Bifold doors and sliding doors (also known as in line sliding patio doors or 2,3 or 4 pane sliders) are tall, fully glazed doorways available in upvc or more popular nowadays, aluminium. They are usually positioned to allow access to the garden
or conservatory. Both types of doors are perfect for letting light and warmth into the house, and for creating a seamless transition between home and garden, so the bifold versus sliding doors choice is mostly one of personal preference.
Both types of doors create a good connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, provide plenty of beautiful natural light, and come in a range of modern styles. They both operate in a different way, however, so in this article we present a comparison of the pros and cons of each choice.
Bifold doors comprise two or more door panels, or leaves, attached to the door frame on a sliding carriage track along the bottom or the top. When the doors are opened, they fold in or out on themselves, creating a v-shape, and stack together in a concertina-style when fully opened. Bifold door prices start from £2,900, and will be fully fitted (including VAT).
Pros
- The entire doorway can be made into an opening – unlike sliding doors, in which one or more panes are always shut.
- The amount of opening space can be varied, with the bifold extended to allow the desired space.
- Wide range of styles and configurations to fit all available spaces.
- Different designs open inwards or outwards.
- Lightweight and easy to install.
- Increases the value of the home.
Cons
- Requires enough space for the concertina stack either inside or outside the building, equivalent to the width of each door pane.
- Large spaces will need multiple door panels, resulting in a large stack when fully open, and potentially obscuring the view to the garden.
What is a sliding door
Sliding doors comprise two or more sliding panels and, like bifold doors, are mounted onto a track at the bottom of the frame, but this is where the similarities end. Sliding doors are designed to slide horizontally along the track without stacking, so that when open, one door sits in front of the other. Sliding door prices start from £1200, it is fully fitted including VAT.
Sliding doors consist of movable sides and one permanently fixed side, so the door only ever opens on one side of the doorway. ( A French door, on the other hand, has two identical panes that can both be opened).
Pros
- Provide a broad view of the garden or patio with minimal interruption.
- The opening space can be adjusted to provide access, or simply to let fresh air into the house.
- Lightweight, modern style.
- Does not require an outward or inward opening space, so are perfect for smaller areas.
Cons
- Doors only ever open on one side.
- The large, unbroken expanse of glass may pose a safety issue for children or animals.
Making the right choice for your home
At Harvey’s Windows, we install beautiful, high quality sliding doors and bifold doors for our customers in the Leicestershire area. We consider both to be fantastic choices for garden and patio access and would be delighted to help you choose a style and door type that suits your home. To find out more, or to request a quote, please give us a call today.
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