Bifold vs Sliding Doors: Which is Better?

Written by Marc Howe

Considering home improvements and want to smoothly connect your indoor and outdoor spaces? Selecting the right patio door is key, but as bifold and sliding doors are both popular options across the UK, how do you decide which is best for you?

Personal preference and the aesthetics of your home will play a big role in your choice, but there are some other factors to consider too, so here at Double Glazing Direct we’ll guide you through the process of replacing your old patio doors and help you make the perfect selection.

What opening options are there with bifold doors vs. sliding doors?

Blend indoor and outdoor living with bifold doors

The key difference between bifold and sliding doors lies in their opening mechanism. Bifold doors consist of multiple panels which fold back like an accordion to one side of the frame, while sliding doors have two expansive glass panels which slide open to the side with one pane behind another. Bifold doors can dramatically open up an entire wall, making them an excellent choice if you have a large patio area or terrace and enjoy holding sunny summer gatherings with lots of family and friends. With bifold doors your guests can enjoy maximum access to the garden with lots of space to drift in and out with ease, creating a seamless transition between your living areas.

Space-efficient sliding doors

If you’re concerned about bifold doors taking up space when opened, sliding doors might offer an ideal solution. As they slide open one behind the other, you don’t need to leave a clear space in your room. With an ultra-modern aesthetic, they may align better with your home too if you enjoy a contemporary living style. Our sliding doors boast a range of configurations from 2 to 4 panels so we can create beautifully wide entrances that flood your home with natural light.

Which is warmer – bifold or sliding doors?

Are bifold doors thermally efficient?

With autumn well and truly upon us, thoughts are turning to how we can keep ourselves and our homes snug and warm during the cooler months. Homeowners sometimes have concerns that bifold doors will be poorly insulated, but here at Double Glazing Direct our bifold door range is constructed from high-performance aluminium with an innovative polyamide ‘thermal break’ element which provides outstanding insulation.

Are sliding doors going to be drafty?

Your old patio doors may have needed draft excluders, curtains and all manner of paraphernalia to keep the cold out of your home, but our high-performance aluminium sliding doors never compromise on thermal performance. And if you opt for uPVC rather than aluminium, our uPVC doors are developed using the latest in multi-chambered profile technology, trapping pockets of warm air inside. So whichever you choose you can be assured of keeping your heating bills low and your comfort levels high.

Which has the most design options – bifold or sliding doors?

Looking to customise? Bifold doors could be the answer

Bifold doors can be customised with various panel configurations, frame materials, and glass selections. This allows for a wider range of aesthetic choices to match different home styles. At Double Glazing Direct, we offer between 2 and 7 folding panels in our bifold doors with a range of entrance arrangements to perfectly complement your lifestyle. And if you’re looking to marry the thermal properties of our aluminium bifold doors with a more traditional look, we can offer over 150 colours to choose from including shades suitable for a conservation area. We also offer an authentic textured woodgrain finish so you can enjoy the aesthetic of real wood without any of the maintenance issues.

Let in the light with sliding doors

They may not have the design flexibility of bifold doors, but sliding doors can still boast 2 to 4 panels, and, with the uninterrupted glazing this offers, you can revel in beautifully clear views over your garden. The slimmer frames of our aluminium sliding doors give you unparallelled sightlines and allow the light to flood into your home – ideal for the darker autumn days. As with our billfold doors, Double Glazing Direct boasts over 150 colours to choose from too, so you can create truly bespoke doors to impeccably complement your home.

Are Bifold or Sliding doors more secure?

Bifold doors built to last

Aluminium is renowned for its strength so if you’re looking for bifold doors that combine stylishly slim sightlines with real toughness then this could be the perfect pick for you. And along with high-quality multi-point bifold door locks included as standard, all our bifold door products undergo extensive testing and checks meaning you can have total peace of mind.

Sliding Doors -keeping you safe and secure

Double Glazing Direct offers you the option to add an extra layer of protection with advanced triple glazing which is more resistant to impact than double glazing. With high quality patio door locks as standard, all our sliding door products undergo extensive testing and checks, meaning you can relax in the knowledge that your home and family is safe and secure.

Bifold doors and sliding doors from Double Glazing Direct

Investing in either a bifold door or a sliding door is an excellent way of updating your home and taking the best advantage of your outside spaces. With all our doors made to keep you safe and warm in any weather, you can enjoy maintenance-free, impressive views for years to come. If you’d like a free quote just complete our form here.

As well as exceptional bifold and sliding doors, we also offer other types of doors alongside a range of popular windows and extensions, designed with energy efficiency, security, style, and functionality in mind.

For more information about our range and to make the right choice for your living space, contact us here, give us a call on 01296 320252 or even visit our Aylesbury showroom, where we will be only too pleased to discuss your options.

Double Glazing Direct Ltd