How To Operate Bi Fold Doors

Operation and Maintenance

Bi-fold doors are extremely easy to look after but do require a little bit of
maintenance to ensure they last for years. To make sure your doors remain in
their peak condition, you just need to follow a few simple steps.

bi-fold Door
Bi Fold white Doors

Systems with a lead door

Operating your doors

Once your doors are installed, it’s important you know how to operate them
properly so you can enjoy all the benefits they bring without any hassle. There
are two main types of door systems, systems with a lead door and systems
without a lead door.
If you have any issues relating to the operation of your doors, your first point of
call should be the people who installed them.

Systems with a lead door

A lead door is the panel which contains the locking system and is the access
door to your garden. You can use this door to get in and out of your home
without folding back all the other panels.

Opening the doors

Insert the key into the lead door, turn 360° and remove.
Open the door fully, attaching it to the magnetic keep on the adjacent door.
Rotate the slave handles 180° to release the doors.
For doors opening out, push the door frame above the slave handle and open
the doors fully, ensuring the lead door remains against its magnet at all times.
For doors opening in, pull the door sash inwards and guide the doors open.

Closing the doors

Place your hand between the first and second doors and guide the doors along
the track.
For doors opening out, pull the D-shaped handle to close the doors. Lock them
into place by rotating the slave handles 180°. For doors opening in, push the
frame until the doors are shut.
Repeat the previous steps until all slave handles are in the locked position.
Using the lead door handle, pull the door from the magnetic keep and close.
Lift the handle up to engage the locks.
Insert the key, rotate 360° and remove.

Systems without a lead door​

Systems without a lead door

Systems without a lead door can be split into two in the middle so both sets of
doors open outwards from the middle and the central set of doors can act as
access doors.

Opening the doors

If keyed locking is installed, insert the key into the lock, turn 360° and remove.
Rotate all slave handles 90°, so they are now positioned horizontally.
For doors opening out, push the door frame above the slave handle and open
the doors fully. For doors opening in, pull the handle to open.

Closing the doors

Place your hand between the first and second doors and guide the doors along
the track.
For doors opening out, pull the D-shaped handle to close the doors. Lock them
into place by rotating the slave handles 180°. For doors opening in, push the
frame until the doors are shut.
Repeat the previous steps until all slave handles are in the locked position.
If keyed locking is installed, lift the master handle up to engage the locks.
Insert the key, rotate 360° and remove.

Helpful tips

1. Always remove the key from the lock to protect the lock and adjacent
doors from damage, as warranties don’t usually cover this.


2. The lead door is always the first door to open and the last to close.


3. The lead door must remain attached to the magnetic keep when the doors are open and in operation.


4. Slave handles should not be used to pull the doors along the track into
the closed position.

Maintaining your doors

Having bi-fold doors is a great way to open up your room and let in the
maximum amount of light. This, however, is only the case if they are clean and
you can actually see out of them! Here are a few tips to take the backache out
of cleaning your bi-fold doors and windows.

Cleaning the glass

Regardless of what cleaning product you use, whether it’s a shop bought spray
or a homemade solution, the most important thing to get streak free windows is
to use the right tools to apply it. Many of us make the mistake of using kitchen
towels, however, they can leave linty streaks on the glass. Microfiber cloths and
squeegees are great for a streak-free finish, but the best option goes back to
the old wives’ tales again – scrunched up paper!
When cleaning the glass, ensure where possible that the solution doesn’t run
onto the frames too much. Also, don’t forget to remove all jewellery, rings and
watches as they can easily leave scratches on the glass.

Cleaning and maintaining the frames

In the majority of cases, cleaning the frames of your bi-fold doors will not
require more than a quick wipe with a non-abrasive cloth or sponge soaked in
warm water and a mild detergent.
Resist the temptation to use any type of heavy-duty household cleaner as you
could cause damage to the frames or powder coat finish.
Paraffin-based cleaning solutions and non-abrasive liquid cream cleaners are
generally fine for shifting more stubborn stains but seek advice from your
supplier first.
If there are any stubborn stains that won’t shift with washing, try using an ink
rubber to lift the mark. You will know immediately if it is going to work, so don’t
keep scrubbing away if you can’t see an initial change.

Cleaning the tracks and seals

It is important that you ensure that the tracks at the bottom of the doors are
clean and free from large stones and debris. Any large objects can impede the
smooth running of the doors and potentially cause damage.

The most effective way to clean the tracks is to use a vacuum cleaner nozzle.
Run it along the tracks to remove any debris that has collected inside.
In salt water environments, the external surface of the doors should be washed
down with fresh water on a weekly basis as it is common for salt deposits to
build up.

Maintaining the locks

Applying a small amount of light lubricating oil to the lock and key will ensure
that the locking mechanism is dust-free and not prone to sticking. Lightly oil
both the lock and key and then insert and remove the key a few times to ensure
easy operation.

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