When choosing new gates for your property, space isn’t always on your side. Traditional swing gates require a significant amount of room to open, which can make them unsuitable for shorter driveways or properties where vehicles need to park close to the entrance.
This is where bi-fold gates provide an excellent alternative. Combining a clever space-saving design with security, convenience and contemporary styling, bi-fold gates are becoming an increasingly popular choice for both residential and commercial properties.
At DJ Haney Blacksmiths, we design, manufacture and install bespoke gate systems across the West Midlands. In this guide, we’ll explain what bi-fold gates are, how they work and whether they could be the right choice for your property.
What Are Bi-Fold Gates?
Bi-fold gates, sometimes known as folding gates, are designed with multiple gate panels connected by hinges. Rather than the entire gate swinging across the driveway in one large section, the panels fold together as the gate opens.
A typical double bi-fold system consists of four panels – two on either side of the entrance. As the gates open, each pair folds back on itself. This dramatically reduces the amount of space required for the gates to operate.
How Do Bi-Fold Gates Work?
Traditional driveway gates usually have one or two large leaves that swing through an arc as they open. Bi-fold gates divide those larger sections into smaller hinged panels.
As the first panel begins to open, the connected panel folds alongside it. When fully open, the panels sit neatly together towards either side of the entrance. The result is a much smaller opening arc than you’d need with conventional swing gates.
Depending on the design and requirements of the property, bi-fold gates can be operated manually or incorporated into an automated gate system.
Why Choose Bi-Fold Gates?
There are several reasons why homeowners and businesses choose bi-fold gates over more conventional gate designs.
- Ideal for Short Driveways
Space saving is one of the biggest advantages. If you have a relatively short driveway, traditional swing gates can take up valuable parking space when opening.
Because bi-fold gates fold back on themselves, they require considerably less room. This can allow vehicles to park closer to the entrance without interfering with the operation of the gates.
- Faster Opening and Closing
Bi-fold gates can generally complete their opening movement more quickly than large conventional swing gates. This can be particularly useful when entering or leaving a property from a busy road.
For commercial premises with frequent vehicle movements, faster operation can also help improve access and reduce waiting times.
- Excellent for Automated Entrances
Bi-fold gates can be incorporated into an automated entrance system, giving you convenient control over access to your property.
Depending on the system, access can potentially be controlled through features such as remote controls, keypads, intercoms and access control systems.
Automation makes bi-fold gates particularly convenient for driveways that are used several times throughout the day.
- Strong Security
Bi-fold gates aren’t just about saving space. When properly designed and installed, they can provide a strong physical boundary around your property and help control vehicle and pedestrian access.
Combined with suitable locking or automated access systems, they can form an important part of a property’s overall security.
- Modern Appearance
Bi-fold gates work particularly well with contemporary properties. They can be manufactured in a variety of styles, from traditional metalwork to clean, modern designs.
For example, bi-fold operation can be combined with slatted or composite gate designs to create a modern entrance that provides both privacy and security.
Bi-Fold Gates vs Traditional Swing Gates
The biggest difference between the two systems is how much space they require. Traditional swing gates consist of one or two larger gate leaves. As they open, they need sufficient clear space across the driveway.
Bi-fold gates split those leaves into smaller sections, reducing the distance they travel into the driveway.
Traditional swing gates are ideal when you have plenty of driveway space, you prefer a traditional gate design, and a simple opening mechanism is suitable.
Bi-fold gates are ideal when your driveway is short, parking space is limited, you want faster opening, you want a modern entrance, or conventional swing gates aren’t practical.
Neither option is necessarily better. The right choice depends on the layout of your property and how you intend to use the entrance.
Bi-Fold Gates vs Sliding Gates
Sliding gates are another popular solution where traditional swing gates aren’t practical. Instead of opening into the driveway, a sliding gate travels sideways along the property’s boundary.
This makes them extremely space-efficient in front of and behind the entrance. However, they require sufficient room alongside the opening for the gate to slide into.
Bi-fold gates can therefore be a useful alternative when you have limited driveway depth and insufficient sideways space for a sliding gate. A professional site survey can determine which system is most appropriate for your entrance.
Can Bi-Fold Gates Be Automated?
Yes. Bi-fold gates can be designed as part of an automated gate system. This provides the space-saving advantages of a folding gate with the convenience of automatic operation.
Automation can be particularly useful for residential driveways, busy family homes, commercial entrances, controlled-access sites, and properties located alongside busy roads.
The exact automation system required will depend on factors such as the size, weight and design of the gates
Can You Have Bi-Fold Composite or Slatted Gates?
Bi-fold describes how the gate opens rather than the material or appearance of the gate. This means the folding mechanism can be incorporated into different gate designs.
For example, you could choose a contemporary bi-fold gate featuring composite gate infill panels for increased privacy or a slatted gate design for a clean architectural appearance.
This gives homeowners considerable flexibility when designing an entrance that complements their property.
Are Bi-Fold Gates Suitable for Every Driveway?
Bi-fold gates are extremely versatile, but they’re not automatically the best option for every property.
Before choosing them, several factors should be considered, including width of the entrance, driveway depth, ground levels and slopes, available space around the opening, size and weight of the gates, desired gate material, manual or automated operation, and frequency of use.
A professional site survey allows these factors to be assessed before your gates are designed and manufactured.
Are Bi-Fold Gates Worth It?
If space is limited, bi-fold gates can provide an excellent combination of practicality, security and appearance.
They are particularly valuable for properties where traditional swing gates would take up too much driveway space but there isn’t enough room alongside the entrance for a sliding gate.
Their ability to combine with modern materials, slatted designs and automation also makes them a versatile choice for contemporary properties.
Choosing Bespoke Bi-Fold Gates
Every driveway is different, which is why a bespoke gate system offers significant advantages over an off-the-shelf solution.
Bespoke gates can be manufactured around your exact entrance dimensions, available opening space, property architecture, security requirements, privacy preferences, preferred colours and finishes, automation requirements.
The result is a gate that isn’t simply made to fit your entrance – it’s designed specifically around how your property needs to work.
Looking for Bi-Fold Gates?
At DJ Haney Blacksmiths, we design, manufacture and install bespoke gates for residential and commercial properties throughout the West Midlands.
From traditional wrought iron gates to contemporary composite, slatted, automated and bi-fold systems, our experienced team can help you determine which option is best suited to your property. Contact us today to discuss your requirements and arrange a consultation for your new gates.
