Aluminium vs uPVC Bifold Doors: Which Should You Choose?

Bi-fold doors are a great choice many homeowners pick when looking to upgrade their properties. Bi-fold doors offer great thermal efficiency, create wide openings and are a visually appealing choice if you’re looking to add to your home’s value.

Aluminium, wood and uPVC are all options to pick for bi-fold doors, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to consider both options before jumping straight to a purchase, as each will have a different cost, energy performance, maintenance requirements and life expectancy.

At Green Doors, we sell both types of bi-fold doors and are here to help you decide which material to choose.

What Are Bi-fold Doors?

Bi-fold doors are doors that operate on a folding track system, like a concertina, with multiple panels folding together and stack neatly against the wall. Often made from either aluminium or uPVC, bi-fold doors effortlessly connect interior and outdoor spaces, typically used for patio areas and feature a sleek design that maximises natural light.

Aluminium vs uPVC Bi-fold Doors at a Glance

Aluminium Bi-fold Doors: Pros and Cons

Advantages of Aluminium Bi-fold Doors

Homeowners choose aluminium for their bi-fold doors as the material provides many different benefits.

• Wide choice of colours – aluminium bi-fold doors can be powder coated in a plethora of colours to suit your home and preferences.
• Durable – aluminium is incredibly strong and durable, and can withstand harsh weather, cracking, warping and fading, making it very low maintenance.
• Sleek sightlines – aluminium bi-fold doors feature slim frames for a contemporary appearance, creating clean, uninterrupted sightlines both inside and out. The reduced frame profile also maximises the glass area, allowing more natural light to flood into the home while providing wider, clearer views of the garden or outdoor space.
• Energy efficient – thermally broken aluminium frames offer amazing energy efficiency and thermal performance.
• Lightweight – aluminium is very lightweight, making opening and closing bi-fold doors that much easier.

Disadvantages of Aluminium Bi-fold Doors

While aluminium bi-folds offer great advantages, you need to consider these drawbacks to make an informed decision.

• High cost – aluminium bi-fold doors will come with a higher initial price point, compared to uPVC or alternative materials like timber.
• Thermal conductivity – if not thermally broken, aluminium will conduct heat and the cold, meaning poorer insulation and heat loss.
• Suitability – while incredibly durable, if not properly finished, aluminium bi-folds can corrode in coastal areas due to high salt levels.

uPVC Bi-fold Doors: Pros and Cons

Advantages of uPVC Bi-fold Doors

Bi-fold doors made from uPVC offer homeowners several advantages.

• Cost effective – people choose uPVC doors because they have a lower price point compared to aluminium. The uPVC bi-fold doors will work exactly the same, but it is less expensive to produce and can easily be mass-produced.
• Great soundproofing – uPVC bi-fold doors offer better sound insulation thanks to the multi-chambered design and tight seals.
• Thermal performance – they are designed for improved insulation and thermal performance, helping to reduce your energy consumption and provide stable indoor temperatures.
• Low maintenance – uPVC bi-fold doors require simple cleans periodically to keep them performing and looking like new.

Disadvantages of uPVC Bi-fold Doors

While uPVC offers plenty of advantages, it’s not always the perfect choice for every home.

• Fewer colour options – while several colours are available, uPVC bi-fold doors offer far fewer custom options compared to aluminium.
• Not as strong – although highly secure and durable, uPVC is not as strong as aluminium and is not appropriate for heavy use and can be damaged easily with enough force.
• Risk of yellowing – uPVC can discolour when exposed to strong UV rays and sunlight, which will require additional maintenance if this occurs.

Aluminium vs uPVC Bi-fold Doors: Detailed Comparison

Price & Affordability

If you’re after bi-fold doors that are on the cheaper end of the scale, uPVC bi-fold doors are the more budget-friendly option. You’ll still get a solid performance, but the initial investment will be far lower compared to aluminium.

Aluminium sits on the premium end of the market, as the higher price reflects its strength, longevity and sleek, modern finish. Plus, the extended lifespan and durability of aluminium bi-folds only add to their overall value.

Durability & Lifespan

Aluminium is widely regarded as the more durable material. It’s resistant to warping, corrosion (unless used in coastal environments) and weather damage, and with proper care aluminum bi-fold doors can last more than 50 years.

UPVC is still durable and resistant to rot and rust, but it’s less rigid, and over time it may expand and contract in extreme temperatures.

Energy Efficiency

Both aluminium and uPVC bi-fold doors provide very good insulation, especially when paired with double or triple glazing. UPVC has natural insulating properties, and provides amazing thermal efficiency, keeping the cold out and heat in.

Modern aluminium bi-folds use thermal break technology to improve insulation and match the natural performance of uPVC. Both options can make your home more energy efficient and comfortable.

