There was a time, not too long ago, when you’d be hard-pressed to find an extension or renovation project that didn’t feature a set. Bifold doors. It didn’t matter what type of building they were being added to, or how big the opening was to be filled – everyone (myself included) jumped on the ‘out-of-the-box’ bandwagon, and bifolds were a non-negotiable part of this.
But as glazing innovations have changed, so have patio doors in general, with larger sizes, styles and contemporary finishes now on offer, meaning the question is now bifold doors vs. A sliding patio door surrounds, as both options connect internally.
We reached out to some top design experts for their opinions on when each type of door works best and how to identify the right style for your project.
Are bifold doors still in fashion?
In my own home, I have a small set of composite bifold doors – wood on the inside, with a gray powder-coated aluminum finish on the outside – complete with an integrated blind on one side, and a simple fly screen on the other. Since they were established almost 10 years ago, they have stood the test of time well, and I really have no complaints. However, we are going to start on another soon Home extension project and I’m wondering if they still have a place in the current extension trend, or if I should explore sliding. Patio doors Instead
At Edward Stobart, Technical Sales Manager IDSystemsHe shared his thoughts on this with me. “Bifold doors haven’t gone out of fashion, but the way they’re used on projects has changed over the past 10 years. Where they were once the go-to option for any and every project that required large expanses of glazing, nowadays they’re used for smaller openings less than four meters wide.”
Architect James Munro of Pace Architecture Agree that in their experience, patio doors have run away with this style.
“I think we’ve seen a general decline in the use of bifolds over the last 10-15 years – and now we rarely mention them for a number of reasons,” he says, noting how many of his customers are keen to explore other options, instead looking for something different from bifold doors.
A long-serving member of the IDSystems team, for the past 20 years Edward has advised and supported do-it-yourselfers and renovators in identifying the most suitable glazing options for their projects. He recently completed a complete renovation and remodel of his home, transforming a tired 1960s home into a stylish modern family home. Their expertise ensures that each project is equipped with advanced, bespoke glazing designs that enhance both functionality and aesthetics.
James is an architect with over 20 years experience working on homes for clients. He has delivered many complex large scale renovations for commercial clients including new basements, swimming pools and multi-unit mixed used developments. His expertise includes working on listed buildings and obtaining challenging planning consents in all London boroughs and across the South-East.
Are sliding doors replacing bifold doors?
If bifold doors aren’t your go-to option – sliding doors are the most obvious option, but what’s different about them and why might they be a better fit for your plans?
“When a client comes to us wanting to open their ground floor onto a garden or terrace, we usually steer them towards this. Sliding doors Instead,” states James Munro.” The difference in everyday experience is significant. A good sliding system creates a truly seamless connection between interior and exterior. In the summer, you live in both places without even thinking about it.
“Bifolds, unlike stack panels, eat into usable floor area when open, and folding mechanisms can, in our experience, be more prone to failure over time.”
What are the alternatives to sliding and bifold doors?
Of course, sliding doors aren’t the only option worth considering – there are plenty of other options that are currently enjoying immense popularity.
“Our two most common specifications now are sliding systems and steel-framed, crittal-style glazing,” says James Munro. “The choice between them is driven by both how the client plans to use the space and the architectural character of the project.
“Sliding Suits Open plan livingWhere the inner and outer boundary should dissolve. Crital suite projects where the glazing is as much about how it works as it is about how it looks – we tend to specify these as floor-to-ceiling units with tall elegant proportions and fixed side lights. It has a more considered, classic quality without reverting to French doors.
“We also have large fixed areas in many of our projects Architectural glazingoriel or Picture window – a tall, fixed window creates a view of the garden,” continues James. “This variation adds interest internally and externally, as well as being more practical in terms of window treatments and furniture placement, and it also helps to zone the room,” he notes, noting how the design of bifolds can leave less room for these finer details.
While a bifold may be the best option
While bifold doors may no longer be the sole champions of the patio door world, they still seem to have a lot to offer, so what are some instances when they are still a viable option?
“Where bifold doors come into their own is their ability to open the aperture completely, unlike sliding doors which almost always require a fixed frame behind which other panels slide,” points out Edward Stobart.
“For smaller openings, leaving part of the opening in a fixed frame can be a very significant compromise, so the ability to fold and slide the bifold to create a seamless transition between inside and outside remains as popular as ever.”
If your lifestyle or location makes large expanses of exposed walls unrealistic, a more fixed frame system may be a better option, notes James Munro.
“My personal view is that in practice, you rarely want or need to open a full wall of glass. This advantage, when it comes to a few weeks of the year, does not override the negative of having more vertical frames and glass panels than a sliding system, which can only open two-thirds of the way,” he says. “I also think there’s something more fun about sliding a high-quality framed system in as well,” he adds.
Will new developments in bifold doors change things?
It’s important to note here that things haven’t just stood still for bifold doors – there have been some significant developments over the past few years that could see them rise to the popularity stakes once again.
“When it comes to ‘fashion’, Art Deco-style designs, aluminum bifold doors with horizontal strips in glass are driving sales as they more closely match the look of traditional steel-framed doors – offering traditional style to period properties, or adding character to new-builds. Extensions Or houses,” says Edward Stobart.
“One area where the demand for bifold doors decreased significantly was with timber-framed systems,” continues Edward. “However, developments in thermal efficiency mean that aluminum doors are just as efficient as timber systems but without the risks of frames warping and flexing.
“While sliding doors may have replaced bifold doors for most large openings, such as inventions Vistaline slide and turn system from IDSystems Now offers options for homeowners to consider. The system has narrow frames like sliding doors, but with panels that slide and stack at one end like bifolds. From this he is considering an extension or Home renovation They have more choice than a decade ago.”
FAQs
Are bifold doors safer than sliding doors?
For many homeowners installing patio doors, security will be a priority. In the past, bifold doors were more secure than sliding doors, thanks to their multiple locking points, however, when it comes to modern systems, there isn’t much of a difference.
“When it comes to factors such as security, weather protection and thermal efficiency, the development of all aluminum door systems means that there is very little between different door types,” says Edward Stobert, although he adds that quality really matters here.
“The saying ‘you get what you pay for’ really applies Cost of bifold doorsSo making sure you choose the best possible system from a reputable supplier is especially important for long-term peace of mind.”
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