There was a time, not so long ago, when it you would be hard pushed to find an extension or renovation project that didn't feature a set of bifold doors. It didn't matter what kind of house they were being added to, or how big the opening being filled was – everyone (myself included) jumped on the 'bring-the-outside-in' 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 now tends to be around bifold doors vs sliding patio doors, as both options connect inside with out.
We reached out to some top design experts for their views 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 – timber on the inside, with a grey powder-coated aluminium finish on the out – complete with integrated blind on one side, and a handy fly screen on the other. Since they were installed around 10 years ago, they have withstood the test of time well, and I really have no complaints. However, we are soon to embark on another home extension project and I'm wondering whether they still have a place in current extension trends, or if I should be exploring sliding patio doors instead.
Edward Stobart, technical sales manager at IDSystems, shared his thoughts on this with me. "Bifold doors have not gone out of fashion, but how they are used on projects has changed over the past 10 years. Where once they were the go-to option for any and every project that required large expanses of glazing, nowadays they tend to be utilised for smaller apertures, under four metres wide."
Architect James Munro of Pace Architecture agrees that in his experience, there has been a move away from this style of patio door.
"I think we have seen a general decline in the use of bifolds over the last 10-15 years – and we now rarely specify them, for a number of reasons," he says, citing how many of his clients are keen to explore other options, seeking something that's different to bifold doors instead.
A long serving member of the IDSystems team, for the past 20 years Edward has advised and supported self-builders and renovators to identify the most suitable glazing options for their project. He has recently finished a complete renovation and remodel of his own home, transforming a tired 1960s house into a stylish modern family home. His expertise ensures that each project is equipped with cutting-edge, 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, including new basements, swimming pools and multi-unit mixed used developments for commercial clients. His expertise includes working on listed buildings and obtaining challenging planning consents across all London Boroughs and across the South-East.
Are sliding doors replacing bifold doors?
If bifold doors are not your go-to option – sliding doors are the most obvious alternative, but what's different about them and why might they be more suitable for your scheme?
"When a client comes to us wanting to open their ground floor to a garden or terrace, we typically steer them towards sliding doors instead," reveals James Munro. "The difference in day-to-day experience is significant. A good sliding system creates a genuinely seamless connection between interior and exterior. In summer, you are living across both spaces without thinking about it.
"Bifolds, by contrast, stack panels, eat into usable floor area when open, and the folding mechanisms can be, in our experience, more susceptible to failure over time."
What are the alternatives to sliding and bifold doors?
Of course, sliding doors are not the only alternative worth considering – there are lots of other options also enjoying plenty of popularity right now.
"Our two most common specifications now are sliding systems and steel-framed, Crittall-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 living, where the boundary between inside and outside should dissolve. Crittall suits projects where the glazing is as much about how it looks as how it performs – 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.
"In many of our projects we also have large fixed areas of architectural glazing, oriel or picture windows – tall, fixed windows framing a view of the garden," continues James. "This variety adds interest internally and externally, as well as being more practical in terms of window treatments and placement of furniture, and it also helps with zoning a room," he adds, noting how the design of bifolds can offer less room for these more nuanced architectural details.
When bifolds can be the best option
While bifold doors might no longer be the only champion of the patio door world, they still seem to have so much to offer, so what are the instances when they are still a viable option?
"Where bifold doors come into their own is their ability to completely open an aperture, unlike sliding doors which almost always need a fixed frame behind which the other panels slide," points out Edward Stobart.
"For smaller openings, giving up part of the aperture to a fixed frame can be quite a considerable compromise, so the ability to fold and slide bifolds to one end to create a seamless transition between inside and out, remains as popular as ever."
That said, if your lifestyle or location makes large expanses of open walls unrealistic, a more fixed frame system might be a better option, notes James Munro.
"My personal view is that in practice, you rarely want or need a full wall of glass to open up. This benefit, when it comes for just a few weeks of the year, does not override the negative of having more vertical frames and panels of glass than a sliding system, which might only open up to two thirds," he says. "I also think there is something more pleasurable in sliding a high-quality framed system too," he adds.
Will new developments in bifold doors change things?
It is important to note here, that things haven't just stood still for bifold doors – there have been some significant developments in the last few years that could see them coming up in the popularity stakes once more.
"When it comes to 'fashion', Art Deco-style designs, with horizontal bars across the glass have given aluminium bifold door sales a boost because they more closely match the look of traditional steel-framed doors – offering traditional style for period properties, or adding character to new-builds, extensions or homes," says Edward Stobart.
"The one area where demand for bifold doors fell significantly was with timber-framed systems," continues Edward. "However, developments in thermal efficiency mean that aluminium doors are just as efficient as timber systems but without the risks of frames warping and flexing.
"While sliding doors might have replaced bifold doors for most larger apertures, inventions such as the Vistaline Slide & Turn System from IDSystems now offer alternatives for homeowners to consider. The system features narrow frames, just like sliding doors, but with panels that slide and stack to one end like bifolds. This has given those considering an extension or house renovation more choice than they would have had a decade ago ."
FAQs
Are bifold doors more secure than sliding doors?
For many homeowners installing patio doors, security will be a priority. In the past, bifold doors did tend to be more secure than sliding doors, thanks to their multiple locking points, however, when it comes to modern systems, there is not much of a difference.
"When it comes to factors like security, weather protection and thermal efficiency, the development of all aluminium door systems means there is very little in it between the different types of doors," says Edward Stobart, although he goes on to point out that quality really does matter here.
"The adage that ‘you get what you pay for’ really applies with bifold door costs, so ensuring that you choose the best possible system from a reputable supplier is especially important for long-term peace of mind."
Whichever type of door you end up opting for, it is still worthwhile looking into the best home security systems.
Alongside your choice of patio door, whether you are building from scratch, renovating or extending, make sure you think through your front door ideas really carefully too – they really can make or break the overall kerb appeal of a property.
And, to make the connection between indoors and outdoors even more cohesive, make sure you understand how to make an extension work with your garden.
