While bifold doors are generally available in aluminium, uPVC and timber - there are a number of reasons why many homeowners choose doors in aluminium. Whether you prioritise strength, security, aesthetic style, or lack of maintenance – aluminium is a sensible choice for any type of property.
Here, we take you through what factors to consider when choosing a new aluminium external bifold door, including sizes, colours, security, and more.
In this guide:
Read our guide to the different aluminium folding door system colours and finishes.
Read how to choose a secure and safe aluminium folding door.
Find out more about the design features of aluminium bifolds and the options available.
Read what is meant by a corner bifold door & the benefits of this option.
We answer common queries on aluminium bifold doors.
What colours and finishes are available for aluminium bifold doors?
Generally, you’ll have a wide choice of over 150 colours and finishes when buying aluminium bifold doors. Aluminium bifold doors are coloured using a special durable powder coating. Aluminium doors can be painted with a wood-grain effect to give the appearance of wood.
Colour options
Aluminium bifold doors come in a multitude of colours, with black, dark grey and white being particularly popular. Black is a classic, stylish colour that works alongside a wide range of colour schemes in your living space, while the neutral white provides lightness and calm where darker colours are unable. Read our guide to choosing a colour for your bifold door here.
Many door manufacturers—Origin included—use the industry-standard RAL colour chart, which is made up of over 150 different shades and tones.
RAL stands for 'Reichs-Ausschuß für Lieferbedingungen und Gütesicherung' and is German for ‘National Commission for Delivery Terms and Quality Assurance’. The first RAL colours charts (RAL Classic) was compiled by the RAL organisation back in 1927 and included 40 colours.
Find out more about our RAL colours here.
Wood-grain finishes
Having doors painted with a wood-grain effect gives you the look of hardwoods such as oak, but with none of the associated problems that come with natural timber, such as its need for maintenance and its tendency to warp and expand in certain weathers.
Read our complete bifold doors colour guide here.
Powder coating
Aluminium products are given their colour using powder coating, paint, or an anodised finish. Contrast with uPVC doors, which are generally coated with a much less durable laminate foil, or timber doors, which are usually painted and varnished.
Powder coating is a process that uses powdered paint to apply a coloured finish to an aluminium product. The aluminium is pre-treated then the paint is applied using an electrostatic process. It’s then heated to 200°C. A tough coating forms that’s much more hardwearing and scratch-proof than normal liquid paint and able to leave a completely smooth surface.
Read more about powder coating for aluminium doors.
Finding safe and secure aluminium bifold patio doors
Aluminium is very robust and able to support larger panes of glass. Aluminium bifolds generally come with a range of safety and security features, such as secure locks, multi-point locking systems and toughened safety glass. Read our guide to choosing bifold door locks and handles here.
Strength
Aluminium exterior bifold doors are among the strongest doors on the market. Just the fact that they’re made from metal gives them an advantage over doors in uPVC or timber; however, aluminium is especially strong because of how it’s blended with high-strength alloys during manufacturing.
As the door frames are able to support larger, heavier panes of glass, they can be made slimmer, to provide more expansive views onto gardens, patios or other outdoor spaces. Not only that, but they’re better able to resist the wear and tear of frequent use and withstand inclement weather.
Read more about aluminium quality.
Choosing a secure aluminium bifolding door
The best-quality bifolds are equipped with certain features that make them safe to operate while keeping the home fully secure. These include:
a multi-point locking system
a kitemarked security lock
secure hinges
heavy-duty handles
toughened glass
safety features
safety glass.
By law, all bifold doors must have toughened or tempered safety glass as a minimum. These glass options are not only strong but shatter into small fragments (rather than large shards), reducing the risk of injury to people in the home.
If this toughened glass is installed as double or even triple glazing, this makes the panes very difficult to break.
Find out the benefits of choosing double vs triple glazed bifold doors here.
Child-proof features
Some bifold doors come with “finger safe” gaskets that provide cushioning when a child gets their fingers caught between the door and jamb. Other models might have:
magnetic catches to hold the doors securely in place while open
concealed roller systems designed to stop children trapping their digits in the sliding mechanism.
Read more about bifolding door security and safety.
Enjoy a steel-look aesthetic with Soho Bifold Doors
The Soho bifold door style embodies industrial design, making it an excellent choice for modern homes and apartments. The addition of steel-look bars enhances the elegance of the home, lending it a sophisticated industrial look. The distinctive true divides can be customised to suit individual preferences: a higher number creates a warm, heritage feel, while fewer divides offer a more streamlined, modern appearance. Origin Soho Bifold doors are available in a range of colour options, ensuring great flexibility when it comes to choosing the best option for your home.
With their sleek profiles and expansive glass panels, Soho Bifold Doors create a sense of openness, seamlessly connecting spaces. They are versatile enough to suit both small and large areas.
