. Here, we compare the different types of blinds.
The type of blind fit will dictate many aspects, such as ease of maintenance and cost. This comparison table explains the major differences between each option.
Some people decide to use curtains instead of blinds for their bifold doors. This comparison table showcases the pros and cons of both.
Anthracite aluminium doors are incredibly popular – this section will explain how to choose the right colour for your blinds.
Read about your other options of accessories when it comes to choosing your bifold doors.
Read the benefits of Vufold bifold doors and blinds.
We answer common queries on bifold doors and blinds.
What are the benefits of blinds for bifold doors?
You may have never considered blinds for bifold doors, but they can offer many benefits. Bifold door blinds provide the following benefits:
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Increase the shade in the room.
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Provide an element of privacy.
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Help keep rooms cool by blocking the sun.
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Perfect fit blinds allow you the flexibility of being able to fold back the doors entirely.
Typically, people install bifold blinds on external bifold doors. However, internal bifold doors will also benefit from blinds for many of the same reasons. If you are looking to increase shade or privacy and keep rooms cooler, a bifold blind is an excellent choice. Browse our entire blinds catalogue here.
What types of blinds are available for bifold patio doors?
Vufold provides perfect fit pleated blinds for a wide range of bifold doors, including interior and exterior. Perfect fit blinds ensure that the slats do not drag along the floor, take up too much space or disrupt the operation of your bifold door.
Other styles of blinds are also available. Below, we outline the key features of each type of blind and the benefits and drawbacks of each:
Best choice: Perfect fit blinds
Perfect fit blinds are our top choice for the best blinds for bifolds. Rooms with bifold doors often get high levels of sunlight, and in summer months this can get very warm or can be uncomfortably bright. Perfect fit blinds are thin, profile blinds that you fit onto the glass of your bifold doors. For more inspiration for decorating your bifold doors, visit our advice and inspiration section.
Vufold supply perfect fit pleated blinds. A pleated blind is designed to let enough light in to keep the room bright, while also reducing heat and privacy. You will still be able to fold back your doors when these perfect fit blinds have been fitted.
Find out more about choosing accessories for your bifold doors here.
Are you looking for an eye-catching and durable wooden bifold door?
Our pick:
FROM £2,109.00
Elegant, slim sight lines complemented by a classic white or on-trend anthracite grey finish highlight out our Master bifold doors as exceptional. These bestselling wooden bifold doors are superbly-engineered from slow grown hardwood and use a smooth stainless-steel top hung roller system that makes them easy to install and even easier to operate.
Other types of blinds for bifold doors
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Vertical blinds - these are made from a row of vertical blinds. They are often seen in older homes/offices. The fabric can stack, sometimes referred to as ‘bunching’ on the left or right side. Or, it can split in the middle of vertical blinds and evenly collect at either side of the window frame.
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Roller blinds - these are a common option for windows but can be challenging to operate when used with bifold doors. Most roller blinds are available with a maximum width of three metres. If your bifold door is wider than three metres, you may need to purchase two sets of roller blinds to cover the glass.
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Integral blinds - these are integrated into the glass unit. Integral blinds are typically horizontal blinds that are carefully fitted between the glazing in double or triple-glazed bifold doors. Integral blinds are a permanent solution and do not allow you to change the looks or style of the blinds once fitted.
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Venetian blinds – these are a problematic choice for bifold doors as they have a maximum width of 240mm, and you cannot cover a wide gap between sets of Venetian blinds. Also, Venetian blinds can be heavy, so lifting and lowering the blinds can feel like a difficult task.
View our range of blinds for exterior bifold doors here.
Perfect fit blinds vs standard fit vs integral blinds
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Cost |
Durability |
Maintenance |
Installation |
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Perfect fit |
Considered mid-range |
Very durable, Vufold offer one year guarantee |
Easy maintenance required, simple dusting or wipe |
Easy installation, with simple instructions |
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Standard fit roller blinds |
Cheapest but lowest quality |
The cheaper the blind the less durable it is likely to be |
Easy maintenance, simple dusting or wipe |
Can have confusing instructions or difficult process |
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Integral blinds |
The most expensive as they are part of the door |
Durable due to being protected inside the door |
Difficult to access and maintain if there is a fault |
Requires no installation as it is part of the door |
Blinds vs curtains for bifold doors
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Cost |
Colours & Styles |
Durability |
Maintenance |
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Blinds |
Can vary but generally cheaper than curtains, especially over time |
Available in a wide variety of colours, styles and materials |
Easy to clean. Can be dusted or wiped depending on the material |
Can keep their style and look for up to 15 years |
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Curtains |
Depends on the style of curtains and materials used, but will need to be replaced more often than blinds |
Available in a wide variety of colours, styles and materials |
Challenging to clean as it may need to be dry cleaned or serviced |
More prone to wear and tear, sunlight can reduce the saturation of colour |
Explore our collection of blinds for interior bifolding doors here.
