Bi-Fold Windows are the perfect addition to your kitchen remodel and will create a passthrough from your kitchen to your outdoor entertainment space. Including a folding window in your kitchen redesign will enhance your space and allow plenty of natural light to flow through the windows. Below are eight kitchen passthrough window designs that will inspire you to invest in your own folding window.

1 | Passthrough window with coastal charm.

This 6-panel kitchen passthrough window maximizes the ocean views from this all-white farmhouse style kitchen. When windows are folded open, a fresh ocean breeze cools off the space and enhances the soothing sound of crashing waves.

What we love: the cottage-style lites on the bi-fold window because they add extra charm to an already beautiful kitchen design.

Click here to maximize your views and create your own kitchen passthrough.

2 | Craftsman style home with accordion window.

This craftsman style home uses a bi-fold window to create a passthrough from kitchen to outdoor dining space. The servery window makes dining outside effortless—transporting food from inside to outside is a smooth and easy task. The bi-fold passthrough window counter creates an additional outdoor dining space or can be used as a buffet counter or bar.

What we love: the stained wood interior of the folding window because it makes the space feel classic and luxurious.

Click to learn more about bi-fold window features and design options.

3 | Bi-Fold window-door combination.

This Bi-Fold Window x Door Combination creates the ultimate indoor-outdoor kitchen in this pool house. The bi-fold window and bi-fold door connect at the center and transform an ordinary space into an open-air bungalow.

What we love: the crisp white painted interior of the bi-fold window because it blends in perfectly with the white kitchen design.

4 | Radius passthrough window and bar.

This radius bi-fold passthrough window connects the interior wet bar to the covered patio and barbecue area. Hosting parties and gatherings is easy thanks to the folding window that allows drinks to be served from the bar both inside and outside.

What we love: the tall, slim silhouette of the bi-fold passthrough window panels and how elegant they look framed by stonework.

5 | Wide-open farmhouse style kitchen with folding window and door.

This home features a large 4-panel kitchen passthrough window that blurs the line between indoors and outdoors. Opting for a folding window in place of kitchen cabinets creates a light and airy kitchen and living room design. This project also features a 3-panel folding door system.

What we love: the sleek profile and exterior clad color of the kitchen passthrough window and how well it blends with the home design.

To see more folding door and window projects, visit our Home Design Inspiration Photo Gallery.

6 | Cozy pool house with two passthroughs.

This backyard pool house is optimized with two 3-panel kitchen passthrough windows. Each bi-fold window has an outdoor bar counter that creates extra seating and makes it easy to grab a quick drink or snack in-between swims. This pool house pairs the two folding windows with a 4-panel bi-fold door system.

What we love: the functionality of the servery windows and how they enhance the space for this family of five.

7 | Spanish farmhouse style home with accordion window.

This bi-fold kitchen passthrough window illuminates the space with plenty of natural light and creates a picture-perfect view of the Santa Barbara sunset. The all-wood panels feature a luxurious dark stain with red undertones, perfect for this Spanish farmhouse style home.

What we love: the extra natural light created by the bi-fold windows and the beautiful stain that ties the entire kitchen design together.

8 | Tropical tiki bar with bi-fold window

This is the ultimate bi-fold passthrough application: a tiki bar! This 4-panel all-wood folding window opens the fully stocked bar to the backyard pool and patio area. The tropical landscape and stonework create a resort-style vibe in the outdoor space.

What we love: the smooth transition between inside and outside created by a bi-fold passthrough window and how fun and charming this little tiki bar is.

To learn more about creating a kitchen passthrough window from kitchen to outdoor entertainment space, visit our Bi-Fold Passthrough Window Product Page.

Click here to download your FREE Bi-Fold Design Guide.

You are probably familiar with the latest home design trend of creating indoor-outdoor living spaces using large folding or sliding door systems. This is a growing design trend that has always been around but has gained traction and increased popularity within the past few years. The idea that you can expand your living space and connect your home to the outdoors using a large Bi-Fold Patio Door System or Multi-Slide Patio Door System appeals to many homeowners who are ready for an upgrade. This trend is only going to get bigger as more millennials with buying power enter the housing market.

Bi-Fold and multi-slide door systems blur the line between indoor and outdoor spaces, resulting in an extension of the living space to the outdoors. This connection creates extra living space and provides an open, airy floor plan that homeowners most desire.

