Millennials, also known as Generation Y, is the group of people born between 1981 and 1996. This group of an estimated 80 million is unlike any generational cohort before them—they are significantly delaying major milestones in life, like getting married, having children, moving out on their own, and buying houses.

As the older Millennials begin to step into the housing market and search for their first home, their homebuying wish list looks very different than that of previous generations. Research shows that Millennials want adaptable and flexible energy-efficient homes with open floor plans, and indoor-outdoor living spaces.

If you are investing in a large folding door, you know that these door systems have a very healthy price tag. When it comes time to install your folding door system, you want to be sure you hire a professional installer who is highly experienced in folding door installations. Sticking with an expert will ensure they follow the proper installation process and guarantee a precise and accurate installation. If your folding door installation is less than perfect, your door could be difficult or impossible to operate. Use this guide to find a trustworthy professional folding door installer near you!

1 | Contact the Manufacturer

The best and safest way to find a professional installer is by contacting the manufacturer of your folding door. Your manufacturer likely has a list of certified installers who can help you with your project. Call the customer service department and request a few recommendations for door installers in your area, that way you have more than one to choose from.

2 | Ask Your Contractor

Another good way to track down an experienced folding door installer is by asking your contractor for a referral. It’s possible that your contractor has colleagues in the industry who specialize in large folding door installation and can help you get into contact with this professional.

3 | Reach Out to Your Sash & Door Dealer

Where did you purchase your folding door system? Contact your place of purchase and ask for recommendations. Some of the bigger sash and door dealers might even provide their own installation services.

Whichever route you take to find a professional folding door installer, be sure to review the installer’s experience, certifications, and past work. Thorough research and review of their qualifications will allow you to feel confident in and comfortable with your choice of installer. Remember that folding door installation is a complicated and technical process different from other installations, so it is risky to hire an inexperienced installer or to let your general contractor attempt install.

If you’re not quite ready to find an installer, but want to learn more about folding door systems, please fill out this form to be contacted by a folding door expert or call 805-644-4494. To learn more about your large glass patio door options, check out this patio door comparison.

As you plan your home remodel and patio door replacement, you might be thinking about your design options. If you currently have a French door or sliding door but want a new, more modern design, there are other patio door styles to consider. You can choose a large patio door system to open your space to the outdoors and create an indoor-outdoor lifestyle. French door alternatives include Bi-Fold and Multi-Slide doors. Below is a breakdown of each patio door style which will help you pick the best door for your home.

Bi-Fold Patio Doors

Bi-Fold patio doors are a unique alternative to a standard French door system. They can create a wide-open space in your home and let in plenty of fresh air and natural light. Bi-Folds are easy to operate, and fold and slide smoothly to one or both sides of your opening. They are both secure and energy efficient, with excellent NFRC ratings to meet California energy requirements.

A standard 3-panel Bi-Fold is about 9-10 feet in width, so additional planning may be required to create the rough opening for your door system. Though a 3-panel system is most common, Bi-Folds are available as large as 16 panels. Bi-Folds are top hung to ensure smooth and easy operation, which means all the weight is placed on the header—for this reason, you may need to engineer and reinforce the header to meet building regulations.

Bi-Fold patio doors are 100% customizable. You choose your system size, number of panels, configuration, stile width, exterior clad color, wood species, interior paint or stain color, hardware style and finish, divided light configuration, and more! With unlimited design options, your bi-fold door will be unique to your home and match your design needs. To talk to a Bi-Fold door expert about your project, fill out this form or call 805-644-4494.

Multi-Slide Patio Doors

Multi-Slide patio doors are another great alternative to French doors. With a Multi-Slide, door panels slide open effortlessly and leave an open space behind. One advantage of choosing Multi-Slides over Bi-Folds is that Multi-Slide doors can be pocketed into the wall, making doors completely disappear. Multi-Slides are also energy efficient and California Title 24 compliant.

