Bi-fold patio door costs: the options and what you can expect to pay

Whether you're embarking on a self-build project or simply researching ideas for renovating your home, it's likely you'll have considered bi-fold doors as a potential glazing option.

Available in a range of finishes including aluminium, timber, composite and uPVC, they're a great choice if you're looking to add a vast amount of light to your interior and open up part of your home onto an external patio area. 

But, as with most purchases, bi-fold patio door costs can vary based on a variety of different factors.

What can affect bi-fold patio door costs?

"Like everything in life, the standard of quality of bifold doors varies significantly," says Edward Stobart, a sales manager for IDSystems. "More basic systems offer less protection from wind and rain, are designed with nylon rather than stainless steel components and are not able to achieve the same levels of thermal performance as more expensive systems. 

On a practical level, the size, glazing, cill and threshold finish, hardware and colour naturally has a significant impact on bi-fold patio door costs, so with quality and size front of mind, here's what you can expect to pay for the different types along with some pros and cons of each.

Edward Stobart

Edward has been working in the glazing industry for over 20 years and is no stranger to the world of homebuilding and renovation, having recently finished a complete renovation and remodel of his own home, transforming a tired 1960s house into a stylish modern family home.

Aluminum bi-fold patio doors

Perhaps the most well-known version of this popular style of patio door, aluminimum bi-fold doors are suitable for use across a variety of property styles. Naturally suiting a more contemporary conversion or self-build, they can also provide a pleasing contrast to a more traditional home.

Made from a lightweight powder-coated aluminium some manufacturers offer them as a standard sized ready-to-fit solution, while others offer a bespoke service. The vast range of colours available, their excellent thermal efficiency, rigid construction, slimline appearance and low maintenance makes them initially more expensive than a uPVC or timber version, but advocates claim they are worth the investment in the long-term.

"Whilst timber and uPVC bifold doors have been an option in the past," says Edward, "both materials have significant drawbacks in terms of their design characteristics. 

"Timber bifold doors over time require significant ongoing maintenance to protect the wood and to prevent the panels from warping and twisting, whilst the innate flexibility of uPVC means that it isn’t an ideal material for bifold doors or able to achieve the slender appearance of aluminium frames."

How much do aluminium bifold patio doors cost?

IDsystems say basic aluminium bifold doors start from around £700 per sqm and for high-performance door systems you should expect to pay from around £850 per m2 – prices exclude VAT but include installation.

Kloeber price its Aluminium Kustomfold range between £610-£1460 per m2, with a 3000mm x 2200mm version, 3 panel door, standard colour, double glazed and standard cill (excluding trickle vents) working out at coting £813 per m2.

For an off-the-shelf solution from Express Bi-folds Direct, a 3 fold door, 1800mm wide x 2090 high in white, grey or black with a rebated threshold, fitters and maintenance pack costs £2,580.

Timber bi-fold patio doors

As with aluminum bi-fold doors, costs for timber versions vary depending on size, quality and finish. However, when it comes to the benefits of timber over other material choices, advocates say there are several.

"Timber can be maintained and re-painted over time, included changing the colour if that’s your preference," says Rob Owens, sales manager for Westbury Windows & Joinery. 

"Timber is also a better thermal insulator than aluminium, and a timber folding door – especially if it includes glazing bars and panels – will give you a traditional feel to the build, even though it’s a more modern way of the door physically opening."

Ready-made timber solutions are available if you have a standard size opening to fill and it may be worth checking out what's classed as a standard size if you are in the early stages of house design – being able to purchase a set of doors off-the-shelf may reduce time and budget constraints. Unlike bespoke timber bi-fold doors though, a prefabricated version will generally be made from softwood in order to keep the costs lower.

Likewise, colour or timber stain choice will be far wider in a bespoke version, as will the options for cill finishes, hardware and overall configuration.

Rob Owens

Rob Owens has over 13 years of experience in the design and manufacture of timber windows, doors, and roof lanterns, making him an expert when it comes to helping you choose the right doors for your project.

How much do timber bifold patio doors cost?

Westbury Windows & Joinery quote around £2,100 for a timber glazed bifold door with no panels and bars, which equates to an average cost of £1,000.00 per m2 excluding VAT.

Kloeber prices its prefabricated Eurofold timber bi-fold range from £2,795 & VAT for a 2090mm wide x 2200mm high, 3 door, double glazed unit finished in a choice of four colours. The price excludes trickle vents but upgrade options are available, such as increasing your glass to be triple glazing.

For ready-to-assemble solution from Vufold, a pre-finished oak 3 door 2100mm x 2100mm set is priced at £2,365 including handles, door catches, trickle vents and an install kit.

Composite bi-fold doors

Combining the practicality of aluminium with the aesthetic quality of timber, composite bi-fold doors are as they suggest – a mix of both finishes, with aluminium on the outside and timber inside.

"Essentially, they are an aluminium door system with internal timber cladding – so they operate and perform just like an aluminium door, but look from the inside just like a timber door," says Edward, "so a customer can have the look of timber without needing to worry about on-going maintenance."

Although the internal timber will of course need re-decoration over time, it will be far less exposed to the elements as even though it would be exposed to the outdoors when opened, it's unlikely you will do this on a day that's not sunny and dry.

Again, as with timber and aluminium bi-fold patio door costs, it's possible to get a range of prices for pre-made and bespoke solutions.

How much do composite bi-fold patio doors cost?

IDSystems tell us you can expect to pay £950 per m2 for a composite bi-fold patio door, with the price excluding VAT, but including installation.