Large glass door systems create a seamless transition from inside to outside, creating the ultimate indoor-outdoor entertainment space. Fifty percent of Americans entertain guests in their home at least once a month, which means a living space that can accommodate guests for parties and holidays is high on homeowners’ wish lists. Folding and sliding patio door systems make entertaining effortless by allowing guests to migrate inside and out with ease.

Bi-Fold and multi-slide doors create wide-open views of the surrounding landscape. Along with impressive views, homeowners desire bright, open spaces filled with plenty of natural light. Glass patio door systems eliminate walls and allow sunlight to illuminate the space. When open, the doors allow fresh air to flow into the home and cool off the space. Indoor-outdoor spaces allow homeowners to feel more connected to nature and enjoy the healing benefits of sunlight, fresh air, and the outdoors.

 Being connected to nature and the outdoors creates a resort-style living experience at home. When people are on vacation, they are happier, more relaxed, and worry-free—using large folding or sliding door systems to mimic the indoor-outdoor living found at resort destinations allows homeowners to feel like they are on a luxurious vacation and increase their quality of life. As experiences continue to outshine material items, homeowners will continue to desire an indoor-outdoor lifestyle that they can enjoy at home.

Bi-Fold kitchen passthrough windows are also apart of this indoor-outdoor trend. Bi-Fold windows create a passthrough from kitchen to outdoor entertainment space, making it easy to transport drinks and food from inside and out. Additional dining space is created in the form of an outdoor breakfast bar, making meals on the terrace a regular occurrence. These servery windows are unique and luxurious home design features that are appealing to homebuyers and can increase a home’s value

This design trend will be around for awhile because homeowners want to elevate their lifestyle by recreating resort-style experiences at home and maximizing their living spaces. Bi-Fold and multi-slide door systems have changed the home design industry and pushed what is possible in home building. AG Millworks is excited to contribute to this trend and provide innovative, high-quality door systems that create luxurious indoor-outdoor spaces.

To learn more about creating an indoor-outdoor experience in your home with Bi-Folds or Multi-Slides, visit our Bi-Fold Patio Door Product Page or Multi-Slide Door Product Page.

Planning a remodel to create indoor-outdoor living spaces? Choosing a Bi-Fold Door System can be a confusing process, especially if you are unfamiliar with this type of door system and its features. Below are nine mistakes you’ll want to avoid when including a large folding door system in your home design plans.

1 | Mixing up folding door configuration options.

When choosing a configuration (how the door panels open and fold) for your large folding door system, you want to be sure you are reading the configurations correctly. All Bi-Fold Door System configurations are viewed from the exterior of your home looking in. It is easy to get this confused and end up with doors opening and folding the opposite direction from what you were expecting.

2 | Choosing a door configuration without a daily door.

This mistake is easily made and happens often. It is important to choose a door configuration that will have a manual door, or “daily door,” that provides easy access to your outdoor space. Bi-Fold Door Systems with odd configurations (3L, 5R, 7L in at least one direction) have daily doors that can be opened without unlatching and opening the entire folding door system. You must choose a configuration with a daily door If you plan to access your home from the exterior of your large bi-fold door. If you choose an even door configuration (such as 4L or 2L2R) you will have to open the entire door system to access your outdoor space and you will not have exterior access if the doors get closed and you’re outside. Even configurations are only suitable for door systems that will only be opened for parties, etc. Never choose even configurations for a door you’ll use every day.

3 | Taking incorrect measurements.

Always have a professional installer measure your opening twice to be sure you are providing the correct measurements of your rough opening. Folding door systems are built to your requested net frame dimension, and if measurements are incorrect the unit will not fit properly into your rough opening.

4 | Not matching your bi-fold and transom design.

This mistake can leave your remodel looking unprofessional and tacky. If your plans call for a bi-fold door system paired with a transom, you want to be sure that your transom will match and align with your folding door design.

5 | Forgetting to check for overhang.

This is a big, costly mistake that you want to avoid. If you forget to check for overhang and order a bi-fold door system with a flush sill, you risk water penetration and serious damage to your home. A folding door system with a flush sill and insufficient overhang will not meet most warranties.

6 | Hiring an inexperienced folding door installer.