Like Bi-Folds, a standard 3-panel Multi-Slide needs about a 9 to 10-foot-wide opening. If you are planning to choose a pocketing Multi-Slide system, you will need to be sure your wall is wide enough to accommodate door panels inside. Multi-Slides offer a classic design element to your space and have narrower sightlines than Bi-Folds. Multi-Slides have bottom rollers, so they require less support from the header, which is why they might be a better option for your project. Whether you’re designing a traditional, contemporary, or farmhouse style space, the limitless design options will ensure your Multi-Slide complements your home. Talk to a Multi-Slide expert.

Whichever patio door system you choose to replace your French doors, they are guaranteed to enhance your space and fulfill your outdoor living dreams. You will expand your views and maximize your entertainment space, improving your quality of life. To find patio door inspiration, visit our photo gallery or case study pages.

Accoya Wood is modified timber that resists rot, defies the elements, and stays strong for decades, making it the perfect material for all-wood patio doors. If you are considering installing a large solid wood folding or sliding door, Accoya Wood is your best option to ensure your door system is long-lasting and durable.

What Makes Accoya Stronger than Other Woods?

Accoya Wood undergoes an acetylation process, in which the wood is treated to enhance its’ strength and durability. Though the wood is chemically treated, this process adds nothing into the wood that does not already naturally occur within it. Nor does this process compromise the wood’s natural beauty.

Can You Paint or Stain Your Solid Accoya Folding or Sliding Door?

Like any other wood, Accoya can be painted or stained—it is actually easier to paint or stain than other wood species. Accoya’s improved stability means that coatings can last up to two times longer than coating on other wood. This means less maintenance and upkeep on your large folding or sliding door system.

Will Your Solid Accoya Folding or Sliding Door Be Energy Efficient?

Accoya Wood offers improved stability and insulation compared to commonly used hardwood and softwood species, making it ideal for energy efficient fenestration. Solid Accoya Wood Folding Doors yield U-Factor and SHGC ratings as low as .24 and .19, respectively. Solid Accoya Wood Sliding Doors can yield a .23 U-Factor and .20 SHGC rating.

To learn more about Accoya Wood features and benefits, visit the Accoya Wood Website.

Where Can I Get Solid Accoya Wood Patio Doors?

AG Millworks builds handcrafted folding, sliding, and swing door systems for luxury outdoor living and offers 18 different wood species, including Accoya Wood. AG Millworks is one of the only companies in the industry who offers Accoya Wood as an option for your custom door system. Unlike other solid wood door systems, Accoya Wood is warranted for 5-years and has no overhang requirements. To talk to an expert about your project, please fill out this form or call 805-644-4494.

Click here to download your free Accoya Wood brochure.

If you’re planning a home remodel or new build and have decided to install an accordion glass door into your new space to create luxury outdoor living, there are many things to take into consideration. Maybe you already know how big of an opening you want to create in your home and what clad color you want on the exterior of your doors, but have you thought about which direction your doors should fold open? Configuration of your accordion glass door is so important because not all configurations are the same. Use this guide to help you choose a configuration or seek out professional advice from one of our accordion glass door experts.

Should Your Accordion Glass Doors Open to the Left, Right, or in the Center?

With almost unlimited accordion glass door configurations to choose from, deciding which configuration is best for your needs can be difficult. Keep in mind that all accordion glass door configurations are viewed from the exterior of your home looking in. Doors can fold to the left, right, or both, so it is important to consider layout and functionality in order to choose the best configuration for your lifestyle. Download a full brochure of accordion glass door configurations.

LAYOUT – You want to be sure your accordion glass door configuration is cohesive with your furniture layout and floorplan. If you have a lot of furniture to the left side of your opening, perhaps it will make more sense for your doors to open to the right side. You can discover the perfect configuration for your space by discussing the project with your contractor or accordion glass door expert.

FUNCTIONALITY – How do you want your accordion glass doors to function? If your door system will be the primary access point to your outdoor space, your accordion glass door configuration should include a daily door. The daily door will provide easy access to your outdoor living area through a single door, without having to open the entire door system. Daily doors also provide exterior access. Only odd accordion glass door configurations (3R, 5L, 1L3R) have daily doors so don’t make the mistake of ordering an evenly configured (2L2R, 4R, 6L) door system. To learn more about common mistakes made when ordering an accordion glass door system, read this guide.

