A bifold opens almost 100% of the wall but the folded panels take up deck space, need more upkeep and are harder to screen. A stacker (multi-panel sliding door) opens about two-thirds of the wall, seals better against wind-driven rain, takes a simple sliding flyscreen and needs no deck space. For most exposed or coastal decks a stacker or a lift & slide is the safer choice; for a sheltered courtyard where a fully open wall matters, a bifold.
Side by side
| Bifold | Stacker sliding | Lift & slide | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear opening | About 90–100% | About 66% (3-track) or 75% (4-track) | About 50–75% |
| Deck space when open | Panels stack inside or out, 0.5–0.7 m | None | None |
| Weather sealing | Good, more joints | Good | Best: panel drops onto seals |
| Flyscreen | Retractable or pleated screen | Simple sliding screen | Sliding screen |
| Upkeep | Hinges and track need care | Low | Low |
| Panel size | Narrower panels, more frames | Wide panels, less frame | Largest, heaviest glass |
Which suits your site
- Exposed coastal or high-wind sites (common in Sydney, Perth and the coast): stacker or lift & slide, with a water rating to match the site wind class.
- Sheltered courtyards and alfresco areas: bifold, when a completely open wall matters more than screening.
- Big views, very large glass: lift & slide.
- Tight decks or paths: stacker, because nothing swings or folds out.
Our systems
The 75 thermally broken bifold runs on German LSM folding hardware. Stackers come in the 80, 100 and 120 heavy-duty thermally broken series, and the 139 lift & slide carries the biggest panels. Factory water and wind figures are on each page.
Questions
Is a bifold or stacker door better?
A stacker is better for exposed sites, screening and low upkeep; a bifold is better when you want the whole wall open. Lift & slide suits the largest glass.
Do bifold doors leak?
A well-made bifold with the right water rating should not, but it has more joints than a slider, so on exposed decks a stacker or lift & slide is the safer choice.
How much of the opening does a stacker open?
About two-thirds with three tracks and about three-quarters with four.
Can bifold doors have flyscreens?
Yes, usually a retractable or pleated screen across the opening.
Which is cheaper, bifold or stacker?
For the same opening a stacker usually costs less, because it has fewer panels and simpler hardware.