For anyone unsure of the type of back door to the garden we give some general advice.
What is best? French Doors, a patio door or bifolding doors?
For new extensions, there is naturally more flexibility. You, your builder or architect can work with you, creating a larger structural opening. The bigger the door opening, the greater the choice of door options.
For replacing your old doors, the size limits the doors available. However, there remains a good number of options and solutions. Today’s modern patio doors accommodate both large and small openings.
French doors will probably be the ideal choice for typical smaller openings and bifolding doors or patio doors for the larger ones. There are several things to consider with all three but particularly patio doors versus bifolding doors.
French Doors
French doors you may know as a set of double doors that most people choose to open outwards although of course, they can open in if you wish.
Double French Doors will be more suitable to the smaller structural openings, but aluminium french doors are better than PVCu French Doors because they can be made taller and wider. This is good news if you have a typical 2400×2300 structural opening that PVCu doors can only go into when coupled to sidelights and toplights. This means more bulky PVCu sections, less glass and a smaller door area. Don’t forget that the sidelights and toplights add to the cost of a set of doors as well.
In aluminium, however, French Doors can be manufactured at maximum sizes of 1260mm wide for a single door and at least 2460mm wide for french doors. Aluminium French Doors can also be made substantially taller than most PVCu doors at 2400mm high negating the need and the additional cost of a toplight. Some other doors can also be built taller than this if needed.
French doors with most quality systems will meet high security using multipoint locking, and many have passed the latest PAS024 security tests. Additionally, with aluminium french doors you will get substantially thinner profiles than any PVCu door meaning more glass area and less aluminium.
The advantage of french doors over patio doors is that if they are your only access door into your garden, you can use only the one leaf instead of both. In the summer you have the option of opening both door leaves, and if needed these can be fitted with integral door restrictors.
The Patio Door
The most significant advantage of patio doors and sliding doors is that because they slide on one track, they take up less space when open than French Doors or bifolding doors. If you have a tiny patio or even a balcony, patio doors will make more sense. Additionally, they will not be prone to blowing open or closed on very windy days like any swing type door.
Modern patio doors in aluminium now come at substantial sizes typical of the big glass sliding doors that you will have seen on Grand Designs.
Patio door technology has advanced quite significantly in recent years. With a modern sliding door, you get one, two or three tracks. These tracks enable the various door leaves independent sliding, also providing options on how you open your doors.
Patio doors are generally available as two, three or four pane sliders although custom doors with more panels are available. The slim aluminium profiles now mean that even two-pane patio doors come suitable for doors up to five metres wide. There are even sliding doors such as the Dutemann going up to 6.7m wide with jus,t two panels. As a result, you benefit from impressive views thanks to the expansive glass area, and with minimal visible aluminium.
Sophisticated hardware and rollers in modern aluminium patio doors mean that while some considerable patio door leaves can weigh several hundred kilos, they remain remarkably light to use and slide daily.
Some patio door systems can go up to three metres in height as well giving you huge doors if you are building a bespoke opening.
Patio doors also have sophisticated security built-in with protection where the door panels overlap and excellent multi-point locking systems.
Bifolding Doors
Bifolding doors are to many the ultimate door for the back of the house and obviously offer features that the other two types of doors cannot. The biggest advantage is when fully open they open up the entire building opening to create a fantastic open space and a seamless transition between the inside and the outside of the house.
There are now many configurations of bifolding doors giving you flexibility in how they open. If you have a simple 2 metre wide opening and wish to replace old french doors or an old two pane patio door, you can have two pane bifolding doors that concertina open. But on a two pane door when they are open they won’t give you a much bigger clear opening than two french doors fully open. The advantage is that you will only have open doors on the one side instead of both sides with french doors. You will also lose the flexibility of only opening one door as you can with French Doors.
Again if your bifolds are the only access door into your garden, we strongly recommend one swinging access leaf opening on the one side with the rest of the bifolding doors sliding open on the other side. This will enable you to simply swing open one door if you wish to take the rubbish out or on winter days without having to slide every door open.
Bifolding doors provide the best of all worlds when configured and designed correctly but are ideal where the open doors won’t encroach on the outside space and where the structural opening is big enough to accommodate them. If you have an existing opening of 2700mm or more there is no reason why you cannot have bifolding doors.
Steel replacement patio doors.
One of the most desirable patio doors right now is the steel-look or steel replacement system. These heritage and contemporary-styled products offer an altogether different look at the back of your house. Contact us for more information about these latest products and where to buy.
So which is best? A patio door, a bifolding door or French Doors?