How do you choose the right colour for your blinds?
Though you might have decided the type of blinds you are wanting to use, you also need to decide on an ideal colour. There are various options you can choose from for bifold door blinds:
Match the blind colour to the window trim
Consider matching the shade closest to your bifold door frame. At Vufold, we have a wide range of bifold door collections that are available in different shades.
Coordinate with your wall colour
Another option is matching the bifold blinds to your adjacent walls. However, this may prove difficult depending on what colour your wall is. Read our guide to choosing a bifold door colour here.
Choose a contrasting colour
If you are wanting to make a statement, consider choosing a colour that contrasts with the rest of your aesthetic. This will draw in focus and become a centre piece of your room.
What are the best colour blinds for anthracite bifold doors?
Anthracite grey bifold doors are a stunning addition to any home. Matching the colour of your blinds to your doors can dramatically enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home. Any shade of grey would complement anthracite; creating a beautiful monochrome look to your room.
Another choice is to match anthracite grey’s neutral tone with other neutral tones such as cream or white. Vufold’s perfect fit blinds have been designed exclusively for the Master range with a set of colours chosen to complement, including:
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Concrete
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Iron
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Cream
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White.
Shop our full collection of bifold door blinds here.
What other accessories are available for bifold doors?
When you choose your perfect bifold door design, you can also select a handle design that suits the style and colour of your door. Locks and handles are essential for the security of your doors and making sure it aids with the proper functioning of your doors. At Vufold, all our bifold doors use a multipoint locking system because we’re confident that this is the best and most secure option for you.
We also offer a range of lever handle designs and finishes for your patio doors, from modern colours such as black and white to traditional silver handles in brushed graphite or polished chrome. To find out more about choosing the best handles for your bifold doors, read our guide: External bifold door handles: Types and what to look for.
To find out more about what bifold door hardware is and how it works, take a look at our guide: A guide to exterior bifold door hardware.
Looking for a modern aluminium bifold door?
Our pick:
FROM £2,479.00
The Status is our most popular aluminium bifold door set, and it’s no mystery as to why. Not only are they fantastic value for such beautifully engineered bifolds, they’re available in a host of configurable options and feature a low threshold and slim sight lines to give you more light, and a better view. As if that’s not enough, our Express range is also available for delivery in just three days.
Why choose Vufold?
At Vufold, we have a wide range of bifold doors and subsequent blinds for you to choose from. Our blinds are specifically made for various types of doors, including internal and external bifold and French doors. We provide bespoke services to ensure our bifold blinds are of the highest quality; providing light control and made to measure for your doors.
We can guide you through all of your options and find the perfect solution to meet your needs and design aesthetic. You can get in touch with us today by calling 01625 442899 or email us, and we will get in touch with you right away.
Contact us today and see how we can help you.
Frequently asked questions
Can you fit blinds to aluminium bifold doors?
You can fit blinds to aluminium bifold doors, which are typically used for exterior purposes. At Vufold, we provide blinds that are exclusively designed to fit our Status and Supreme bifold range, which are made from aluminium. Browse the entire collection of blinds for aluminium bifold doors here.
How long do blinds for a bifold door last?
This all depends on the type of blinds you choose. At Vufold, our blinds are guaranteed for one year against manufacturing faults. Find out more about our guarantee offerings here.
Will blinds cause damage to your windows and bifold doors?
When choosing our perfect fit blinds, there is no damage to your property. This is because they are designed specifically for the bifold doors to ensure a “perfect” fit.
Discover more about our perfect fit blinds here.
Are perfect fit blinds only available for bifold doors?
No, perfect fit blinds are also available for other types of doors, such as French doors and internal doors. You can see the entire range of Vufold blinds here.
How do you maintain and clean blinds on bifold doors?
To remove dust, use a vacuum cleaner with the upholstery brush attachment. To remove smudges, fingerprints, etc. use a damp cloth or carefully remove the blinds from the unit and immerse the blinds in a tub or tray of lukewarm water and mild detergent.
Are bifold doors a security risk?
Bifold doors are very sturdy, particularly those made from engineered wood. High-quality double or triple glazing and strong, durable materials, as well as good quality multi point locks tested to the latest standards, ensure that external bifolding doors are not a security risk. Find out more about bifold door security here.
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About John Collins
John has built Vufold into a unique online door and window company and has spent 20 years bringing innovative products and designs to fruition, recognising niches in the market and placing them in the likes of Wickes and Travis Perkins, he started Vufold in order to sell them directly. John founded Vufold and has amassed a wealth of experience in product design and development, and in particular timber-based products
Read more about John Collins