Bi-fold door systems are large, top-hung, technical door systems, that come with a pretty healthy price tag. Installation is not the right place to try to save money. Ask for recommendations for experienced installers of large patio door systems from your door dealer, or the manufactures of your bi-fold door system. Don’t trust framers or other tradespeople to install your beautiful new bi-fold door. An improperly installed door will never work properly, will not qualify for warranty, and will be your biggest regret. Hire a pro!

7 | Choosing the wrong clad color.

Don’t choose the wrong clad color, because it can’t be changed! If you are matching the exterior color of your folding door to your current windows and doors, make sure you double check and confirm that the color is correct. For unique or uncommon colors, custom color matching is also available.

8 | Forgetting to include a retractable accordion screen.

Don’t forget to include a retractable accordion screen in your folding door order! These screens are a luxurious but functional add-on that will allow you to enjoy fresh air while protecting your home from unwanted insects. Screens are integrated directly into the door jamb during production and can be pocketed completely out of sight for an additional charge.

9 | Overlooking your indoor and outdoor floorplans.

When planning your remodel it can be easy to forget about the layout of your spaces and how they interact. it is important to give some thought to the furniture layout of each space and remember that your custom patio door system can be ordered to fold and stack on one or both sides of the opening, depending on your needs.

To learn more about creating an indoor-outdoor living space with a large folding door system, visit our Bi-Fold Patio Door Product Page.

BEFORE

A young couple in Encintas, California were looking for a starter home when they stumbled upon this diamond-in-the-rough. As first-time home buyers, they chose to buy a perfectly-sized fixer-upper with tons of potential to transform in to their dream home!

Before the remodel, the kitchen was long, narrow and outdated. With worn linoleum flooring, laminate countertops, and unsteady cabinetry, the kitchen needed a complete redesign.

The kitchen was closed off from the rest of the living space, creating a very dark, boxy floorplan and making it difficult for natural light to spread throughout the space. The living space had multiple mismatching windows that looked out of place.

A brick fireplace and a small sliding door made up the rest of the rear wall. Dirty, outdated carpet covered the living room floor, and extended into the informal dining space. 

AFTER

The homeowners wanted to utilize every inch of their living space and brighten the room with plenty of natural light. They knew they wanted to create a modern, farmhouse style kitchen with a fresh, clean look. During the design process the homeowners looked to the number one home design platform, Houzz.com for design inspiration. On Houzz they fell in love with the latest home design trend: indoor-outdoor living. With the help of an architect and design professional, the homeowners chose an AG Millworks Bi-Fold Door System and Passthrough Window to create the indoor-outdoor lifestyle they yearned for.

The new space features an open floorplan that blends kitchen, dining, and living spaces. A large kitchen island provides plenty of counter space and an eat-in breakfast bar. They chose a beautiful white marble countertop and brilliant white cabinets to achieve the bright, clean look they desired. The newly-vaulted ceilings make the room feel more spacious and inviting.

Touches of gold can be found throughout the space: the cabinet hardware and the tip of the pendant light fixtures above the island add a pop of color and luxurious elegance to the all-white kitchen.

The AG Millworks Bi-Fold Window allows plenty of natural light to illuminate the space and creates a passthrough from kitchen to outdoor entertainment area. The passthrough window creates additional bar seating in the kitchen and outside on the patio. Vaulting the ceilings allowed for a custom transom to be installed above the folding window and allow for even more natural light to brighten the space.

The AG Millworks Bi-Fold Door System opens up the entire kitchen to the outdoors, creating that indoor-outdoor lifestyle that is so prevalent in today’s home designs. With such a wide-open space, entertaining and enjoying the beautiful California weather is as easy as folding open the door system. The homeowners can quickly and easily access their outdoor space through the daily door, which is only available on odd bi-fold door configurations.

Even with folding doors and windows closed, there is an abundance of natural light flooding into the space. The Bi-Fold Door and Passthrough Window are the highlight of the room and create the ultimate California lifestyle. The homeowner had this to say about his luxury door and window systems:

"To say I am thrilled with the quality of my bifold door and window would be the understatement of the year. They have completely transformed my space and created a whole new look and feel in my house. The team at AG were very easy to work with and truly took the time to help me decide on the optimal size, location, and color for my door and window. They were produced on time and easy for my contractor to install."

To learn more about creating your own indoor-outdoor lifestyle with Bi-Fold Door Systems, visit our Bi-Fold Door Product Page.