Ultimately this will be a matter of personal preference as to what best suits your home. If you are on a budget for aluminium doors, then French doors will be the cheapest option. Patio doors will be a little less than bifolding doors and bifolding doors the most expensive option.
If budget was not a deciding factor then bifolding doors are the most desirable. However, if you want maximum size possible glass panels then we suggest patio doors.
Regardless of choice, aluminium doors offer you many advantages.
Regardless of what you choose and when compared directly to their PVCu counterparts, all door types will offer you much slimmer profiles than plastic doors. PVCu is a much weaker material than aluminium. Therefore PVCu is thicker and with internal reinforcing to give it the strength. Therefore you will have much thicker doors if you opt for PVCu.
The finishing of aluminium is another huge advantage to aluminium doors. Not only have you got a massive colour choice open to you with several hundred possible colours available, but if your budget stretches to it you can have doors with different colour inside and out as well as matching the doors to internal paints like Farrow and Ball.
For doors located in a very exposed location or even near a swimming pool with a chlorine environment you can even have extended guarantees on the polyester powder-coated aluminium to protect the doors against contaminants.
Also available is woodgrain technology for aluminium doors. You benefit from authentic-looking wood doors, superior in appearance to PVCu woodgrain, foils. And this coating technology also coats every surface of the profile, even the invisible ones whereas the foils used in PVCu doors cannot.
With all quality aluminium doors now having passed or exceeded British or European standards for security and weather performance you also have peace of mind that your aluminium doors no matter how large or small will be secure and highly weather resistant.
Will you be able to match different patio doors?
The design of all three products is different going back to basics in how they open, slide or fold. Therefore it is unlikely you will be able to match your doors to all look the same. This should not be a major concern to you though as the sightlines of aluminium products generally tend to be consistent and similar in, width, but you will not have matching doors. For example, French doors are available in flat, chamfered or ovolo profiles whereas patio doors generally are flat in their appearance. Bifolding doors can vary on the profiles with flat contemporary looking products available as well as those with more rounded frames and doors.
If the back of your house or your new extension is large enough to accommodate bifolding doors and french doors, then you will have ultimate flexibility. There is a great choice of products available to you.
Mike Fowler says
Hi
I’ve just moved into a bungalow with (pretty grotty) sliding patio doors. Their width is 2.4m. You suggest a 2.0 m, two pane bi-fold create much more benefit. I get the impression that you’re suggesting 2.7 metres is ideally the minimum. Have I read that correctly, or do you think 2.4m would be ok.
Many thanks
Ivan Scott says
Hi Nick
We are replacing a sliding patio door ( 1800mm w x 2100mm h ) with either a bi-fold or French system – you appear to recommend French or sliding for this width size, is this because bi-fold wouldn`t look right for this narrower size or some other reason, we were thinking of the space saving outwards on to the decking area but after reading various comments we are now thinking French types again. any advice would be greatly appreciated
Nick Dardalis says
Hello Ivan, the only thing to bear in mind with bifold doors is on a two panel you’ll need to fold them open every time. You may find the opening action of just one door leaf for quick access easier for daily use. Either option will give you similar glass sizes, similar profiles. It’s just deciding as well whether you want your doors to slide and fold in one direction or have a door open on each side.
Peter Walsh says
Hi Nick,
Only recently came across your site and are finding it very informative.
We are looking for some advice regarding the extension we are about to build, to the rear of our house. We are opening the rear wall up and when finished the outer wall will be some 3.8m long, into which we will build patio doors. We are thinking of 2700/2800 wide by 2055 high (the current window height)
Due to the lack of outside space, there will be only 500mm left of the current flagged area. We can increase this to a metre or possibly just over. The problem here is that the garden rises quite steeply and sits on bedrock.
We are not keen on bi-folds, so are thinking of sliding doors, also because of the space issue.
After more than a week, we still await the local installer for Origin windows to make contact. (Origin are now dealing with this.)
We wouldn’t mind French doors, but are mindful,of the points you raise with other enquirers.
As our build is now likely to cost more than we expected, due to acces issues, we may have to look mo re closely at the costs of the doors.
Are you able to make any suggestions, re practicality and cost effectiveness, in order to help us please?
We are in PR6 in Lancashire.
Thank you.
Nick Dardalis says
Hi Peter, thanks for your question and your kind comments on our website.
Origin doors and windows are excellent but there are cheaper alternatives out there. If space inside the house allows, how about opening in bifolding doors? I appreciate you’re not keen on them but just checking you are aware the doors can be configured to open in?
