Bifold or sliding doors: which suits your home?
Opening the back of the house to the garden is one of the most popular jobs we do, from 1930s semis in Enfield to Victorian terraces in Palmers Green. The question that comes up every time is whether to choose bifold doors or sliding doors. Both are good choices. The right one depends on how you use the space.
How they open
Bifold doors are made of several panels that fold against each other like a concertina and stack at one or both sides. When they are fully open, almost the whole width of the opening is clear.
Sliding doors have large glass panels that slide past each other on tracks. One or more panels move, so part of the opening is always covered by a panel, but there is nothing to fold or stack.
Views when the doors are closed
This is where sliding doors win. With fewer, larger panels there is less frame and more glass, so on a grey day in November, when the doors stay shut, you see more of the garden. Bifolds have a frame at every fold, which means more vertical lines across the view.
Space when the doors are open
Bifolds give the widest clear opening, which is ideal if you entertain in summer and want the kitchen and patio to feel like one room. They do need a little room at the side for the stacked panels. Sliding doors do not swing or stack, so they suit tighter spaces and patios where furniture sits close to the glass.
Everyday use
Most bifold sets include a traffic door, a single panel that opens like a normal door, so you can let the dog out without folding back the whole set. With sliding doors you simply slide one panel open. Both work well day to day; it comes down to whether you want the full opening a few times a year or the bigger view all year round.
Thresholds, security and warmth
Both types can be made with a low threshold so the floor runs through to the patio, although a completely flush threshold needs good drainage outside, especially on exposed walls. Both come with multi point locking, and both must meet current Building Regulations for thermal performance, which our installations are registered for with Assure Certification.
What we install
We fit bespoke ALUK aluminium bifold doors and aluminium and uPVC sliding doors in single or dual colours, with several track options. You can see a recent job in our post on anthracite aluminium sliding doors. If you would rather keep a more traditional look, French doors are another option, and for a whole new room take a look at our conservatories and roof lanterns.
Our quick guide
Choose bifolds if you want the widest possible opening for summer and have room for the panels to stack.
Choose sliding doors if you want the biggest view all year, slimmer frames and nothing to fold.
Not sure? Come and try both at the showroom.
Visit us at 4 Hampden Square, Southgate, London N14 5JR, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm, call 020 8361 0128 or request a free quote.