When it comes to choosing a patio door for your home, there are several types to choose from, including French doors, sliding doors and bi-fold doors. While all these options will help to enhance your living space, there are some fundamental differences between them, including their cost.
In this article, we will compare the cost of sliding doors to other door systems and examine the factors that can impact on their cost. This will help you to choose the right type of door for your home and budget.
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Learn more about the factors that can have an impact on the cost of your sliding doors.
Find out more about how bi-fold doors and sliding doors compare when it comes to cost.
Find out more about how the costs of sliding doors and French doors compare.
Find the answers to the commonly asked questions about sliding doors and their costs.
What can impact the cost of sliding doors?
The cost of a sliding door system can vary considerably depending on the system installed, the number of panels required, the material they are made from, the type of glazing used, the colour, finish and the complexity of the installation.
Here is a quick overview of the factors to consider:
Material
The material the doors are made from is one of the biggest factors that can affect the cost. There are several options to choose from, but the three most popular are timber, aluminium and uPVC.
- Timber – Timber doors offer a beautiful aesthetic to a home, and work well in period properties. However, they are often expensive, require more maintenance than other materials and, if not maintained, can be become draughty and will expand and contract which will lessen their thermal efficiency.
- uPVC – this type of door is the most cost-effective option. uPVC doors are also easy to maintain, offer insulating properties and can be supplied in a range of colours. The key downside is they are typically only available in standard sizes and they have a budget appearance. They are also prone to twisting, discolouring and losing their alignment which will affect operation.
- Aluminium – Aluminium doors are sleek, lightweight, incredibly strong and offer the best security and the slimmest sightlines. Aluminium is typically more expensive than uPVC but less expensive than the likes of timber and steel. Because of its innate strength, it can offer slim sightlines with large maximum panel sizes, and offers long durability. Aluminium is powder coated, so offers a wide variety of colour choices.
System
The system used to operate the doors can also impact how much they will cost. There are endless options available, but the most popular are inline sliding doors and lift and slide doors. You can learn more about the differences between the two by reading our guide.
Often, manufacturers will also offer different systems – these will have different sightline options, glass options and aesthetics.
Door size
The size of the door required is also a factor to consider. ‘Standard sized’ doors are the lowest cost option and can be bought off the shelf. Having a bespoke door designed to your own specifications can cost more, so this is something to consider when thinking about improving your home.
At Origin, all of our Sliding Doors are custom-made to suit your specifications, and the costs will differ on your local installer.
Configuration
One of the main advantages of sliding doors is that they can be configured in a number of different ways. Larger configurations or more complicated configurations can add to the cost of the product and installation.
Colours
Origin’s sliding door systems can be supplied in a range of RAL colours, with the most popular available with fast lead times (as little as 1-week). You may have to pay extra or wait longer for more unusual colours.
Installer or manufacturer
The installer or manufacturer you choose can have an impact on the cost of your sliding doors. It’s important to make sure you’re buying from a high quality manufacturer that uses the best materials and a rigorous testing process to make sure the doors will be long lasting and durable.
In addition, different installers will charge different amounts to install your doors. Make sure you find an installer who is trained and knowledgeable in the doors they’re installing. Also be sure to check out the warranty they are offering on the installation, as they will be the one required to undertake any remedial work.
At Origin, our Sliding Doors are checked and tested at every stage of the manufacturing process to make sure our doors meet high standards and regulations. In addition, we have a trained network of installers who work alongside our team to ensure they’re able to specify and install Origin Sliding Doors properly and to meet your needs.
Bi-fold doors vs sliding doors cost
It’s difficult to provide an exact cost for sliding doors or bi-fold doors as the cost depends on so many different factors including:
Installation costs – the installation costs for bi-fold or sliding doors can vary depending on the size of the doors and whether you’re replacing existing doors or if it’s going into a new aperture.
Delivery costs – A large sliding door with triple glazing will not only be more expensive to buy initially, but it can also cost more to deliver. In some cases, specialist delivery vehicles will be required, so these should be factored into the overall cost of your doors.
Glazing costs – the type of glazing you choose can also affect the cost of your doors. On the OS-20, this is available with the option of laminated, toughened or reflective glass, and on the OS-29/ OS-44 and OS-77, your installer will source the glass based on your requirements.
Size of aperture – if you require a bigger door, it will cost more to manufacture. Origin’s range of Bi-fold and Sliding Doors are bespoke, so are tailored to meet your specific needs so you can configure your door exactly the way you want.
Cost of sliding doors vs French doors
Traditional French Doors are typically the cheapest option for patio doors when compared to sliding doors, but they do not offer the same huge glass expanses and subsequent natural light.
They cost less than sliding doors because there’s a smaller expanse of space. French doors are 2 doors that traditionally take up a smaller space than sliding doors. This means less material and less glass is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bi-fold doors vs sliding doors: which is better?
Both of these doors have a huge number of benefits. Bi-fold doors can be completely folded away to the side, leaving the aperture completely open when the doors are folded back. Sliding doors provide a much slimmer profile, but as the opening happens on one track, they can only slide behind each other. This means that at least one pane is always visible when the doors are open.
How much does it cost to install a sliding patio door?
This is almost impossible to answer. The cost of installation will depend on several factors, including the size of the door, the material it’s made from, the type of glazing used, the finish required and the installer you choose.
What are the advantages of exterior sliding doors?
Exterior sliding doors have a slim door frame that allows plenty of light into your home. At Origin, our OS-20 Artisan Sliding Door and OS-29 Patio Sliding Door offer some of the slimmest sightlines on the market (20mm and 29mm respectively).
What different materials can a sliding door be made from and do these vary in cost?
Sliding doors can be made from a wide range of materials, but the most common are aluminium, timber and uPVC. Timber is typically the most expensive, followed by aluminium and uPVC. However, aluminium is the strongest material available for sliding doors, and at Origin, manufacturing aluminium sliding doors allows us to offer a guarantee of up to 20 years because it’s a highly durable material.
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