French doors will need sidelights as the widest door leaf you can have is about 1200mm wide with systems such as the Aluk French Door, SAPA Dualframe Door or more premium doors like Schuco or Reynaers. So with a 2700/2800mm opening, you will need a fixed window either side. On this basis I would still look at a bifold – you’ll get a more flexible door. Also (apologies for continuing to push the bifold) if you configure them as a four panel, you can use the middle doors like a set of french doors. Or as a three panel with a traffic door still giving you quick access in and out without having to fold the doors back. Above all you get to fully open the doors when you want to.
With a sliding door you will have either a 50% or two-thirds opening depending if you go for a two panel slider or a three panel. I think your best options are a sliding door if you are ok to lose some of the opening as this will give you the better views and less vertical mullions. A bifold, while it will take up space on the outside, could also slide in one direction only so you only lose some outside area on the one side not both.
Above all it’s worth thinking about how often you will use your doors. For example if the back doors in a house are the only doors out to the garden then functionality should be a consideration as well. If you have another rear/side door then the compromise is not so great.
I hope this helps,
Kind regards
Nick
Hannah says
Hi Nick
Looking for your advice, we are in the early stages of building design knocking 3 rooms into one and removing an external wall between back external door and sliding doors. When currently accessing the garden we have 3 steps from back and sliding door to the garden area. I would like bi-fold doors (3238mm wide x 2040mm high) which would open up external to the house, however our builder has advised that this would only be possible if we built a wider step (think he said 4ft), it would not pass building control if we left the steps as is. We want to avoid this as our garden was only renovated last year. The only option is for the bi-folds to fold internal to the space, is there any other way we can make this work with the current external steps remaining as it and having the doors fold external?
Nick Dardalis says
Hi Hannah, no it doesn’t sound like there is with opening out doors. The only other option you have is sliding doors. Obviously inward opening doors are not always ideal but many people do have them opening in. I think you need to look at what will give you the best functionality in your home and if the doors are preferred opening outwards then you may need to compromise between that or having to extend the steps.
Hope this helps
Kind regards
Nick
william rigler says
hello I am looking at lift and slide floor to ceiling windows witch would have to span an opening on to the garden of 7m with how many glass panels would it take .And a rough ball park figure would be a grate help
Nick Dardalis says
Hello William, thank you for your enquiry to the Aluminium Trade Supply Website. Our website is an information resource only and does not quote directly or provide any products. On a 7 metre width, it sounds like a three or four panel will be required. There is a big choice of sliding doors out there but the good news is all the products are very well-designed and made today.
If you can get in touch via our contact form with your location, happy to put you in touch with some local installers that can help and give you a price.
Hope this helps,
Kind regards
Nick
Ruth says
Thank you so much Nick. Very helpful.
Ruth says
Hi Nick
We wanted to seek your advice about our doors. We have had an extension and have a 3 metre gap to fill. The. Aluminium sliding doors feel heavy so am leaning towards French doors. We have been told for 3 metres we would have 2 doors and 2 glass panes at each side. In addition the cost is the same as aluminium bi-folds. Is that right?
Thanks so much
Nick Dardalis says
Hi Ruth, thanks for your questions. The first thing i’d say is that sliding doors shouldn’t feel heavy in use with the modern rollers and components they use. If you’ve not seen a lift and slide door, that is worth considering. Lift and slide doors do feel lighter, but again down to personal point of view.
Most aluminium door leaves can go up to about 1200mm wide each, giving you approximately a 2400mm door frame with a sidelight taking up the difference. Again it is up to you if you have two sidelights (one each side for symmetry) but that will result in quite small glass sides.
Yes a bifold will fit that opening and if you design it right with a traffic door, that can work as an all year round door to get in and out of.
It’s hard to guide you on pricing as so many factors affect the price you pay, however bifolds retail for about £900-£1100 per panel as a very rough guide price.
Hope this helps, please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’ve any questions or need further information.
Kind regards
Nick
Catherine Horn says
Hello we have sliding doors 1850 wide which need replacing. As we’re putting a cat flap in too we need to get french doors (we can’t afford bifolding) We’ve been given 2 quotes one with and one without side panels but we’re worried about the doors being too heavy to have without side panels which we liked the the look of. We’re confused as both people quoting seem to be saying different things.
Nick Dardalis says
Hi Catherine, thanks for your question. Most of the aluminium systems on the market should go up to 1200mm wide and up to 2400mm high (subject to the brand) so I don’t think you need side panels on an aluminium door, but it does depend on what product you have been quoted. The doors will not be too heavy so don’t worry about that.
