Are Bi-Fold Doors Worth it? We Break it Down

Bi-fold doors are a popular choice for homeowners looking to add wide openings and a clean and contemporary aesthetic while offering seamless indoor-outdoor functionality. But that doesn’t mean they’re worth it for everyone. Making the investment will come down to your budget, available space, desired appearance, energy efficiency goals and how you want to connect your indoor and outdoor areas.

This guide breaks down the benefits bi-fold doors offer and helps you determine whether this door system is worth it for your home and lifestyle.

What Are Bi-Fold Doors?

Bi-fold doors are a popular door system found in UK homes and are made up of multiple connected panels that fold and slide to one side or both sides. The concertina-like design means bi-fold doors can provide very wide openings spanning an entire wall of a room, creating a seamless connection between the inside of your home and your outdoor space.

What Are The Benefits Of Bi-Fold Doors?

Thanks to the unique design and functionality, bi-fold doors offer several benefits that other types of doors simply can’t. This has made them a very popular choice for extensions, renovations and other types of home improvements.

Create A Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Connection

Bi-fold doors can open up a large proportion of a wall to create a stronger connection between internal living areas and gardens, patios or terraces. If you’re the type of person that loves the feeling of openness and enjoys a nice breeze rolling through the home, bi-fold doors are definitely worth it in this regard.

Bring More Natural Light Into Your Home

Bi-fold doors feature slim frames and expansive glazing, helping to bring more natural light into a home. Whether the doors are open or closed, light can flood a room and help make it feel brighter and more open. The large glass panes also help days feel longer during the winter periods when the sun sets earlier.

Open Up Your Living Space

Swing doors require clearance space to open, either inwards or outwards. On the other hand, bi-fold doors work by stacking panels together to create a wider opening, requiring far less floor space.

This allows you to arrange furniture more freely, both inside and in the garden, and make better use of your living space. It’s particularly good for smaller spaces where swing doors would take up significant space compared to bi-fold doors, occupying around 10-15% of space when fully opened.

Flexible Opening Options

Bi-fold doors come in a range of opening configurations. This allows homeowners more flexibility and a configuration that suits their space and lifestyle needs. For instance, access doors can be opened individually, or multiple can open together, rather than just having to fully open the entire bi-fold system.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Bi-Fold Doors?

To gain a true understanding of whether bi-fold doors are worth it for you and your home, you need to know about the door system’s drawbacks.

• Higher cost: Bi-fold doors can be more expensive to buy and install than standard patio or French doors.
• Need space to fold: While still not as restrictive as swing doors, bi-fold systems still require some space to stack the panels together when open.
• More moving parts: Hinges, rollers and tracks can require maintenance and may wear over time.
• Threshold considerations: Some systems have raised tracks or thresholds that can create a small trip hazard or affect accessibility.
• Installation needs to be precise: Poor fitting can lead to sticking doors, draughts, water ingress or alignment problems.
• Structural work may be required: Installing wide bi-fold doors into an existing wall can require a new lintel or steel support, increasing the overall project cost.
• Can be heavy to operate: Larger bi-fold door systems may require more effort to open and close.

How Much Do Bi-Fold Doors Cost?

This depends on several factors. The cost of a bi-fold door is typically more expensive than other door systems due to the extra components, glazing, size of the system and extra labour for any structural alterations and installation.

In the UK, bi-fold doors can typically cost anywhere between £2,000 and £7,000+, with more panels resulting in a higher price. Certain materials for the frames will cost more than others too. UPVC is the most budget-friendly option, while aluminium offers a good middle ground and timber is often the most expensive choice.

You don’t always have to buy brand-new bi-fold doors either. For budget-conscious homeowners, choosing pre-owned bi-fold doors will help you save, but it’s still important to get them professionally fitted to reduce the risk of short- and long-term issues.

Are Bi-Fold Doors Energy Efficient?

A common misconception about bi-fold doors is that they let too much heat out and aren’t that energy efficient. This might have been the case for older systems, but modern bi-fold doors provide excellent insulation, thanks to high-performance glass and the multiple-chamber design in the frames that trap air.

Glazing technology has come a long way too. Double- or triple-glazing, argon gas-filled panes and low-emissivity coatings all work together to reduce heat loss through the glass and help your home achieve a strong U-value.

Do Bi-Fold Doors Add Value To A Home?

Investing in a bi-fold door system for your home is a worthwhile one, as it can add value to the home. Attractive, well-installed bi-fold doors can improve a property’s appeal by increasing natural light and garden connectivity, and while most commonly found in contemporary homes, traditional and heritage-style designs can add value to older properties as well.

Bi-Fold Doors Vs Sliding Doors: Which Is Better?

Sliding doors are another popular option homeowners choose. Bi-fold and sliding doors can both create a strong connection between your home and garden, but they work in different ways. The better option will depend on your available space, budget and what you want from the finished installation.

• Opening size: Bi-fold doors can fold almost entirely to one side, creating a much wider opening. Sliding doors usually leave at least one panel in place, so the opening is more limited.
• Sightlines: Sliding doors typically use larger panes of glass with fewer frames, giving you clearer views when the doors are closed. Bi-fold doors have more vertical frames between each panel.
• Operation: Bi-fold doors fold and stack as they open, while sliding doors move horizontally along a track. Sliding doors can be simpler to open for everyday access, particularly with larger door systems.
• Space requirements: Sliding doors do not need additional space inside or outside the property to open. Bi-fold panels need enough room to fold and stack at one or both ends.
• Appearance: Sliding doors tend to provide a more minimal, contemporary appearance, while bi-fold doors can create a dramatic open-plan feel when fully opened.
• Cost: Prices vary depending on the size, material, glazing and specification, but bi-fold doors can be more expensive because they use multiple panels, hinges and moving components.

What Should You Look For When Buying Bi-Fold Doors?

• Worth it if you want a wide opening: Bi-fold doors are ideal for opening up a room to the garden or patio.
• Great for entertaining: They can create a more seamless indoor-outdoor space when fully opened.
• Consider the space available: Bi-fold panels need some room to fold and stack when opened.
• Budget matters: They can cost more than some other patio door options due to the additional panels and hardware. Pre-owned doors help reduce costs.
• Best for the right property: They tend to work well in extensions, open-plan living spaces and homes with good access to outdoor areas.

Overall, bi-fold doors can be worth the investment if a large opening and flexible access are more important to you than minimal frames or the lowest possible cost.

Explore Our Range of Bi-fold Doors

At Green Doors, we sell a wide range of new and pre-loved bi-fold doors, made from materials like uPVC, aluminium and timber. Our range spans different sizes, colours, glazing options and number of panels. We guarantee to have a bi-fold door to suit your property, lifestyle and budget perfectly.

Get in touch with us to discuss an option you’re interested in or for any assistance on your order.

Frequently Asked Questions