Double automatic sliding doors – also called bi-parting doors – use two glass panels that slide apart from the centre, opening a wide entrance for busy foot traffic. Where a single-slide door has one moving panel, double automatic sliding doors clear a much larger opening fast, which is why you see them at malls, hospitals and busy retail. This 2026 guide explains how bi-parting doors work, where to use them, and how Coetz supplies, installs and services them across South Africa.
How double automatic sliding doors work
Double automatic sliding doors run two panels on a shared overhead operator; when the sensors detect someone approaching, both panels slide apart from the centre and then close together again behind them. Set up to recognised automatic door technology safety principles, they open hands-free and close safely. They are part of the wider automatic sliding doors family – see how the mechanism works.
When to choose double (bi-parting) doors
Double automatic sliding doors suit wide, high-traffic entrances:
- Shopping centres and supermarkets with heavy foot traffic.
- Hospitals and clinics where trolleys and beds need a wide opening.
- Airports, stations and large public buildings.
- Any entrance where a single-slide door would be too narrow.
Single-slide vs bi-parting doors
A single-slide door has one moving panel and suits standard shopfronts; double automatic sliding doors move two panels to clear a wider opening in the same time, so they handle far more people. If your entrance is wide or very busy, bi-parting doors are usually the right call – our MC-125 system powers both configurations.
Why choose Coetz
Coetz supplies, installs and services double automatic sliding doors as one accountable team. We size the operator to the door weight and traffic, fit compliant sensors, and back every entrance with repairs, maintenance and genuine spare parts.
Coetz has years of experience with automatic entrances across South Africa, from single shopfronts to multi-door developments. We match the operator, sensors and glass to your traffic and building, install to standard, and back every entrance with service and genuine spare parts.
Getting an accurate quote
Because every opening differs, the best way to price bi-parting doors is a site assessment. Tell us the opening width and traffic level and browse our automatic doors range, and we will specify the right door and quote supply and installation nationwide.
Glass, safety and finishes
Every double automatic sliding door is glazed with 6.38mm laminated safety glass as standard and fitted with motion and safety sensors, so the panels stop and reverse if anything is in the way. Choose clear, tinted or double glazing to suit the building, and a powder-coated frame colour to match your shopfront. Because bi-parting doors carry two moving panels, we size the operator to the combined glass weight and daily traffic, and set safe opening and closing speeds during commissioning. Add battery backup so the entrance keeps working through load-shedding, and a service plan to keep the sensors and speeds within safe limits.
What are double automatic sliding doors?
Double automatic sliding doors, or bi-parting doors, use two glass panels that slide apart from the centre to open a wide entrance hands-free, ideal for high-traffic buildings.
When should I use double sliding doors instead of single?
Choose bi-parting doors for wide or busy entrances – malls, hospitals and supermarkets – where a single-slide door would be too narrow or too slow.
Do you install and service double automatic sliding doors?
Yes – Coetz supplies, installs and services bi-parting doors nationwide, with compliant sensors, commissioning and genuine spare parts.
Working with Coetz Glazing
Every double automatic sliding doors project at Coetz starts with a free site measure, so we can confirm the opening, the power supply and the traffic flow before quoting a fixed price.
We build each entrance around a durable aluminium frame, glaze it with 6.38mm laminated safety glass, and set the operator to safe opening and closing speeds during commissioning.
Because we supply, install and service every double automatic sliding doors ourselves, one accountable team handles the job from quote to aftercare, with operators, sensors and spares kept in stock for fast repairs.
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