VuFold quote £3,492 for a composite door, with aluminium cladding outside, real oak inside, triple glazing, chrome handles and a fitting pack and door catches.

uPVC bi-fold patio door costs

Although uPVC products were once revolutionary in the glazing industry, the raft of uPVC conservatories and windows that flooded the market eventually became a less popular option as the rise for more aesthetic products increased.

Nonetheless, manufacturers recognised the popularity of bi-fold patio doors as a door style choice and followed suit with a matching product range. It's also possible to purchase them in a dark anthracite grey – a colour more commonly associated with their aluminium counterparts.

And although the more bulky nature of the material means you lose some of the clean lines associated with aluminium versions, they may be an option if you are looking for the functionality of a bi-fold system without some of the extra costs.

How much do uPVC bi-fold patio doors cost?

For a standard sized dark grey or white 2090mm x 2090mm 3 door system, with fully reinforced steel uPCV profiles, toughened double glazed Approved Document Q compliant glazing, sill, trickle vents and a 10 year guarantee, Express Doors Direct quote £2,675 including VAT with a 15-20 working day lead time. The glazing is supplied for install once the doors are in place due to weight restrictions.

Other standard sizes are available, and it's still possible to get a bespoke quote if your opening is not suitable for an off-the-shelf version.

Additional costs

Factoring in additional bi-fold patio door costs is less about the doors themselves and more about the work needed beforehand say the experts. Although it should be noted that in new builds, understanding the Secured by Design legal requirements may affect the choice of glazing and thus the cost.

Threshholds

When it comes to the opening, the decision for a rebated threshold will also have an impact. Also known as a non weathered threshold, it is a design feature where the track is almost flush with the floor. While it gives a practically seamless finish and level access there is a risk of rain penetration and there is likely to be more work involved in creating this. 

Choosing a weathered threshold however means there will be a small lip on one which automatically joins with the seal on the bottom of the bi-fold doors to ensure a weathertight finish.

Openings

"Additional costs mainly depend on whether there is an existing door set to be removed, or if the opening needs to be changed," says Rob.

"Our folding door system is a top hung system and therefore a structural beam or steel is required to hang the doors from to ensure they slide and fold freely," says Rob.

"So, if the homeowner is creating a new opening, there may be a need for some structural work, whereas if the doors are being fitted into a brand-new opening that has been built with a sufficiently sized steel, then the costs should only be for supply and install. 

"And while some small seasonal adjustments maybe required whilst doors and the building settles, these can often be undertaken by the homeowner if they have reasonable DIY skills," adds Rob.

Installation

"Beyond the cost of building work required to create the opening for bifold doors there should not be any additional costs involved," agrees Edward – but with a caveat. 

"It is worth doing your research to know who is going to carry out the installation of your doors. Ideally you are looking for a supplier who manufactures and fits the doors themselves rather than sub-contracting out the work, because this is the only way you can guarantee the quality of not only the product itself but also of the finished installation."

Checkatrade currently estimates the cost for installing bifold doors from £600 - £1,200, depending on the size of the doors and the work involved.

FAQs

What are the benefits of bi-fold patio doors?

In addition to flooding a room with light and providing an almost seamless transition to the outdoors, "bi-fold doors can be adapted for trickier spaces such as corners," says Graham Lindsay, managing director of  Weru UK .

"Known as a cornerless solution, this requires a cantilevered roof but it can look stunning."

Graham Lindsay

Graham Lindsay has over 30 years of experience in the industry, having set up the UK arm of Weru in 1985. He has a vast amount of knowledge to share with customers.

Are bi-fold doors practical? 

"If you are looking for a solution for a high-use traffic door for general day-to-day access, you may opt for a hinged door which most bi-folds can incorporate," says Graham.

"Most manufacturers can fit a ‘traffic door’ into a three-panel (or any odd number, 5 etc) bifold, so the first panel can be opened on hinges allowing you to go in and out like a back door.

It's also important to consider where you want to lose the space that the doors will take up when they are folded open. Whether they open inwards into your room or outwards onto your patio or hard landscaped area, you'll need to factor in the loss of some floor space and remember that you'll need to be able to move around them.

Make sure you check the opening direction on any plans corresponds with your order – I nearly fell foul of such an error when I installed them on an extension. Had I not spotted it, the doors would have jutted out into the centre of the patio when opened.

How can you reduce bi-fold patio door costs?

Reducing the cost of your bi-fold patio doors comes down to three things:

1. Size Can you reduce the size of your opening so that you need less doors (three is the minimum)? Although it's worth noting that decreasing the size may mean you don't get the benefit of light and sense of space that are the real selling points of a bi-fold system.

2. Material Athough short term price savings may appeal, it's worth weighing up the long term implications of reducing your initial outlay. Timber will require maintenance and regular decorating, while other versions will require little or no maintenance.

3. Glazing Choosing standard double glazing that adheres to current building regulations will be sufficient now and is likely to be cheaper than other glazing options such as triple glazing. The risk? It may not offer you as much thermal efficency and heat savings as other types.

Should you choose bi-fold patio doors for your project? While they were once the only choice, experts suggest things may have moved on.

"Bi-fold doors can be installed on almost any type of property, although they are perhaps better suited for extensions and renovations with smaller apertures," says Edward. 

"Over recent years sliding patio doors, with their ultra-narrow frames and huge panels of glass have become the more popular option for larger openings or complete self-build homes."

Meanwhile, for more information on the energy efficiency of glazing, read our guide on the types of energy efficient windows.