Should Your Accordion Glass Doors Swing Inside or Outside?

Accordion glass doors can fold and stack open on either the interior or exterior of your home. Though outswing door systems are the most common style, in-swing systems can be made to accommodate special design requirements. However, in-swing accordion glass door configurations risk water penetration and do not meet most warranties, which is why it is best to opt for an outswing configuration whenever possible.

To fast track your luxury outdoor living project and learn more about accordion glass door configuration and installation, fill out this form to be contacted by an expert. The sooner you get started, the sooner you will be enjoying an outdoor lifestyle created by accordion glass doors!

As fall approaches, the air is getting cooler, leaves are changing color, and pumpkin spice is readily available at every coffee shop. Fall is a great time to tackle some home improvement projects that will upgrade your space just in time for the holidays. If you’re not quite ready to take on a full-home remodel, there are some smaller-scale projects that will have a huge impact on your home design. Below are five projects you can complete to improve your living space and enhance your lifestyle.

1 | Replace Your Sliding Glass Door with a Folding Door

One way to upgrade your home and enhance your space is by replacing your sliding glass door or French doors with a large exterior folding door. A large folding door will create an expansive opening in your home and connect your indoor space to the outdoor living area. Abundant natural light, fresh air, all-embracing views, and a smooth transition from inside to out are just a few of the benefits of installing a large folding door system in your home. To learn more about patio door replacement, click here.

2 | Invest in New Counters and Backsplash for Your Kitchen

Another simple project that can be completed in a few weeks is upgrading the countertops and backsplash in your kitchen. Keeping the layout and kitchen cabinets the same and only changing the counter and backsplash will make it feel like a brand-new space! If you’re feeling ambitious, you can choose to paint your cabinets a new color and replace the hardware to create a completely new look.

3 | Plant a New Garden

Now is a good time to replant your garden and spruce up your landscaping. There are plenty of different kinds of plants that will thrive in the fall like some cool-season veggies, bulbs, pansies, and many trees and shrubs. For a guide on which plants will have the most success in this season, visit this informative and robust Better Home & Garden article. For additional tips and tricks on successful fall planting, visit this detailed article from Backyard Boss.

4 | Paint Your Front Door

Consider painting your front door as a quick and easy project that can be tackled in just a few hours and dramatically change your curb appeal. Choose a color that will pop and add a unique design element to your home’s exterior. Popular front door colors that stand out are teal, yellow, orange, and salmon. Get a sample of a few of your favorites and test swatch to compare.

5 | Refresh the Guest Bathroom with New Paint, Hardware, and Fixtures

A great way to give your powder room a facelift and make it new again is by painting or wallpapering the space. Pick out a fresh color or some fun wallpaper to make your water closet stand out. You can upgrade the cabinetry hardware and use new light fixtures, towel racks, and floating shelves to further enhance your guest bath.

Now is the time to create the home of your dreams and build the lifestyle you want. Whether you jump into a full home remodel, or tackle it one project at a time, investing in your home is worth the time and money. Building the house of your dreams isn’t easy, but once you get started, you’ll be happy you did.

Folding glass doors are a unique design feature that can transform your home by creating more natural light, expanding views, and extending your living space to the outdoors. When investing in these luxury door systems, you want to consider your home design and decide which part (or parts) of your home needs this lavish upgrade.

Folding Glass Doors are Perfect for Your Living Room

Using folding glass doors to create an open-air living room and to extend the space to the outdoors is the perfect application. With doors folded open, your space will instantly feel larger and brighter, creating a more comfortable area for entertaining. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or having a lazy Netflix day, your folding glass doors will add luxury to your space and enhance your lifestyle.

Create an Indoor-Outdoor Kitchen with Folding Glass Doors

Folding glass doors can also be used in your kitchen design! Enjoy an open-air cooking experience with plenty of ventilation. You can even use a folding glass window to create a kitchen passthrough to the outside entertainment area. The passthrough window will add additional dining space with bar seating at the counter on either side of the opening.

