Stackers vs Sliding doors?

[Guest]

About to order new windows and doors for our entire house and just unsure which to do there are 2 that will lead out to an outdoor kitchen entertaining area.

Pics of similar layouts for extra brownie points.

[Wendy]

I have stackers, sliders and bi folds. My fave are the stackers - 2/3 open with a flyscreen. Nice but impractical are the bifolds- great for when you entertain but no flyscreen and you need a lot of clear space in front of them for the stack to slide over.

Would I put a bifold in again? NO.

[Mel]

I have a stacker window (it’s actually a mini stacker door) and it’s awesome.

[Oboh]

Stackers all the way. My 6m set cost me 6k.

[Aj Skoien]

I love love my stackers. When we renovated I really wanted bifolds to open up the space/join the indoor living with deck but it just wasn’t possible as the folds would have taken up too much space.

Security screens were also a must for me so I can have air flow even when the glass is closed.

Our builders proposed stackers (for glass and screens) and it is one of the things I was happiest about in the reno. Before and after photos below - the new window is only 40cm wider than the original wood one but feels so much bigger - especially when we are entertaining and have the stackers completely open.



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[Nicole]

I love our bifold door however I’d do a stacker window next time, far less muscle & effort required when opening and closing

[Keri]

We have massive stackers/sliders.

They’re ok but because of the size it would have (I guess) been impractical for the original owners who built the house to add security mesh as well so we just have normal unlockable fly screens which I don’t love - never really feel secure if we’ve got the glass doors open at night in summer. The other downside is the CLEANING.

The tracks gather dust, inside and out, and the screens also get dusty and there’s just so much of them -- Cleaning the glass is a half-day event also. But other than all that they’re ok.

Explore these too: What is the standard choice when updating / replacing security sliding doors like this one?

[Jane]

Had bifold 2 houses ago. Didn’t have a fly screen. Hardly ever opened them Last house had sliders that had fixed panels on either end & 2 doors that opened back onto these with fly screens. I loved these.

Building new house, putting in stackers with security screens (sliders stacking to one side). Lived in house for a month with similar. Last option is more modern with larger opening

[Roz]

Just to clarify, a door that opens as a “folding zig-zag” that stacks agains itself is bifold, stacking doors are generally sliders which have more than one opening panel, so when you slide one open it catches the next one and slides that as well to create a stack against the fixed panel.

These pics are an example of stacking doors opened (you get a much larger) opening section and closed (only one of the panels is fixed). I personally find these a nicer option as far as wide openings without bifolds jutting into the outdoor space.



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[Tania]

I’ve asked many times in this group about the approximate cost of replacing doors and windows and I think I keep getting lost in the thread.

I know it’s dependant on which windows you get, and thermal properties but could you please give me an approximate price per window.

[Sarah]

We have just put Rylock Architectural stackers in. My husband is a building designer and regularly specifies this brand for their quality.

We paid approx $20k for 2400 H x 6000 W doors (including fly screens) plus 2 x triangular windows above to suit 4.6 metre high pitch roof and 3 x sashless windows (all same range and finish).

[Andrea]

We have 2stackers in main bedroom and 3 in family room to patio.

Cost was §15000 but they are floor to ceiling. fabulous!!

[Jackie]

I'm replacing my bi-folds with big sliding doors. I want to be able to open the doors onto my patio without moving furniture and my vibe is MCM so want wooden sliders to match other floor to ceiling windows.

Would you also like to explore: Has anyone put a sliding door on there main bathroom?

[Emily]

Not sure where you are but lift and slide doors have much better thermal performance- less draft and more energy efficient. This might be something you want to consider- good luck.

[Amy]

I think it comes down to, do you live in an area where you can imagine leaving the side of the house open? Not too hot, not too cold? No bugs coming in? Etc.

Stackers are only worth the money (in my opinion) if you live somewhere you can leave them open all the time. If you open them every now and then.....not worth it.

[Leanne]

Get a few professionals out to give you a quote. They’ll be able to explain the differences in styles and price and what suits your home and your budget preference.

[Elizabeth]

I’ve had bi gold windows in the past from the kitchen, if I do again have a opportunity I’d put stackers in, I’m in QLd and having the option to have stacker screens would be my number one reason to choose that option.

My kitchen used to fill with bugs at night if I had the bi fold open and lights on, the next morning my light coloured tiles would be covered in bugs