Aluminium bifold doors are a hugely popular way of opening up spaces and letting the light flood into your home. Bifold doors are a perfect option for homeowners looking to open up their house to the outdoor spaces, benefit from lots of natural light and enjoy expansive views of their gardens. A recent study by Origin discovered that 65% of Brits who work for home don‘t take the time to go outside during a working day. Making the most of natural light is therefore extremely important, and bifold doors are a great option for bringing the outdoors in.
Here, we take you through the benefits of aluminium bifold doors, their energy efficiency, security options and more. We also discuss the features of the Origin Soho External Door.
In this guide:
Read the key benefits of choosing bifold doors.
Read the key differences between each type of patio door.
Read the key benefits of choosing aluminium.
A full guide to bifold door energy efficiency.
Read the different bifold door glazing options available.
Read the different colour options for bifold doors.
Find out the different size options for bifolding doors.
Read the different threshold options for bifolding doors.
Read the different bifold door security features.
Read the different Origin Bifold Door options.
Why choose bifold patio doors?
There are many benefits of bifold doors, hence their popularity among owners of both contemporary and traditional homes, as well as those renovating period properties.
Here are the key reasons to choose bifold patio doors for your home:
Available in a massive range of materials to suit all styles of home – from aluminium bifolds to timber
Large expanses of glazing possible to provide great views and lots of natural light
Can be opened up completely thanks to their operation mechanisms, which allow them to stack neatly up against one another – either in your internal space or externally
A large range of colours available (depending on the material you choose)
Level thresholds are possible to create a seamless link between the inside and out – also good for those with accessibility requirements
A large range of configuration options
Low maintenance (depending on the material you choose – aluminium bi-folds require barely any)
Can make spaces feel bigger
A range of size options mean they are suitable for both large and more compact home
Find out more about the benefits of bifold patio doors.
How do bifold doors compare to other patio doors?
Bifold doors vs sliding doors
When to choose sliding doors:
Sliding doors offer extremely slim sightlines and require no space to stack up when open. They are also often available in larger width panel sizes. You may want to choose sliding doors if you have less space to work with – for example, if you have lots of garden furniture in front of the doors.
Choose bifold doors because:
The way in which they can completely open up a wall, stacking neatly and creating an uninterrupted view
The possibility of including a separate access door that opens in the same way as a conventional door, which avoids having to open up the entire set each time you wish to go outside
They can be more affordable than sliding doors (although this will depend on the material and configurations you opt for)
Read our full guide to bifold doors vs sliding doors.
Bifold doors vs French doors
French doors were traditionally the most popular way of providing access to patios or terraces, allowing for larger openings than standard single doors, with floor-to-ceiling glazing. French doors remain a favoured style of patio door for many people, and are ideal for small openings, suit traditional style homes exceptionally well and can be an affordable option too.
It is worth bearing in mind that there is no reason why you can’t combine both bi-fold doors and French doors as part of your house design. Many people choose to finish off a new extension with a swathe of bi-fold doors and opt for French doors elsewhere on an existing section of the house or within a conservatory.
Find out more about bifold doors vs French doors.
Why choose aluminium as a bifold door material?
Aluminium bifold doors hold many benefits over the other materials available, including:
The strong yet lightweight nature of aluminium makes huge panel widths possible
Smooth operation
Minimal risk of warping, twisting or rotting over time
A large choice of colours and finishes
Little maintenance required to keep them looking their best (though more is required is certain areas such as coastal properties)
No requirement for priming or painting
Great thermal efficiency
Slim sightlines
While aluminium bifold doors are not the cheapest option out there, particularly when compared to uPVC, the advantages they offer more than justify the extra cost. No maintenance costs or repairs should be required, they come with long guarantees (here at Origin, we offer a guarantee of up to 20-years) and could even save you money on your heating bills thanks to their superior thermal properties.
Aluminium bifold doors are also great for creating the industrial look that is currently enjoying a revival – think original Crittall steel-style windows or Georgian bar effects. However, they are lighter, stronger and more thermally efficient than steel. Our Origin Soho External Doors are a perfect option if you are looking for a steel-look bifold door.
Read how to choose high-quality aluminium bifold doors.
Are you looking for a Soho-style bifold door? Explore our Origin Soho External Door!
Our all-new Soho Collection epitomises the pinnacle of luxury and style. With sightlines of just 36mm, the Soho External Door provides extensive glass panels for maximum light and eye-catching aesthetics for any property development. The sought after steel-look, seamlessly merges cutting-edge design and ultra-slim sightlines with unparalleled functionality.
Contact your local installer today to bring your vison to life.
Created bespoke to ensure you can make the most of your space, the Origin bifold patio doors range from one to twelve door sets. Individual patio doors can be manufactured as narrow as 400mm, as wide as 1,200mm and as tall as 3,025mm. You can choose how your patio doors open and close – whether they fold in or out, and how they slide – to meet your exact needs.
View the Origin Soho External Door here.
Bifold door energy efficiency
The thermal efficiency of your bifold doors will depend on the material you choose, the manufacturer, along with the glazing type and, to a degree, how well they have been fitted.
The thermal efficiency of doors can be measured in U-Values – the lower the U-Value of a door, the better. It is not unknown for companies to publish U-Values based on the centre pane of the door rather than the overall U-Value, which is the important one. Check the type of glazing they are basing the value on too. In the case of Aluminium Bifold Doors, when fitted with triple glazed units, they can achieve U-Values of just 1.1W/m²K. Our OB-36+ Soho aluminium bifold doors achieve U-Values as low as 0.87W/m2K when using triple glazing.