Folding Glass Doors Create an Al Fresco Dining Experience

Connect your dining room to the outdoors and enjoy al fresco dining at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Folding glass doors can eliminate entire walls in your home and give you the open-air dining experience you’ve been dreaming of. Family dinners, holidays, and barbecues will be better than ever!

Wide-Open Resort-Style Views in the Master Bedroom

You can use folding glass doors to create a luxurious, resort-style experience in your master bedroom, so it will feel like you’re always on a grand vacation. Stay cozy in bed and enjoy the natural light, expansive views, and fresh air. If you want to glamp from home for the night, make sure you invest in the optional retractable accordion screen so you can sleep with doors open while protecting yourself from insects!

Open-Air Pool House for the Ultimate Entertaining

Folding glass doors will open your pool house to the outdoors and connect it to the pool and patio area. This makes it easy for swimmers to access the bathroom or get towels and snacks from inside the space. You can even use folding glass windows to create a kitchen pass through to the outside.

Folding Glass Doors in Your Sunroom

Complete your sunroom with a folding glass door—bring in an abundance of sunlight and fresh air to your space. Your door system can be energy efficient and suitable for hot or cold climates.

Use Folding Glass Doors to Open Your Gym to the Outside

With folding glass doors in your private gym, you can fold doors open and enjoy the fresh air during your workout routine. Having a wall of glass patio doors will enhance your view and create an indoor-outdoor exercise experience.

Folding Glass Doors are a Luxurious Room Divider

You can use folding glass doors in the interior of your home to separate two spaces. In the photo above, a large door system creates a divide between a sitting room and dining room. With doors folded open, the two spaces become one.

Wherever you choose to install your folding glass door system, it is important to take the structure of your home into consideration. Because these door systems are top-hung, they require strong headers to support the weight of the door panels. Be sure to talk to an expert about where you want to install your folding glass doors so you can ensure you have the necessary engineering.

To learn more about folding glass door systems, visit our folding glass door product page.

Luxurious outdoor living is one of the hottest home design trends of 2019. What was once just a space to place some patio chairs and a grill is now an elaborate outdoor room designed for entertaining and equipped with outdoor kitchens, dining tables, cozy couches, fire pits, and TVs. If you plan to update your outdoor living space, these 19 outdoor living designs will inspire you to create the ultimate indoor-outdoor lifestyle in your home.

1 | Coastal cottage with kitchen passthrough window.

This beautiful outdoor space features a kitchen passthrough window for easy entertaining. The folding window, French swing doors, and oversized bi-fold door connect the home to the outdoors and blur the line between inside and out. A covered outdoor courtyard-esqe space lies between the two wings of the home and makes for a cozy conversation area with an outdoor kitchen. The infinity pool and jacuzzi complete the space, creating a luxurious outdoor lifestyle.

2 | Craftsman style cabin with folding window and doors.

This home in Washington connects with nature using a pair of folding doors and a folding passthrough window. The expansive deck wraps around the home and creates the ultimate outdoor entertaining space with views of the surrounding forest. The natural wood roof extension draws the eye and adds a tasteful design element while providing a shaded seating area.

3 | Custom home with great deck for outdoor living.

This custom home features two folding door systems that expand the interior spaces of the home to the outdoors. The main home and the guest house studio fully open to the outside deck to enjoy lovely California weather, the infinity pool, and the fire pit. These open spaces create a smooth entertaining experience where guests can easily migrate from inside to out.

4 | Stylish home built for indoor-outdoor living.

This home was designed with luxury outdoor living and entertaining in mind. With three outdoor seating areas—a dining space, lounge area, and fireside seating—this residence is outdoor living goals. When weather permits, this home features two folding doors that open to the outside and create expansive views of the surrounding vineyards.

5 | The ultimate outdoor entertainment space with expansive pool.

This outdoor living space was made for pool parties. With a huge walk-in pool, integrated jacuzzi, and covered seating area with an outdoor TV, this is the perfect spot for summer barbecues and sports viewing parties. This outdoor lifestyle is complete with two folding doors and a pocketing sliding door system.

6 | Infinity pool with folding doors make for perfect outdoor entertaining.