At 1850 mm wide you do not need side panels so please don’t over-pay for your doors having extra panels and smaller doors because you don’t need them. Your doors are well within the limits for most systems such as Origin, AluK, Smart Systems, SAPA, Schuco, Reynaers, Alumina and many more.
Hope this helps. If you want to get in touch via the website happy to put you in touch with someone that can quote you the right product. Do let me have your location.
Hope this helps,
Kind regards
Nick
Chris Boys says
I live in a bungalow. My builder is opening up the back of the house removing a wall between two windows to create a 4.2 metre gap. A lintel has to go in. What concerns me is if the bi-folding open outwards won’t the weight put considerable pressure on the lintel. That is, is there a danger of the whole lot falling outwards? You opinion would be appreciated.
Nick Dardalis says
Hi Chris, lintels are put in all the time in similar situations and a professional builder will fit this properly. If there was a problem with the weight of bifolds it would be the doors popping out of their frame and the frame coming away first. There is nothing to worry about with a correctly installed lintel and properly fitted bifolding doors.
Happy to put you in touch with a local installer if you’d like to use our contact form with your details and location.
Alex Nolan says
Hi, I have a very narrow opening where currently we have wooden French doors that are now showing their age. Quite tall as well.
I do not have the exact height to hand but don’t think that would be the issue.
Width is about 970mm
May be able to squeeze it up a little but if a channel was made into the masonry.
What is your minimum width?
Thanks
Alex
Nick Dardalis says
Hi Alex, at a very rough calculation your doors come in at about 430mm per door leaf excluding the frame, which should be ok to go in the corner crimper or other mechanical method of making the doors. Your consideration is whether to perhaps go for a single door as it will be far more useable to get through. But in answer to your question your existing size is fine for either a single door or a pair of French doors.
Have dropped you an email if you’d like us to suggest some local suppliers for a price.
Hope this helps, please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’ve any questions or need further information.
Adam says
Hi.
We are knocking a lounge and kitchen together at the back of the house and want to replace two sets of upvc French doors with aluminium windows/doors.
1st French doors are approx W1800 mm x 2050 mm
2nd French doors are approx W1450 mm x 2050 mm
We want as much glass as possible and want one set of French doors replaced with a single large non opening window and the other with a door(s)
We aren’t sure which opening to have as a window and which as door or what type of door is best as what we’ve seen still look quite chunky like upvc which we are replacing.
Could we for example have a single sliding door in smaller opening – do they slide on the outside of the house ? As we have no space to slide inside
Any help appreciated.
Adam
Nick Dardalis says
Hello Adam, thank you for your comment on the Aluminium Trade Supply Website.
The existing door openings you have are fine for either a large fixed window or a set of doors. If you choose a slimline aluminium door and window system there is no reason why you can’t get the large glass area that you want.
The sliding doors sliding outside are very typical of European systems but rarely seen here, a competent door installer should be able to advise you on this, which in theory should be possible.\
If you can give me your location, I can suggest local companies that supply these types of doors that can help you. Do let me know and I can assist you further.
Kind regards
Nick
Raj Sood says
Hi we have an Edwardian house and are creating a french door to the garden area
The ideal height we would like is 2.5 metres by 1.3 metres
Is this possible?
Nick Dardalis says
Helo Raj, the width is fine for a double door, the height is slightly oversize as most good systems will go to 2.4. Might be worth considering one of the bifolding door systems but used as a hinged door instead of a sliding/folding. Send me your details via the contact form and will try to help you out.
Kind regards
Nick
Nina Mistry says
Hi we have a 4.9 opening and is the only opening and glass in my open plan area. We are struggling to decide on which doors to have bi fold or slinging. We started off with bi fold the changes to sliding as didn’t think we would open that often due to uk weather. But with 3 panels the track will be chunky. Which do you think we should go for.
Nick Dardalis says
Hi Nina, have emailed you directly on this one. It really is your choice but you mention the doors will be shut most of the year so that might be an important consideration for you. Are you aware that you can get some two panel sliding doors on a double track, thereby reducing the depth? Take a look at Dutemann doors or air sliding doors and these may be an option for you. AluK, Smarts, SAPA and other systems can also achieve this depending on the spec and design.
These and quite a few of the current generation of sliding doors can accommodate two panels at the larger sizes you have so this could be a solution.
As regards bifolding or sliding, it really depends on how you intend to use them. No doubt the bifolds are better if you want to open up the entire opening in the summer, but sliding doors will give you those great views all year round. With a near 5 metre opening either will do the job well. I’m a big fan of sliding doors for the views when closed and the large glass areas when closed, but that’s a personal preference.
Hope this helps, please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’ve any further questions.