Bifold or sliding doors: which works for your opening?

If you want to open a room up to the garden, it usually comes down to two choices: bifold doors or sliding doors. Both can transform a kitchen or an extension. They just do it in different ways.

Bifold doors: open the whole wall

Bifold doors are a set of panels that fold back on themselves and stack neatly at one or both ends. Open fully, almost the whole width of the opening is clear, so the inside and the garden become one space. That's their big advantage in summer.

Most sets include a "traffic door": a single panel that opens on its own, so you can nip out without folding back the whole set. When closed, you see a frame between each panel.

Sliding doors: bigger glass, cleaner view

Sliding doors have a few large panels that glide past each other on a track. They can't open the full width, because at least one panel stays in place, but with fewer, bigger panes and slimmer frames you get a clearer view of the garden all year round. They also don't need any room to fold into.

Things to weigh up

• How you'll use it: if the doors will be wide open all summer, bifolds give you the most clear space. If they'll mostly be closed, sliders give the better view.
• Space either side: bifolds need room to stack the folded panels, inside or out.
• The threshold: both can have a low threshold for a near-level step out. A fully flush finish needs the right drainage.
• Size and cost: price depends mostly on the width and the number of panels. On the same opening, the two are often closer in price than people expect.

Not sure which suits your opening?

We'll survey it with you, show you both options and give you a written price. See bifold doors and patio and French doors for more on the doors we fit.