This expansive outdoor space has a full outdoor kitchen with a gas range, grill, sink, and bar seating. With a full dining table, comfortable lounge seating, and lawn chairs, this outdoor design is perfect. The indoor-outdoor pool house boasts two folding door systems that can connect the space to the outdoors or fold closed and act as a media and game room.

7 | Spanish style villa with an expansive balcony and views.

This custom Spanish style home in Santa Barbara features a large upper balcony and deck that is accessible via the large folding door system and four French swing doors. The overhead pergola adds shade along with a unique design touch for the ultimate aesthetic. The large opening created by the folding doors creates a smooth connection between the kitchen and outdoor entertaining area.

8 | Craftsman style home with bi-fold kitchen passthrough counter.

This outdoor living design highlights the bi-fold kitchen passthrough window on this craftsman style home. The folding window creates extra bar seating and makes it easy for meals to be passed from kitchen to outdoor dining space. The hand-made iron table and chair set matches the craftsman design and makes for perfect entertaining.

9 | Custom craftsman style home wows with bold blue outdoor living space.

Another custom craftsman style home, with coastal design touches, creates the ultimate outdoor living experience with bi-fold and French doors. The covered seating area enjoys comfy couches, a fireplace, and an outdoor TV to maximize luxury. The double-sided fireplace can be accessed from the covered seating area or from the al fresco kitchen and dining space.

10 | Cozy al fresco living room with all the necessary luxuries.

This intimate outdoor entertaining area has all the luxuries—an outdoor kitchen, bar seating, lounge seating, and sparkling pool. The large folding door system maximizes space by connecting the indoor and outdoor living spaces.

11 | Fresh air and ocean views featuring a folding door system.

This is what open-air living looks like. A huge folding door creates a wide-open space with major indoor-outdoor vibes. The stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, the infinity pool, and the outdoor kitchen is what outdoor living dreams are made of. A few steps down to the sand makes this al fresco home the ultimate outdoor lifestyle.

12 | Mediterranean home with open-air living.

This Mediterranean villa has every outdoor living amenity you can imagine—two folding doors open to the expansive deck, glistening pool, and dining set. Past the jacuzzi and pool lies the outdoor kitchen, fire pit, and tennis court. The master bedroom opens onto a balcony with mountain views.

13 | Craftsman style house boasts major outdoor living vibes.

This craftsman style home will fulfill anyone’s outdoor living dreams. A large folding door system expands the home into the outdoor living space, which features a fireplace and outdoor TV with comfortable seating. To the right of the covered living space is the al fresco dining area. The luxurious folding passthrough window connects the large farmhouse kitchen to the outdoor entertainment space and adds additional seating at the outdoor breakfast bar.

14 | Walls disappear in this indoor-outdoor living space.

Nothing screams outdoor living more than opening an entire wall of the house to the outdoors. This pool house features a folding window-door combination. The window and door meet in the middle and lock together to create a combination system. This space opens to the outdoor barbecue and dining area, with the pool not far behind.

15 | A compact outdoor space blends inside with out.

This modern home upgrade fully opens to the outdoor balcony and creates an al fresco living and dining space. The inverted zero corner bi-fold system is what makes this space so light, airy, and spacious.

16 | Barbecues, an infinity pools, and grassy pastures.

Another craftsman style home with a beautiful infinity pool and an outdoor kitchen and dining area. The interior dining room is blended with the outdoors thanks to a multi-slide door system. With mountain views and an expansive grass pasture, this outdoor living design is perfect for the whole family.

17 | Contemporary space opens to the outside.

This contemporary home adds warm touches to the design with the natural wood bi-fold doors and pergola. This outdoor space features two folding door systems that blur the lines between inside and out.

18 | Custom lakeside home built to entertain guests.

This lakeside home has a large outdoor entertainment area featuring an outdoor kitchen with grill, a TV and fireplace, and dining area. The folding passthrough window creates an opening from the indoor wet bar, making it the perfect party design. The large folding doors create a smooth transition from interior to exterior.

19 | A wrap-around porch on this mountain home.

