Your kind of home.
An opening for
every possibility.
Start with the opening and the way you use the space. Compare how each door style opens, where it fits and what to plan around before choosing a model.
Five ways to open
a new chapter.
Front Doors
Hinged entry opening
Sliding Glass Doors
Panels slide along a track
Pivot Doors
Rotates around a pivot
Bi-Fold Doors
Panels fold and stack
Garage Doors
Operation varies by system
Opening arrangements and available configurations vary by model. Confirm dimensions, clearances and project suitability before ordering.
Find your way to
the right style.
Work from the opening’s needs to the door style, then to the specific product.
IN THIS GUIDE
Begin with the way the opening is used
Before choosing a door, write down what matters at that opening. You may want a welcoming main entrance, a wide connection to the patio or a garage that brings in daylight. These priorities make it easier to compare styles without becoming distracted by a photograph that belongs to a different type of space.
Look at the opening with the furniture in place. Consider the route through the door, the floor level on each side and the space the door needs as it opens. Take a photo from the position where you normally approach it. This often communicates the practical need more clearly than a close-up of the existing frame.
Compare hinged, sliding, pivot and folding operation
Front doors swing on hinges along one edge. Sliding glass doors move panels along a track. Pivot doors rotate around a pivot point set into the frame. Bi-fold doors use hinged panels that fold and stack to the side, and garage doors follow the operating arrangement of the selected system. Think through the movement of each style in your actual space.
Ask to identify the moving and fixed parts of the proposed configuration. The arrangement shown in a general category image may not be the same as the product you select. Where a door swings or folds into a space, discuss the clearance around furniture, steps, planting and other features. Do not make the decision from the closed appearance alone.
Decide where a wide opening makes sense
Sliding and bi-fold doors can both create a broad connection between the living space and the outdoors, but they do it differently. Sliding panels stay within the frame and move along a track, while bi-fold panels fold back and stack at the side. Consider how often you will open the door fully and where the panels will rest.
You can also compare a combination of doors and fixed glass. Consider the overall frame pattern and the relationship between adjacent openings rather than judging each door separately. Use the style pages to explore the design direction, then return to the exact model and configuration for dimensions and options.
Keep appearance and specification in the same conversation
Frame finish, glass appearance, hardware and the position of divisions all influence the finished look. Review them together, particularly where the front door, garage door and windows are visible on the same elevation. If privacy is a concern, explain the space and sightlines so the team can discuss the options available for the selected product.
At the same time, keep a record of the manufacturer, model, dimensions and opening configuration. The style name describes a category; it does not establish the performance or options of every product in that category. Use the corresponding documents and complete specification when making the final comparison.
Make a useful shortlist for your project
Choose one or two suitable styles for each opening and note why you are considering them. Add a photograph and identify any access or appearance concerns. This is enough to make the next conversation productive without deciding every technical detail yourself.
If you are ready to buy a specified product, follow the style page to the available models. If you need help with measurement, selection or installation, bring the shortlist to a project enquiry. The selected product and the work at your property should be confirmed together before you commit.
Your project shortlist
- Entrance, patio or garage priorities
- Opening clearance and everyday access
- Interior and exterior sightlines
- A model-level specification
Can I mix door styles in the same home?
Yes, a design can combine different door styles. Review the arrangement, finishes and proportions as a whole, and have the suitability of each proposed door checked for its opening.
Does a style tell me the exact performance?
No. Use the documentation for the manufacturer, model and configuration you are considering. Avoid transferring performance claims from one product to every door with a similar opening style.
Should I choose a sliding or a bi-fold door?
Both can open a living space to the outdoors. Sliding doors keep their panels within the frame, while bi-fold doors fold and stack to the side. Compare how often you will open the door fully, where the panels will rest and the specification of each model.
What should I bring when asking for help?
Share the names of the openings, photographs, your property location and the features you want to improve. Explain whether you need a product purchase or a project that also includes installation.
Your next good question.
Let’s find the right fit
for your home.
Share your ideas. Find your door. Let’s plan your next step.
