Bi-fold windows and doors are a popular choice for modern homes, providing an open-plan style which extends into the outdoors. Made of multiple panels which fold back on themselves, bi-fold doors create a seamless link to your patio or decking, often spanning the length of a room for a dramatic window solution. And dramatic window solutions require beautiful coverings!
As fantastic an option as bi-fold doors and windows are, the reality is that the sheer size of them can mean extra heat lost in the winter and more heat gained in the summer. The glass can also have an impact on your privacy and security, especially in gardens which are overlooked or where the bi-fold doors lead onto a balcony from a bedroom.
It would be a shame to try to mitigate these problems by hiding the glass altogether, such as with big curtains or ill-fitting fabric blinds. For such a large space, the curtains or blinds would also have to be huge, making them difficult to keep clean.
Luckily, there’s another way you can cover these beautiful openings without sacrificing their beauty. Custom-made plantation shutters for bi-fold doors and windows are a versatile, stylish, and practical solution. Here’s some other benefits of shutters…
Benefits of Shutters for Bi-fold Doors and Windows
Privacy
Many window coverings, such as blinds and curtains, allow for two settings only: open and closed. This means that you often have to choose between having natural light flow into your home and having privacy. For bi-fold doors facing out to the road, you’ll want privacy from passersby: for those adjoining your garden, you might want privacy from your neighbours.
The adjustable louvres in our shutters can be tilted to obscure the view from outside, whilst still allowing light to enter the room. This gives you complete control over your privacy. As well as improved privacy, security shutters serve as a barrier to potential intruders, as they make it more difficult for them to gain access through the windows. They also prevent children or pets from falling out of open windows, meaning you can let plenty of air flow through your upstairs rooms without worry.
Practicality
Shutters are an inherently practical choice for your bi-fold windows and doors.. They’re easy to clean and maintain, requiring just a simple wipe every now and then, as opposed to fabric curtains and blinds which can accumulate dust and require regular laundering or vacuuming. Because our shutters are made from hypoallergenic materials and repel dust, they don’t harbour dust mites or pollen, minimising airborne irritants.
Shutters are also incredibly easy to operate, opening and closing without the faff of a traditional blind cord. At Just Shutters, we even have automated shutters, which can make your shutter-opening experience as simple as pushing a button. This is particularly useful for large shutter systems used to cover bi-fold windows and doors which span the length of a room as you won’t have to open or adjust each panel manually.
Temperature regulation
Maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home is essential, both for comfort and energy efficiency. Windows and doors are where the most heat is transferred between the inside and outside of your home – even more so in large window systems like bi-fold windows and doors. Shutters provide an extra layer of insulation, helping to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. This can reduce the need for artificial heating and cooling, as well as providing an overall more comfortable experience.
Safety
One of the biggest safety benefits of using shutters for bi-fold doors and windows is the absence of traditional blind cords or chains which usually dangle dangerously, posing risks to young children and pets as they can become entangled. The sleek, cord-free design of child-friendly shutters creates a much safer environment for you without compromising on style.
Style
Speaking of which: last but certainly not least on our list of benefits is in fact style. Louvred plantation shutters are undoubtedly beautiful, with a huge range of materials and colours available from Just Shutters to ensure your bi-fold door and window coverings fit perfectly into your home. Our shutters are made-to-measure to perfectly fit your frames, leaving no unsightly gaps, and simply enhancing the innate style of your windows.
Styles of Shutters for Bi-fold Windows and Doors
Full-height shutters
As suggested in the name, full-height shutters for bi-fold doors and windows consist of a series of full-height panels which span the entire window from top to bottom. They are hinged, allowing you to swing them open fully for maximum light, or close them for extra privacy or darkness. You can also adjust the louvres to find a spot between those two extremes throughout the day, whether you want to prevent direct sunlight from heating your home, or hide your room from view.
Full-height shutters can also be fitted with a horizontal divider in the middle which strengthens larger shutters and allows you to adjust the top and bottom sections of louvres independently from each other.
Tier-on-tier shutters
Tier-on-tier shutters for bi-fold doors and windows consist of multiple panels stacked on top of each other, usually no more than two or three depending on the height of your windows. Like full-height shutters when fitted with central dividers, the louvres of each panel can be adjusted independently from each other. However, tier-on-tier shutters also allow the different panels to be opened and closed independently as well. This gives you even more control over how much light or air you let in – for example, you can keep the bottom panels closed whilst swinging the top ones open, letting air flow through the house without compromising your privacy.
Tracked shutters
Tracked shutters are a popular choice for large windows and doors, including bi-fold or sliding doors. They’re installed using a track system which consists of either just a top track or a top and bottom track which allows the shutters to be opened by folding them back as a full system. Rather than being affixed to each individual window, they can be completely moved to either side, fully closed, or even angled open.
Shutters for Bi-fold Doors and Windows at Just Shutters
At Just Shutters, we have the widest range of shutter styles in the UK – including some exclusive ranges! You can trust us to create the perfect solution for dividing your living space. We build and fit your shutters to your bi-fold doors and windows according to your exact specifications, seamlessly fitting them into your home.
To get started, browse our range of high-quality plantation shutters, or get in touch with us for more information. We’re always happy to hear from you, whether it’s to answer your questions about our shutters or to start you on your shutter journey!