If you are planning a home remodel you should consider using large glass Bi-fold Patio Doors or Multi-Slide Patio Doors to create an indoor-outdoor living space in your home. Large glass patio doors can enhance your quality of life and make your living space a more enjoyable and luxurious place to relax and entertain. Keep reading to learn more about the amazing benefits of installing a Bi-Fold or Multi-Slide Patio Door in your home!

Natural Light

Large custom patio doors can allow an abundance of natural light into your living space! Natural sunlight is important to maintaining your overall health. It helps to increase levels of serotonin and lower blood pressure—it makes people feel happier and more relaxed! You and your family will love all the extra sunlight flowing through your folding or sliding glass patio doors.

Easy Entertaining

Bi-Fold and Multi-Slide Patio Doors connect your indoor living space with your outdoor entertainment area. Doors fold or slide open smoothly and create a seamless transition between each space. These doors are perfect for entertaining and will expand your living space to the outdoors and allow guests to migrate inside and out with ease!

Expansive Views

You can enhance your views by replacing entire walls with folding or sliding glass patio doors! With doors opened or closed you will have far-reaching views of the beautiful surrounds. If you want to maximize your views, consider choosing Pocketing Multi-Slide Patio doors—doors will disappear completely into the wall pocket and leave behind a large opening with unobstructed views!

Airflow

Large Bi-Fold or Multi-Slide Patio Doors will increase the airflow in your home. Opening doors will allow fresh air into your living area and create some air circulation in the space. When there is a cool breeze on a warm day you can open your folding or sliding patio doors to create some air ventilation in your home!

Connect with Nature

With an indoor-outdoor living space to enjoy, you will spend more time outdoors and feel more connected to nature. Spending time outside is a healing experience that everyone can benefit from—taking in the views, soaking up the sun, watching the birds, gazing at the stars can be therapeutic and help to relax you after a long day.

Energy Efficiency

Bi-Fold Patio Doors are energy efficient and Title 24 Prescriptive Compliant. With excellent NFRC ratings, our folding doors will help protect your home from unwanted heat gain in the summer and unwanted heat loss in the winter. Energy efficient patio doors can help lower your cooling and heating bills and reduce the need for artificial lighting during daylight hours due to the abundance of natural light they provide.

Extended Living Space

Bi-Fold or Multi-Slide Patio Doors will extend your living space and blur the line between inside and outside. If your living space is smaller than you’d like, custom patio doors are the perfect solution to adding some much-needed extra square footage—with doors open you can create additional seating or dining areas outside on the patio!

Increased Home Value

Indoor-outdoor living spaces created by luxury Bi-Fold or Multi-Slide patio doors are the latest home design trend. Incorporating folding or sliding patio doors into your home remodel is a great investment and will increase the value of your home. Custom patio doors will raise your home value and appeal to homebuyers searching for their dream home.

To learn more about creating an indoor-outdoor paradise with custom Bi-Fold Patio Doors, visit our Bi-Fold Patio Door Product Page. To learn more about creating a smooth transition from living space to patio area using Multi-Slide Patio Doors, visit our Multi-Slide Patio Door Product Page.

If your home remodel plans include a custom Bi-Fold Patio Door, don’t forget to consider the various Bi-Fold Door configuration options. With more than 75 possible door configurations available, you are sure to find the perfect Bi-Fold Patio Door configuration for your space. Though all door configurations are equally as beautiful, we highly recommended sticking to a Bi-Fold with an odd number of panels.

We recommend Bi-Fold configurations with an odd number of panels to create a manual door with exterior access. Daily doors allow easy access to the outside without having to open the entire Bi-Fold System. Odd configurations work best when clients will be using it for regular patio access.

Bi-Fold configurations with an even number of panels do not have manual doors or exterior access. The entire Bi-Fold System must be opened for outside access. Even configurations work best in spaces like pool houses, which don't require frequent access. If using an even number of Bi-Fold door panels in your project is inevitable, you can create a daily door by choosing an odd configuration. For example, instead of a 4L or 4R Bi-Fold Patio Door, you can choose a 1L3R or 1R3L.

AG Millworks Awarded Best of Houzz 2019 for Client Satisfaction!

We are pleased to announce that AG Millworks has received the Best of Houzz 2019 Award for Client Satisfaction! We are honored to be recognized by Houzz and our fellow design and build community for such an esteemed award. We believe it was a combination of our outstanding, high-quality custom patio door products and our friendly and reliable service that contributed to our success and receipt of the Best of Houzz 2019 Award for Client Satisfaction.

