5 things to consider when choosing bifold or sliding doors
During spring, homeowners often consider upgrades such as patio doors or bifolds to invite more natural light and enjoy the milder weather indoors.
Undecided about which of these doors is best for you? Not to worry. We have done the hard work on your behalf and showcased the top five features of each in a short video below, putting sliding doors vs bifold doors to the test.
Give it a watch and in just two minutes, it will become clear what door you should buy.
These versatile door options also provide a stylish transition to the garden or patio, with their wide openings appreciated for their functionality and aesthetic appeal.
The challenge of sliding doors vs bifold doors lies in the shared assets of the two options, as each door system boasts advanced materials for exceptional energy efficiency, contemporary aesthetics, and slender sightlines. Both have so much to offer.
1. Outside view when closed
Bifolding doors: 4/5 Sliding doors: 5/5
In general, the sliding door system features slightly larger glass panels with minimal frame obstruction, optimising the view outside.
While a two-pane sliding door is the typical selection, we can expand this to include up to four clear glass panes if your wall space allows for a broader installation.
However, it’s worth noting that bifold doors don’t significantly obstruct your view when closed, especially with their narrow aluminium profile. Our offerings range from 2 to 7 pane configurations, ensuring flexibility while maintaining visibility.
2. Outside view when open
Bifolding doors: 5/5 Sliding doors: 4/5
Bifold doors have a slight edge in this aspect because when unlocked and pushed aside, their accordion-like folding mechanism enables you to completely eliminate a barrier, leaving nothing but a wide, unobstructed opening to immerse yourself in the outdoor surroundings.
While the view from an open sliding door isn’t restrictive, despite its absence of folding sashes, the panels smoothly slide behind one another. However, the uninterrupted view is slightly more pronounced with bifold doors.
3. Accessibility
Bifolding doors: 5/5 Sliding doors: 4/5
Bifolding doors offer unobstructed access when you’re eager to step out of your house, with the panelled sections neatly stacking away on the exterior rather than intruding inside.
On the other hand, a sliding door features a fixed frame, which might deter those seeking frame-free accessibility. Nonetheless, the opening is ample enough to allow for easy movement between spaces.
4. Configuration options
Bifolding doors: 4/5 Sliding doors: 3/5
Given the varied layouts of homes, a one-size-fits-all solution for bifold or sliding doors isn’t practical; customisation is necessary to seamlessly integrate these products.
Bifold doors offer extensive customisation, ranging from a minimum of two panels to a maximum of seven. Additionally, you can opt for a passenger door (also known as a traffic door), which operates independently from the rest of the design.
While a two, three, or four-section sliding door provides ample configuration opportunities, offering choices in colours, opening and closing directions, hardware, and more, akin to bifold doors.
5. Space saving
Bifolding doors: 4/5 Sliding doors: 5/5
Your property’s size may influence your choice of door feature.
In compact homes where space is at a premium, sliding doors offer a favourable space-saving solution. Their lateral movement from left to right, or vice versa, avoids encroaching on essential internal or external space.
In contrast, bifold doors require some space allocation on either side of the low threshold when the panels fold and group together, which might be less ideal for smaller residences.
At a glance bifold vs sliding doors
As evident from the comparison, both options are closely matched, with no significant downsides or disadvantages.
Bi-Folding Doors
Sliding Doors
Outside view when closed
Bi-Folding Doors
Sliding Doors
Outside view when open
Bi-Folding Doors
Sliding Doors
Accessibility
Bi-Folding Doors
Sliding Doors
Configuration
Bi-Folding Doors
Sliding Doors
Space saving
Bi-Folding Doors
Sliding Doors
Which option reigns supreme: bifold doors or sliding doors?
At Clearview, we hesitate to declare a clear winner because it truly depends on your priorities, with affordability also playing a role in your decision-making process.
The ultimate test comes when you visit our showroom to experience both options firsthand. Here, we’ll address common questions, such as whether bifold doors are more expensive than sliding doors, helping you make an informed decision based on your preferences and needs.
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