Timber is a naturally good insulator and so wooden bifold doors are often very thermally efficient. Although aluminium conducts heat easily, brilliant thermal efficiency is still achievable when selecting aluminium bi-folds, providing the doors are fitted with a thermal break – which all of Origin’s are. Thermal break barriers are made of a non-conductive material, such as a polyamide. This separates the inner and outer aluminium frames, reducing the flow of thermal energy.
Bear in mind that if bi-fold doors are not properly fitted, draughts could occur. Always use a trained and accredited retailer to install them – our find an installer tool will ensure you’re in safe hands.
Read our full guide to aluminium bifold door energy efficiency.
Bifold door glazing options
When choosing bi-fold door glass, you will need to decide whether double glazing or triple glazing will be best for you. Both options have their pros and cons.
Double glazed bifold doors
Two panes of glass with an air gap between them sit within the frames. This air gap contains an inert gas (argon, for example) that is heavier than air and so insulates the doors from heat and sound. If you opt for aluminium frames with a thermal break, you can increase the thermal efficiency of the doors even further.
Triple glazed bifold doors
Made up of three panes of glass, with two air gaps, increasing the thermal efficiency of the doors by up to 50% compared to double glazed bifold doors. While triple glazed bi-fold doors are a more costly option than double glazed, many people consider the extra cost to be worth it for the boost in thermal efficiency (and the saving on heating bills) as well as the improved sound insulation. You might like to consider triple glazed bifolds if you are building a Passivhaus, live next to a busy road or are in a particularly exposed area.
Find out more about double vs triple glazed bifold doors.
Bifold door colour guide
When selecting bifold door colours, you should take your cue from the materials used elsewhere on the facade of your home, as well as your immediate surroundings.
If you have existing windows in a colour that you will be keeping, then it can make sense to match your new bi-fold doors to those. However, if your windows are a neutral shade, such as white or black, you might want to draw attention to your bi-fold doors by either opting for a bold contrasting colour, or a different shade of that colour – for example – if your windows are light grey, why not opt for dark grey bifolds?
You should also take into account the cladding materials used on your house and find a shade to suit. Crisp white render can match up with many different colours, while something like a rich handmade brick might need some careful colour choices to ensure the rich tones of the brickwork aren’t overwhelmed.
Origin’s powder coated aluminium bifold doors come in over 150 RAL colours, and on the OB-72, two woodgrain options are available, so you won’t be stuck for choice.
Read our full guide to choosing a bifold door colour here.
Bifold door configuration options
When you know the sizes of your opening, you can think about and speak to your supplier about the bifold door configuration that will best suit your needs.
It is generally advisable to stick to an odd number of panels, so that you can incorporate an access door into your configuration (also sometimes called a lead door or master door). An access door allows you to get in or out of the doors without having to open up the entire set. Access doors are simply operated just like a standard door.
You can play around with different door configurations by using our handy online configuration tool.
Bifold door thresholds
The track that the carriage and wheels of bi-fold doors run in are also known as thresholds. There are several ways thresholds can be fitted into the ground and you will often find you have a choice of a ‘weathered’ or ‘non-weathered’ threshold.
A non-weathered threshold is often referred to as a ‘flush threshold’ and lies almost flat with the ground, whereas a weathered threshold features a small lip to which the seal of the bi-fold doors compresses against, forming a weathertight seal. Although many people favour the sleek appearance of non-weathered thresholds, they tend to be best for bi-fold doors in more sheltered spots as they do not offer the same protection against driving rain or high winds as weathered.
If you were to opt for a weathered threshold, your installer will be able to recess the threshold into the floor, creating a minimal lip of as little as 14mm.
Read our full guide to bifold door threshold options here.
Bifold door security
When including a large opening that connects your house to the outside world, it is natural to ask, ‘how secure are bi-fold doors?’ Rest assured that, providing you choose doors from a reputable supplier and manufacturer, you will not be compromising the security of your home by installing bi-fold doors.
All new bi-fold doors have to conform to PAS 24 security standards as a minimum. However, for added security, it is also advisable to buy doors that have been manufactured to meet the Secured by Design Standard – and Origin’s bifold doors meet both of these standards.
You should choose external bifold doors that are fitted with a multi-point locking system. At Origin, we fit our bifold doors – which are already heavy duty thanks to the extremely strong aluminium frames they are manufactured from – with a unique 8-point locking system. We also use sturdy zinc hinges that have been designed to withstand attacks and a cylinder lock that has been tested to ensure it is resistant to picking, snapping, drilling, and bumping.
Find out more about bifold door security here.
The Origin Soho External Door (OB-36+) and Origin Contemporary External Door (OB-49 and OB-72)
The Soho and Contemporary External Doors from Origin differ primarily in design and technical specifications. The Soho Collection features a steel-look with ultra-slim sightlines, emphasising luxury and cutting-edge design. It offers sightlines as slim as 36mm and thermal efficiency up to 0.87W/m²K. The Contemporary collection, on the other hand, focuses on large panes of glass and slim sightlines (49mm and 72mm) and thermal efficiency up to 1.1W/m²K.
Both Collections are designed for elegance and functionality, with options for customisation in sizes, colours, and opening mechanisms. Visit our bifold door range here.