AG Millworks strives to provide the highest-quality Bi-Fold, Multi-Slide, Lift & Slide, and French Swing Patio Doors in the industry. With nearly unlimited design options, AG Millworks Patio Doors are made-to-order and fully customizable to fulfill any design need. AG uses materials of the highest quality to create luxurious patio doors that will transform any space.

At AG Millworks, client satisfaction is our number one priority. We offer industry-leading production times that will ensure timely product delivery and meet tight project deadlines. AG Millworks Patio Doors are sold through our trusted and certified dealer network. Requesting a quote and ordering a patio door is a smooth and easy process with the help of our Customer Service and Inside Sales teams. Our Service Department understands how important a properly functioning door or window is, thus addressing all service requests with speed and efficiency.

We support our customers every step of the way and will continue to provide superior products and exceptional service! To learn more about creating indoor-outdoor spaces with custom patio doors, visit the AG Millworks Website. To follow AG Millworks on Houzz.com, visit our Houzz Profile.

You may be planning a remodel soon and considering multiple large glass patio door options. If you are planning on creating an indoor-outdoor living space using Multi-Slide Patio Doors or Bi-Fold Patio Doors but are having trouble deciding between the two patio door styles, we have created a guide to help you determine which large glass patio door is perfect for you and your living space!

It is officially Spring, which means long, sun-filled days spent at the beach or lounging by the pool are just around the corner! Is your patio ready for all the outdoor gatherings that come with the warm weather, or is it time to give it a much-needed upgrade? If you start your patio remodel now, you can have it complete just in time for summer pool parties, barbecues, and bocce ball tournaments! We want to help you get your patio remodel started and completed with ease!

A custom four-bedroom, three bathroom Spanish style new build in Santa Barbara, California, uses AG Bi-Fold Patio Doors and French Swing Patio Doors to extend their living space to the outdoor balconies and patios.

The builder wanted to remain traditional with the Spanish style architecture that Santa Barbara is known for but incorporate modern luxuries to create a resort-style living experience. White stucco, red tile roofing, and a natural wood trim and pergola are the elements that give this home some character and Spanish flare. The front courtyard featuring a fire pit and outdoor seating, and the expansive verandas on the upper and lower levels are additional architectural elements representative of Spanish design.

The kitchen is located on the upper level and features exposed wood beams, a beautiful waterfall island with bar seating, and luxurious wood cabinets. The AG Bi-Fold Patio Doors create a connection between the kitchen and outdoor dining space on the veranda. The wood interior of the Bi-Fold Doors was stained to match the other wood elements inside the home. Large glass patio doors allow an abundance of natural light to illuminate the kitchen and allow plenty of fresh air to flow through the space.

The outdoor dining space is perfect for entertaining, with easy interior access through the folding patio doors. With such a large balcony, additional outdoor furniture will fit to create an entire outdoor living room! Four pairs of French Swing Patio Doors line the remainder of the veranda and create a seamless transition from living and dining room to outdoor balcony.

The floorplan is spacious, open, and airy with major indoor-outdoor living vibes created by the four French Door systems. Unique light fixtures give the spaces a modern touch and help to create separation between dining and living areas. The wood floors, exposed beams, and interior wood of the French Doors add warmth and create a beautiful contrast with the bright white paint on the walls and ceilings.

A second AG Bi-Fold Patio Door in the master bedroom creates a seamless transition between bedroom and outdoor patio area. The folding patio doors provide an expansive view of the surrounding nature and create access to the quiet outdoor space. The builder wanted the home to be well-connected to the outdoors because the home is surrounded by large oak trees, shrubbery, and flowers. The stone patio on the lower-level expands across the rear of the home and can also be accessed via the guest bedrooms.

The spacious and private downstairs guest bedrooms enjoy their own French Doors to increase light and create expansive views. A Jack and Jill bathroom sits between the two guestrooms and features luxurious marble countertops and a marble shower.

The builders were incredibly happy with how the home turned out and put the home on the market. They are confident that the future homeowners will fall in love with the home because of the indoor-outdoor living it offers. As the house is shown to many potential homebuyers and open-house goers, there is one common thought between visitors: the Bi-Fold Patio Doors make the space—their quality, uniqueness, and curb appeal are impressive and like no other.

To learn more about creating indoor-outdoor living spaces with Bi-Fold Patio doors, click here.