This mountain cabin boasts a beautiful, covered wrap-around porch. The folding door system extends the indoor living area to the open-air entertainment zone. This outdoor living room has a modern dining set, additional bar seating at a passthrough window counter, and a firepit area. This is the perfect space for cozying up by the fireplace and star gazing.

Doors are the gateway to your home, literally and figuratively. That’s why choosing and understanding which large glass door systems you need can truly create the perfect indoor-outdoor lifestyle you desire. Now finding patio doors for your home can seem like an easy and simple task, but when you start looking at the different options available, it can be overwhelming. Here is a simple break down to help guide you to your perfect patio door.

There are four popular styles: Bi-Folds, Multi-slides, French Doors, and Lift and Slides.

Bi-folds

The most popular large glass door system is the Bi-fold. Bi-fold doors can eliminate entire walls in your home and bur the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. Bi-folds offer a unique design in which door panels fold up accordion-style on one or both sides of the opening, connecting each space. With almost unlimited folding door configurations available, you can find the perfect Bi-fold door for your space.

Multi-Slides

Multi-slide glass doors are another great option if you are looking to expand your living space to the outdoors. The Multi-slide operates like any sliding glass door: the panels slide open smoothly and stack at either side of the opening. If you want the door panels to completely disappear, pocketing Multi-slides are an option. A pocketing Multi-slide system will stack neatly inside the wall and leave behind a wide-open space. Keep in mind that pocketing doors require a wider jamb, and space inside the wall to stack all sliding door panels.

French Swings

If you love the idea of updating your patio door but lack the space for a larger glass door system, then French Doors are a tasteful alternative. French doors are the essence of class and elegance with a classic European design. French Doors can swing-in or swing-out, so you are guaranteed to find the proper door that will compliment your space. Installing French doors in your home is one of the best ways to create a light-filled, indoor-outdoor living space.

Lift and Slides

No, you don’t have to actually lift the door in order to slide it (although that would be impressive to show off to your guests). The Lift and Slide has a small lever that needs to be turned and with a slight nudge, the doors will smoothly roll away. Like the Multi-slide, the Lift and Slide has a guided track for the doors to slide and stack open. Lift and slides also have pocketing or non-pocketing options, depending on your design needs.

Now that you have a better explanation of the most popular large glass door system styles, you can begin to do more research about the doors you are interested in and talk to your architect or contractor for guidance. You may also visit your local door and window dealer to learn more about product features and view displays. Click here to find an AG millworks certified door and window dealer near you.

Hurricane Dorian struck the northern Bahamas on Saturday, August 31^st, and left damage and devastation behind. As a Category 5 hurricane, wind speeds reached more than 157 mph which, combined with torrential downpours and flooding, caused maximum destruction. According to The New York Times, Dorian has “likely destroyed more than 10,000 homes and wiped out much of the infrastructure.”

According to U.N. officials, “more than 60,000 people on the hard-hit islands will need food” (Orlando Sentinel). If you want to support the Bahamas as they deal with the aftermath of this natural disaster, consider donating or volunteering for the cause. There are many organizations who are working to provide emergency aid and supplies to the Bahamas.

Red Cross

You can donate to the Bahamas Red Cross to help provide shelter, food, water, clothing, blankets, and other resources. The Red Cross currently has 200 volunteers in the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama, with more relief to come.

HeadKnowles Foundation

Headknowles is an organization that raised funds and provided volunteers for both Hurricane Joaquin and Hurricane Matthew. The foundation is accepting monetary donations for Hurricane Dorian relief, as well as emergency supplies. If you are in Florida, there are two donation drop off locations where you can donate items such as generators, tarps, chainsaws, portable stoves, butane canisters, air mattresses, liquid baby formula, diapers, wet wipes, toiletries, and more.

Drop-off Locations

• Florida Paints | 3521 All American Blvd, Orlando, FL 32810
• Headknowles Foundation C/o Tropix Express | 5610 NW 12^th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309

Global Giving

Global Giving is the largest global crowdfunding community connecting nonprofits, donors, and companies in nearly every country. All donations will support relief and recovery efforts in areas impacted by Hurricane Dorian.