Hydraulic and bifold doors are for more than just hangars nowadays. You can find them in restaurants, breweries, residential and retail. And the ability to customize the doors gives architects even more design options when specifying.
Customization drives creative applications of hydraulic and bifold doors
Photo courtesy of Midland Doors
Real World Applications
Jason Myrvik, general manager at Midland Door Solutions, West Fargo, N.D., says the ability to customize bifold and hydraulic doors has opened up opportunities for them to be used in really interesting ways. “Our bifold doors have been used in a variety of bar and patio areas. One of the most recent projects was an upper-level nightclub that used four bifold doors in place of windows to create easy access to the patio and increase airflow during warmer months while maintaining natural light during the winter. A high-end mixed-use plaza also used bifold doors as large windows. Our bifold doors have also been used in a sports museum to help manage traffic while maintaining aesthetic appeal as well as in residential spaces, such as patios and pool houses. Hydraulic doors have been used in everything from four-season patios and she-sheds to boat houses because they create the perfect balance of practicality and style.”
Julie Keller, executive assistant, Hi-Fold Door Corp., River Falls, Wis., notes the company has seen an increase in requests for quotes and orders for residential applications, as well as an increase in the use of bifold and hydraulic doors for manufacturing and commercial uses. “To a lesser extent but increasing are using bifold and hydraulic doors for marine/boat storage, restaurants/bars, schools and barns,” she adds.
Photo courtesy of Schweiss Doors
According to Lark Schweiss, Schweiss Doors, Hector, Minn., has engineered and developed a variety of creative applications for bifold and hydraulic doors over the years. For instance, the company has provided its Designer Door solutions for companies and restaurants looking to protect storefronts, residential, church or apartment complexes with their security doors. “We’ve built specialty doors for unique applications such as the hydraulic doors on the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis and the patented lift strap skylight bifold doors on the roof of a photography studio in California to allow natural light in,” she adds.
Luxury homes are another market Schweiss Doors have been incorporated. As Lark Schweiss explains, Schweiss Door designs are incorporated into interior moving walls that open up to a home’s exterior patio. And, she says, “Schweiss offers RV doors that allow homeowners to store their RV or boats at their home while appeasing their community zoning guidelines by cladding our door to match the exterior of the house, while at the same time making the outward appearance much smaller looking by using a bifold door that is actually twice the size.”
Another popular option, Lark Schweiss says, is container doors for concession stands, bars and show displays. Additionally, she adds, Schweiss has provided custom door solutions for large sports stadium doors, space rocket hangar facilities, as well as for government and military buildings that sometimes require blast doors.
Photo courtesy of Schweiss Doors
The Rise of Designer Doors
In recent years, designer doors have really taken off, a trend, Myrvik notes is in part due to an increased interest in design. “Consider the rise of HGTV and visual social media platforms such as Pinterest,” he explains. “With an aesthetically attractive design, these designer doors make a building more interesting and alluring which, in turn, entices people to see what’s inside. Whether it’s architects who design for a living or DIYers who use it as a creative outlet, there are plenty of easily accessible ways to find inspiration. A customizable architectural door offers a solution to whatever the designer’s desires are. That can be creating an indoor/outdoor living space that is like a private oasis, finding a modern take on dividing a large space in an office building, or managing how traffic moves through a business.”
Myrvik goes on to say he believes the appeal for hydraulic and bifold doors come from their distinctive design, high-quality construction and smooth opening technology. “We offer a variety of size options and plenty of finishes from rustic styles to modern glass doors,” he says. “This allows both architects and owners to truly find a custom solution for their project that aligns with the look and feel they want to achieve. With a durable steel frame design, investing in a bifold or hydraulic door means years of reliable use for maximum ROI.”
According to Keller, some of the appeal of bifold doors is the industrial look, custom sizing, the overhead space on the inside of the building, the clean look and security. “Our high clearance bifold doors offer a unique ability to mount the door lower on a building and still get the same clear opening as any other bifold door, so that is a great feature when dealing with existing buildings,” she says.
Mike Schweiss, president of Schweiss Doors, notes that in recent years there has been a steady increased flow of appeal toward Schweiss Designer Doors. “I believe that is due to the increased exposure to this kind of product that has been applauded by homeowners, architects and builders worldwide,” he says.
Photo courtesy of Midland Doors
Custom Built
The ability to custom design a bifold and hydraulic door makes them appealing to a larger crowd of architects and designers. From choosing the door size to the exterior sheeting, Keller says there are a wide range of options available including windows, automatic locking with radio control, safety features, or a sensing package for hydraulic doors, which is unique to Hi-Fold Doors.
“We believe people like the industrial look and larger opening,” she explains. “Each door is custom built to the size needed, which is attractive to many applications. Having the headroom inside versus having a regular garage-style door is a cleaner look and more useful, plus the awning effect when the door is open. Bifold and hydraulic doors also offer a level of security since they lock securely to the building, so it is attractive to be fully open, but also securely closed.”
Architects and owners have the ability to select a variety of finishes and sizes for the doors to customize the design and match the aesthetic of the area. “Glass doors are popular,” Myrvik says, “however, a customer can add windows if they choose some other finish, such as wood, and want additional light. Depending on the climate and where the door is located, we also offer options for insulation, such as batts, board or spray foam, and weatherproofing.”
By building custom doors, there is no one size fits all. Depending on the type of door desired, Lark Schweiss says options include what color the frame is painted, whether you have remote openers, a walk-through door and windows, and where the truss is located, either inside or outside.
Hydraulic doors offer less customizations than bifold doors, Lark Schweiss explains. “The hydraulic door mounting style can be flush-mounted or exterior-mounted. With the bifold there are a few more options to pick from as there is a bigger operating system then there is with the hydraulic pump. Schweiss’s bifold doors offer different mounting styles for the driveline. You can have the standard bottom drive or a top drive motor system that can be mounted: horizontal, slanted or vertical. With the bifold door, you can choose your latching system: manual latches, automatic latches or automatic strap latches.”
Photo courtesy of Schweiss Doors
Early Involvement
As with many aspects of a project, Myrvik recommends involving the door manufacturer early in the design process so they can provide correct information and they can answer any questions that arise. “This can involve a comprehensive design and planning process with consultations,” he explains. “Taking the time to do this allows the manufacturer to ensure the design is exactly how the architect wants it to be. There is also an advantage to partnering with a door manufacturer that travels to the location to record door frame measurements before the door is designed and built to ensure a proper fit and confirm the design will work.”
But, as with any product going into a building, there are some concerns architects need to be aware of. “Bifold and hydraulic doors put more load on the building than a garage-style door,” notes Keller. “There are moving parts, so that needs to be considered, especially in a residential or school or hospitality application. The hydraulic door, especially, cannot be operated without being within close proximity to the door, and there are pinch points to consider.”
For a fast and turnkey door installation process, Myrvik recommends looking for a door manufacturer that brings all the needed equipment for efficient installation and installs the finished door themselves. It’s also worth asking the manufacturer upfront if they offer any aftermarket service for their product, or warranties to ensure long-term success, he adds.
Photo courtesy of Schweiss Doors