Expertly designed to maintain comfort throughout the year, Origin Soho Bifold Doors are engineered to exceed all building regulations, helping to reduce energy bills by keeping homes warm in winter and cool in summer.
Shop Origin Soho Bifold Doors.
What are the key benefits of aluminium bifold doors?
Aluminium doors have thermal breaks that make them very energy efficient. Thin sightlines are a desirable feature, and aluminium bifold doors tend to have some of the slimmest sightlines on the market.
Energy efficiency
High quality aluminium external doors are engineered to be extremely energy efficient (or “thermally efficient”). Most doors have a thermal break—a piece of plastic between the two aluminium sections of frame that works as a barrier, stopping heat flowing through the metal. This provides excellent insulation and helps you lower your energy bills as a result.
Read more about thermal efficiency of aluminium bifold doors.
Sightlines
A big selling point of bifold doors is the slim sightlines—in other words, the amount of door frame between each pane of glass. Obviously, the thinner the frame, the better the view, and slimline frames are generally more desirable, offering a sleek, modern design.
Aluminium bifolds typically have the slimmest sightlines when compared to a patio door made of uPVC and timber, as the superior strength of the metal means the frames can be narrower and still accommodate large and heavy glass panes.
Thresholds
The threshold is the track the doors slide along when you open and close them. Aluminium bifold doors can be fitted with either a weathered or non-weathered threshold.
A weathered threshold has a small lip, to provide protection against rainwater and inclement weather. A non-weathered threshold is level with the floor. This tends to suit homes with young children, people with reduced mobility, or wheelchair users, but does mean there’s less protection against bad weather.
Bifold doors also incorporate drainage systems that channel rainwater away from the threshold.
Read more about bifold door thresholds.
What are corner aluminium bifold doors?
Installing corner bifolds means removing one complete wall or window and an adjacent wall and putting in two door sets at 90º or 135º angles to each other. When folded back, they open up an entire corner of your property. They can be configured with or without a corner post as support.
Read our guide to creating a floating corner bifold.
Frequently asked questions
Are aluminium frames environmentally friendly?
Yes, aluminium can be recycled infinitely, making it an environmentally friendly choice for construction products, especially when compared to materials such as uPVC. Given the strength and durability of aluminium, our bifold doors are built for longevity and endurance. They therefore need to be replaced or recycled for many decades to come. Read our guide to aluminium vs uPVC here.
How do aluminium bifold doors compare to timber bifolds?
Our table below demonstrates which material we recommend for different buying priorities:
| Key priority | Bi-fold Doors |
|---|---|
Durability | Aluminium bifold doors |
Low maintenance | Aluminium bifold doors |
Style | This depends on your preferred style – if you are looking for a more traditional option, we recommend wooden bifold doors. For a modern, sleek option – consider aluminium bifold doors. |
Cost | This depends on the manufacturer. Timber is often the cheaper option; however, because of aluminium’s long life span, aluminium ends up being the most cost-effective choice long-term. |
Lifespan | Aluminium bifold doors |
Thermal efficiency | Aluminium bifold doors |
Do aluminium bifold doors help to increase property value?
Yes, aluminium bifold doors are highly sought after, and make a durable option for your home, helping to increase property value. Find out more about how to increase the value of your home with bifold doors.
How does double glazing improve the thermal efficiency of bi fold patio doors?
Double glazing improves thermal performance by trapping a layer of inert gas, such as argon, between two panes of glass. This reduces heat transfer and minimises energy loss. Low-E coatings can further enhance the thermal insulation of your new bifold doors, helping to reduce energy costs.
How do thermal breaks in aluminium bifold doors work?
Thermal breaks are insulating barriers within the frame that prevent heat transfer. In Origin Bifold Doors, these are made of polyamide, which interrupts the thermal pathway through the aluminium. Find out more about the benefits of aluminium.
Can bifold doors be energy efficient even with large glass areas?
Yes, with advanced glazing options and robust sealing, large bifold doors like those from Origin can maintain excellent energy efficiency.
Are aluminium doors less thermally efficient than uPVC bifold doors?
While aluminium is a conductive material, modern aluminium bifold doors incorporate thermal breaks—non-conductive materials that prevent heat transfer—making them just as energy-efficient as uPVC options. Aluminium also provides slim frames for improved natural light.
How secure are external aluminium bifold doors?
Aluminium bifold doors are extremely secure and are known for their exceptional strength. Origin Bifold Doors are one of the most secure systems in the market and have passed PAS 24 tests. The unique 8-point locking system offers extra security, making it an ideal solution for providing peace of mind.
Are you choosing new doors for your home improvement project? Find out more about the security features of aluminium bifolds here.
