Sliding Doors vs Bi-Fold Doors: What should I choose?
Sliding Doors vs Bi-Fold Doors: Which is best for your project?
Choosing between an aluminium sliding door and an aluminium bi-folding door is a common conundrum for homeowners across Devon and Cornwall looking to renovate their properties.
With many home extensions or renovations designed to add more natural light and blur the distinction between indoor and outdoor living, these are two common additions that owners look to make.
Your decision to choose between bi-folding door and a sliding door is likely to be determined by your style, space and budget.
In this helpful guide, we’ll compare the two and explore which option could be best for you.
What is an Aluminium Sliding Door?
Sliding doors run on a track, either mono rail, duo rail or triple rail, depending on the configuration of your doors.
The doors will either slide to the left or the right, with the panes sitting behind each other. Hidden pocket versions allow the sliding door to be inserted into the wall to create a completely open wall.
Many sliding door systems are also available as a lift and slide door. The lift and slide mechanism lifts the door onto wheels when the handle is turned, making for effortless openings of large panes of glass.
Sliding doors do not take up any additional room within your home, unlike a bi-folding door. When opened, they simply slide back on their track.
Pros of a Sliding Door
- Minimal visible framework to maximise external views
- Easy to operate
- Saves space compared to a bi-fold door
Cons of a Sliding Door
- Bi-fold doors can offer quicker access out with a lead door.
- Depending on your preferred system, they can be the more expensive choice
What is a Bi-Folding Door?
Bi-folding doors, also known as folding sliding doors, are doors which concertina together when opened.
These doors can either open inwards or outwards, depending on the available space. When opened, it completely opens up the room to the outside.
Choosing the right bi-fold or sliding door for your property is important, not only to create the wow factor but also in terms of how you will use the door.
Both options allow you to open wide apertures of your home to the outside and flood your home with light, but which option is right for you?
Pros of a Bi-Fold Door
- A desirable item that adds property value
- Create uninterrupted views when opened completely
- Lightweight and easy to operate
- Suitable for small or large openings
Cons of a Bi-Fold Door
- Their large number of panes can hinder external views
- More space is required to allow for room for the panels to stack together once open
Which offers the best view?
One of the main attractions of a bi-fold or a sliding door is to maximise your external views, whether that’s a countryside farm, overlooking the sea or just a beautifully landscaped garden.
Depending on the size available, sliding doors allow for minimal distribution. Slim sightlines will frame your outside views with large expansive panes of glass.
A bi-fold door can offer equally impressive views, but as a result of the multiple panes, your views will be impacted more.
When a bi-fold door is closed, it has more profile on show and once opened, the door will concertina to one side.
Space
The space you have available within your project could dictate whether or not you can choose a bi-fold or sliding door.
The panes of a sliding door stack on top of one another, so they don’t take up additional space inside or outside when they’re opened.
Bi-folding doors need space to be opened and stored while open, so they can be a less practical option where space is at a premium.
Configurations
Both bi-folding and sliding doors allow for multiple configurations depending on your requirements.
Our Aluna Slider sliding door is available in market-leading sash sizes of up to 2.5m x 2.7m per sash, with selected bi-fold doors reaching heights of 2.5m.
Both bi-folding and sliding doors allow for a low threshold option, meaning they are great options where accessibility factors have to be considered.
Double or Triple Glazing
Both bi-folding and sliding doors are available with double or triple glazing. Contact our sales team to learn more about the thermal efficiency of our sliding doors and bi-fold doors.
Ventilation
Lift and slide doors can be opened a little and locked back into place to allow ventilation while keeping the room secure. With a bi-folding door, a whole panel has to be opened.
Summary: Sliding Doors vs Bi-Fold Doors
In summary, it depends on what your personal preference, style and budget it. Your decision could also be dictated by the demands of your project.
Both make for fantastic additions to any renovation project or new build home. They offer seamless transitions between your indoor and outdoor spaces.
To truly maximise the views of your outside space, a sliding door might be the better choice for you. If you would like a more flexible, versatile door system that offers similar benefits, it could be a bi-folding door you choose.
We have both bi-fold and sliding doors on display in our Exeter showroom. Open to members of the public and trade professionals, Monday to Friday.
Pop by and compare the products for yourself to get a feel for which product would work best for your space.
We would recommend visiting a showroom and speaking with an expert to experience the two types of doors for yourself before making your decision. Or speak with our sales team, who will be able to help guide you with your decision.