Security

There is no clear winner between aluminium vs uPVC bi-fold doors when it comes to security. Yes, aluminium is stronger and more durable, meaning forced entry is even more difficult, but both aluminium and uPVC doors can be fitted with quality locking systems and toughened glazing. Both options can feature robust hinges and multi-point locking systems, providing elevated security for your home.

Aesthetics & Design Options

Homeowners choose aluminium bi-fold doors because they offer almost endless possibilities for colour and can be finished in a variety of styles. Aluminium also offers slimmer frames and larger glass panels, creating a sleek look with more natural light.

While less choice for colour and thicker frames, uPVC can be finished with wood effects to suit more traditional homes, but most uPVC bi-fold doors often feature the standard white framing, and will generally have smaller glass panels compared to aluminium doors.

While uPVC is limited in aesthetics, both types of bi-fold doors are a great idea if you’re after a door that opens up your space and provides great energy efficiency.

Maintenance Requirements

Both aluminium and uPVC bi-fold doors require little maintenance, with aluminium winning this battle thanks to being corrosion resistant and the frames won’t fade. Aluminium won’t require resealing or repainting, but uPVC will need periodic maintenance to avoid fading and yellowing.

But, if you do live in harsher environments, such as by the sea, aluminium doors are much more susceptible to damage, so uPVC might be the better option in this situation.

Which Is Cheaper: Aluminium or uPVC Bi-fold Doors?

Ultimately, uPVC bi-fold doors will always be more affordable than aluminium ones. This is because uPVC is cheaper to manufacture, even though more material is used for the frames compared to aluminium, which requires lots of energy to mine and process. As uPVC can be manufactured on a mass scale compared to aluminium, the savings can be passed onto consumers looking for new doors.

While you can go for a brand-new bi-fold door system, Green Doors helps you save even further with our range of brand-new surplus stock & preowned bi-fold door options.

Are Premade Bi-fold Doors Available in Aluminium and uPVC?

Absolutely! You can purchase premade bi-fold doors that are made from aluminium or uPVC right from Green Doors. Compared to the RRP (Recommended Retail Price), our collection costs significantly less and saves many buyers hundreds, if not thousands of pounds.

You might be weary of buying premade bi-fold doors, but our stock is all quality checked and will arrive exactly as advertised. Save even more on your bi-fold door purchase by choosing premade aluminium or uPVC options with Green Doors.

Benefits of Choosing Premade Options

• Lower upfront cost – more affordable than bespoke designs, especially for uPVC systems.
• Faster lead times – already manufactured to standard sizes, making delivery and installation much quicker.
• Proven designs – tried-and-tested preconfigured doors reduce the risk of design or performance issues.
• Easier installation – standard sizing and components make fitting more straightforward, saving on labour costs. With our solutions, many of the components already come put together.
• Reliable quality control – we ensure that everything is there with your order, meaning that no essential parts are missing.
• Energy-efficient performance – when you order products from us that include bespoke glass, they come with thermal ratings, and for uPVC or aluminium options they have a 10-year warranty.
• Good range of styles – a solid selection of colours, finishes and configurations. 

Which Bi-fold Door Material Is Best for Your Home?

Best for Budget Buyers

If you are conscious about the initial investment, uPVC bi-fold doors are your best option, as they will have a far lower initial cost. However, while more expensive, aluminium is more durable, requires less maintenance and has a longer lifespan.

Some consider the longevity of aluminium bi-fold doors to trump the initial cost. Always think about expenses in the long term, like maintenance or repairs, as well as the initial amount coming out of your bank account.

Best for Modern Homes

Aluminium bi-fold doors can be customised in a wide range of colours and offer sleeker frames, which often suits homeowners looking for a modern aesthetic. The thicker frames and less custom options of uPVC bi-fold doors may not complement the other modern visuals of your home, and many choose wooden textures using uPVC if their home is more traditional.

Best for Large Openings

Both options are great for patio areas and opening up the home. However, aluminium takes the victory in this regard, as the slimmer frames allow larger glass panels. This opens up the home further when the doors are either opened or closed, allowing lots of natural light to enter the home and provide unobstructed views.

Best for Long-Term Value

Aluminium bi-fold doors will last longer than uPVC alternatives, and the modern aesthetics and strength adds far more kerb appeal. While uPVC doors can last for decades, it takes consistent maintenance and care, and they are more prone to fading and warping which will ultimately affect their value over time.

Explore Premade & New Bi-fold Doors Today

Aluminium vs uPVC bi-fold doors has been a heated debate for many years, and the material selection for homeowners is not something you should overlook. At Green Doors, we have both options at a fraction of the price of brand-new doors. Before making a decision, consider initial price, maintenance requirements, aesthetics and lifespan.

Our team at Green Doors is more than happy to advise you on the perfect decision based on your requirements. We also supply a range of premade and preloved sliding doors, French doors, windows and options for front doors and back doors for your home.

Any support you need in your purchase, don’t hesitate to get in touch on 01582 34 35 34 or email sales@greendoors.co.uk.

Frequently Asked Questions