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Bi-fold Doors vs French Doors vs Sliding Doors
12th May 2022 Bi-fold, French and sliding doors are ever popular choices for connecting a property’s interior with the outside. They also offer a better viewpoint of the garden as opposed to windows. But having decided you want garden doors as part of your property design, which ones are best – bi-fold, French or sliding doors?
Read on to learn the benefits and key considerations for each type of garden door, along with why you should trust Alimax for your stylish, custom-made aluminium bi-fold and sliding doors.
Bi-fold doors: Benefits and considerations
Are bi-fold doors the right choice over French or sliding doors?
What are bi-folding doors?
Bi-fold doors opens by folding in each section or panel back in a concertina-like fashion to provide a room entrance.
Benefits of bi-fold doors
Natural light exposure
Bi-fold doors allow for natural light exposure into your home whether open or closed, allowing you to turn a dark room into a bright space that you want to spend time in.
Flexibility
As they can open into or out of a room, and can be folded to the left or right, bi-fold doors are far more flexible than a normal door.
Security
Bi-fold doors offer multi-point locking systems, internally beaded frames and high-security hinges offering more security than other doors which tend to have just one locking point.
Considerations of bi-fold doors
Access restrictions
You should consider installing a lead traffic door to accommodate potential access restrictions to the outside resulting from the bi-fold door’s inherent style.
Obstructed view
The view of the outdoors can be obstructed if there are too many door panels to fold in.
Extra space needed
You should also account for additional space needed due to the stacking of the doors when concertinaed.
Sliding doors: benefits and considerations
Are sliding doors the right choice over bi-fold or French doors?
What are sliding doors?
Sliding doors are glass window openings in a structure that provide a door access from a room to the outdoors.
Benefits of sliding doors
Unobstructed views
The full glass features allow for unobstructed views of your outside landscape, regardless of whether your sliding doors are open or closed.
Take up less space
When compared to French or bi-fold doors, sliding doors typically occupy less space.
Simple, easy design
These doors are easy to use and operate thanks to the simplicity of its sliding design.
Considerations of sliding doors
Never fully open
Be aware that one panel will always have to be closed, so you can never fully open up your space to the outdoors.
Pricey
Depending on the sliding door system chosen, the price of sliding doors can cost comparatively more than other options.
Cleaning
As sliding doors feature large panes of glass they can accumulate dirt and grease quite easily. This means they will require frequent cleaning, which holds especially true for households that contain pets or children.
French doors: benefits and considerations
Are French doors the right choice over sliding or bi-fold doors?
What are French doors?
Typically fitted as a pair, French doors are a door of light construction which consist of glass panes extending for most of its length.
Benefits of French doors
Natural light exposure
French doors allow for natural light to enter your home regardless of whether they’re open or closed.
Durability
French doors are considered the most durable of the garden door options available.
Easy access
As arguably the most straightforward setup, French doors offer easy access in and out of your property.
Limitations of French doors
Additional space required
French doors are like conventional doors, so you will need to factor in space for when they swing open.
Cleaning
As French doors feature large panes of glass, they will require frequent cleaning to get rid of any built-up dirt or grease.
Prone to leakage
French doors are not weatherproof, but weather resistant. If they aren’t properly sealed, there’s potential for water leakages at the joining seam.
Door Comparison by Key Factors
We’ve created comparisons for each door type based on key criteria, which can be found in the tables below.
Property Suitability
Bi-fold doors
Typically seen in contemporary properties, but can also be adapted for traditional homes thanks to the variety of styles on offer.
Sliding doors
Can be adapted to suit your home’s specific style and specific windows thanks to frames that can be power coated in over 150 colours.
French doors
Better suited to older properties – can be adapted to more traditional features and smaller openings.
View
Bi-fold doors
When folded back, bi-fold doors offer a full and uninterrupted view, but the frames break up the view when closed.
Sliding doors
Offers the best uninterrupted view when closed, but cannot be opened up entirely as one door will always be visible.
French doors
As a French door only has two doors, it tends to offer a more restricted view.
Cost
Bi-fold doors
Varies depending on the chosen style.
Sliding doors
Varies depending on the chosen style.
French doors
Relatively more affordable option versus bi-fold or sliding doors.
Configuration
Bi-fold doors
Incredibly flexible – can open inwards and outwards and can be folded all in the same directions.
Sliding doors
Double or triple track configuration – can be opened depending on where you want the space, and do not need to be fully opened to access the outside.
French doors
Standard configuration – two doors hung to open outwards or inwards.
Threshold
Bi-fold doors
To prevent trip hazards, a level threshold can be achieved for straightforward access between inside and outside.
Sliding doors
Any trip hazards can be removed by a recessed track into the floor.
French doors
Weathered thresholds are available.
Choice of Material
Your chosen material can affect the look, functionality and lifespan of your preferred door type. The most popular materials are uPVC, aluminium and wood and we have provided the pros and cons for each below.
uPVC
- Versatile
- Effective insulator
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Can expand and contract in certain weather conditions
- Deteriorates faster than other materials
- Limited style options
Aluminium
- Resilient to expanding or contracting regardless of weather conditions
- Lightweight
- Low maintenance
- Strong, meaning thinner frames and slim sightlines for better views
- Excellent thermal insulation
- Typically pricier than other materials
Wood
- Style greatly suited for traditional properties
- Easy to repair
- Can expand or contract in certain weather conditions
- May warp over time
- Need more maintenance than other materials
Conclusion – which doors are best?
Ultimately, all bi-fold, French, and sliding doors have their benefits and considerations, and your best option largely depends on what your preferences are, along with your property’s suitability and your budget.
If you’re still unsure about which type of door is best for your design, then why not visit our impressive Alimax showroom? It’s based in our state-of-the-art factory in Hampshire, and we can demonstrate our fantastic range of garden doors so you can see what will work best for your property.
Trust Alimax to manufacturer and supply your aluminium doors
Alimax are a vastly experienced and knowledgeable manufacturer and supplier of custom-made and premium quality aluminium bi-fold doors and sliding doors, with a client portfolio spanning across the whole of Dorset and Hampshire.
We’d love to chat about your unique garden door requirements – why not get in touch via our contact webpage, or give us a call on 01425 205465.