Bifold doors are one of the best features you can have in a Wollongong home. They open up a space completely, connect your living area to the outdoors and let in as much of the Illawarra breeze as you want. The problem is that most bifold doors leave you with a choice between keeping them open and letting in insects and unwanted attention, or closing them up and losing everything you opened them for.
The good news is you do not have to choose. The right security screen solution lets you throw your bifold doors wide open while keeping insects out, maintaining privacy and adding a meaningful layer of protection. This guide covers your best options.
Why bifold doors are different to screen
Standard hinged doors are straightforward. A traditional fly door on a hinge works well because it mirrors the way a hinged door opens. Bifold doors are a completely different story.
When a bifold door is fully open, the panels fold against each other and stack to one side. There is no fixed frame for a hinged screen to sit in, no single panel to attach a standard door to and no way to use a conventional fly door without blocking the opening you are trying to use. This is why most homeowners with bifold doors either go without any screen at all or install something that compromises the look they paid for.
The solution is a screen system designed specifically for multi-panel configurations.
Option 1: Retractable fly screens
Retractable fly screens are the most popular solution for bifold doors, and for good reason. The mesh pulls across your door opening when you need insect protection and retracts completely out of sight when you do not. When your bifold doors are stacked open, the screen disappears into its housing and the view you love remains completely unobstructed.
Bayside's retractable screens are specifically designed for multi-panel door configurations including bi-fold and stacking setups, whether the doors swing in or out. Slip pins let you temporarily fix one door panel in place for single-entry use, so you are not always moving all the panels just to step through.
The key thing to understand about retractable fly screens is that they are an insect protection product, not a security product. They will keep out flies, mosquitoes and bugs, but they are not designed to resist forced entry. If security is also a priority for your bifold opening, you need a different solution or a combination approach.
Option 2: Amplimesh Supascreen security screens
If you want genuine security as well as insect protection from your bifold opening, Amplimesh Supascreen is the strongest option available. SupaScreen uses high-tensile 316 marine-grade stainless steel woven mesh held in a corrosion-resistant aluminium frame with a patented pressure-fit system and no visible fixings or screws. It is certified to Australian Standard AS5039 and has been independently tested against fire, blades, dynamic impact, UV exposure, lever prying and cyclonic missile impacts. It is trusted by over 2 million Australian customers and backed by a 16-year warranty.
Amplimesh Supascreen is available in a stacking configuration, which makes it one of the few certified security screen products that can be fitted to a bifold opening without compromising the way the doors function. Each panel is individually screened and the stack configuration allows the full opening to be used while still providing AS5039-rated protection when the opening is in use.
The mesh aperture is 1.5mm x 1.6mm with 41 percent airflow, meaning it also functions as an effective insect barrier while delivering certified security performance.
Which option is right for your bifold doors?
The answer depends on what you are trying to achieve.
If insect protection and maintaining the look of your doors is the priority, a retractable fly screen is the right choice. It disappears completely when not in use, suits all bifold configurations and is the most seamless solution available.
If security is also important, particularly for bifold doors that face the street, a side passage or a less visible part of your property, Amplimesh Supascreen in a stacking configuration gives you certified AS5039 protection alongside insect barrier performance. It is a more substantial investment but it is the only option that delivers real security for a bifold opening.
In some cases, the right answer is both: a security screen on the bifold opening for when you want the doors closed and secured, and a retractable fly screen for when you want the doors open and the view unobstructed. Our team can walk you through this combination approach during a free measure and quote.
Why choose Bayside for your blinds and curtains?
At Bayside Security Doors & Blinds, we have been helping families across Wollongong and the Illawarra find the right screen solutions for their homes since 1989. We supply and install a full range of security screen doors and windows, including Amplimesh Supascreen and retractable fly screens, and every product is custom measured and professionally installed.
We hold a Master Security Licence (410068622) and are members of NSSA and ASIAL. Every job comes with a workmanship guarantee, and we start with a free, no-obligation measure and quote at your home.
Whether you need a single blind or want to outfit your entire home, our team can guide you through the options that suit your lifestyle and budget.
Book a free measure & quote
Call (02) 4271 1955 or book through our contact form. We will visit your home, walk you through the options, and leave you with a written quote on the spot. No obligation, no charge.
Call Now: (02) 4271 1955
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. Amplimesh Supascreen is available in a stacking configuration that suits bifold door openings and is certified to Australian Standard AS5039. Retractable fly screens are also available for bifold doors and provide effective insect protection, though they are not a security product.
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Retractable fly screens are the most practical and popular option for bifold doors. They pull across the opening when needed and retract completely out of sight when the doors are open, so they do not obstruct the view or the function of the doors. Bayside's retractable screens are specifically designed for bi-fold and stacking door configurations.
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No. Retractable fly screens are designed for insect protection, not security. If you need a product that provides resistance against forced entry, Amplimesh Supascreen in a stacking configuration is the right choice. Our team can advise on the best combination of products for your specific bifold opening during a free measure and quote.
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A well-made, properly fitted screen should complement your bifold doors rather than detract from them. Amplimesh Supascreen uses a fine stainless steel mesh that does not significantly obstruct your view or the natural light coming in. Retractable fly screens disappear completely when not in use, so there is no visual impact at all when the doors are open.
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Yes. We install security screens and retractable fly screens across Wollongong, Unanderra, Dapto, Port Kembla, Figtree, Fairy Meadow, Corrimal, Bulli, Thirroul, Shellharbour, Albion Park, Kiama, Gerringong and every suburb in between. We are based in Unanderra at 3/5 Luso Drive and can usually book a free in-home measure and quote within the same week.