Aluminium bifold doors make an eye-catching addition to the home, helping to utilise natural light and bring the outside in. Origin Bifold Doors can be used for various locations and suit any type of property.
Find out more about the different options of locations for bifold doors and how to choose your ideal bifold door.
In this guide:
Find out more about the benefits of choosing aluminium bifold doors.
Read how to choose aluminium bifolds for patios.
Find out how bifold doors can be used for kitchens.
Read how to use aluminium bifold doors for home extensions.
We answer common queries on choosing aluminium bifold doors.
What are the benefits of aluminium bifold doors?
External bifold doors are often used to divide indoor living spaces (such as a kitchen or dining room) from an outdoor space (such as a patio, decking or garden). Bifold doors allow easy, seamless access to the outside when opened, and expansive views from inside when closed. Their tall and wide glass panels let in lots of natural sunlight, creating the illusion of additional space and facilitating modern, open-plan living.
It’s also possible to incorporate bifold doors into other rooms, buildings or building conversions, such as summer houses and garages.
Because they are external doors, aluminium bifolding doors need to:
withstand extreme weather—for example, heavy rain and strong winds.
be energy efficient—stopping heat escaping and cold air entering.
keep the property safe and secure
High-quality bifold doors, such as the Origin Bifold Door, have all the features required to protect homes from the elements while providing unassailable security. Aluminium is highly durable and offers exceptional strength and security. Aluminium bifolds are also often available in a wide range of colours, configurations, and sizes, allowing you to choose the best bespoke option for your home.
Aluminium bifold doors for patios
One typical use for aluminium bifolds is as patio doors, whether installed in a newly created doorway or to replace old patio doors.
While there are sliding patio doors and French doors, aluminium bifolds are particularly effective due to their:
Ability to make space
Bifolds integrate inside and outside when fully open
Energy efficiency
The abundance of glass provides extremely good insulation
Versatility
Aluminium bifold doors come in many different sizes and configurations
Lack of maintenance
Aluminium doors, in particular, require hardly any upkeep
Read our complete guide to choosing bifold doors here.
Are you looking for a modern, durable external patio door?
Our recommendation:
Unlike any other door, our aluminium bifold doors provide a completely uninterrupted view when open and offer the flexibility to enjoy your indoor and outdoor space as one. Our doors are also available in 150 RAL colours, allowing you to find the perfect option for your home.
Shop our aluminium bifolding door collection.
What to consider when buying a new bifold door
What to consider when buying a new bifold door
Materials
Popular materials for patio bifold doors include aluminium, uPVC, and timber. The right option for you depends on your priorities. If cost is your priority and you have a small budget – options such as uPVC doors may be ideal for you. However, bear in mind that although a material may be cheaper, it is often not the most sensible long-term investment. Aluminium is known for its exceptional durability and strength and will last you for years to come, making a perfect option if you are looking for the most secure option for home.
Read more about choosing your folding door material.
Configuration options
How many door leaves do you choose, and in which direction are they going to open and fold? Your ideal option depends on the space you have available, and your personal style preference.
Read more about bifold door configurations here.
Glazing
Is the glass double or triple-glazed, toughened or laminated? Try and look for a door with double or triple glazed options rather than a door with single glazing. Learn the differences between double and triple glazing here.
Threshold options
Should it be weathered to guard against flooding, low-threshold or non-weathered to be flush with the floor? What drainage options are best? What works with corner bifolds?
Read our full guide to external bifold door threshold FAQs here.
Bifold doors for kitchens
Read our guide: “Kitchen bi-fold doors—options, sizes, costs and design ideas” to find out more.
The kitchen is one of the most popular locations for bifold doors, particularly when used as external doors that open out onto a patio or garden.
As with patio doors, homeowners generally have a wide range of bi-folds, sliding doors or traditional French doors when looking to install doors in the kitchen. Bifold doors are hugely popular due to their ability to provide a seamless link between inside and out.
Once folded and stacked fully to the side, bifold doors leave all the aperture open, meaning easy, unencumbered access from the kitchen to the patio, garden, conservatory, or other space. Sliding doors don’t offer the same advantage due to their design. Most kitchen bifold doors are available in many colour options and designs. Many manufacturers use the industry standard RAL colour chart, which offers over 150 different shades. This means you can always find a product to match the colours already present in your kitchen cabinetry, wall finishes and other home décor. When choosing a door for the kitchen, you may also want to choose a door with slim sightlines to achieve the best views possible. Consider the interior of your kitchen and your surroundings to find an option that complements your home.
Read our complete guide to choosing bifold doors for kitchens here.
Need inspiration or some design ideas? We can help!
Bifolding doors for extensions
Your intention when building any home extension should always be to get as much value as you can from the project.
Aluminium bifold doors provide that perfect finishing touch to any modern extension, increasing the value of your property, expanding the interior space, and allowing you a more comfortable style of living.
Find out more about extensions with bi-fold doors and how to build them.
What to consider when building extensions with bifold doors
You’ll need to take the following into account when using bifold doors for an extension:
Sizes
The size of your extension will dictate how many panels your bi-fold doors can incorporate. The general rule of thumb is that “bigger is better”—larger door panels mean more light, a less obstructed view (especially with slim sightlines) and the greater the feeling of space inside the home.
Read more about how to decide what size of extension is best.
Planning permission
Bifold doors don’t need their own planning permission, so providing you have permission for the extension itself, you shouldn’t encounter any issues.
Which professionals to use
Having an extension built usually requires the hiring of certain tradespeople and professionals, including architects, builders, surveyors, and structural engineers. It’s important to do your research and appoint people who have lots of experience in these types of building projects. That way, you'll have complete peace of mind.
Read about more about hiring professionals and who to use for your extension.
