Installing new patio doors can have a big impact on the appearance and functionality of your home, especially if you spend a lot of time in your garden. These doors will help connect the inside to the outside and improve the flow of your living spaces.
When browsing the market, homeowners will often wonder whether sliding doors, French doors or bi-fold doors will be best-suited to their home. Each option has its own benefits and considerations, which can make the decision more complicated. Thankfully, no matter which type of patio door you choose, it can be tailored to your exact requirements. In this guide, we have explored the differences between all three of these options to help you decide which is the right choice for your home.
Sliding Patio Doors
Sliding doors are designed with large panes of glass that move along a horizontal axis. They are known for being space-saving as they don’t need a swinging arc, making them ideal for smaller living spaces or rooms where furniture placement might impact the type of door you can install.
Depending on the size of the opening, you can choose from different configurations, including two, three, or more sashes, as well as their sliding arrangement. They are available in both uPVC and aluminium, with both double and triple glazing for improved insulation, and can be customised with a wide range of colour options and hardware.
French Patio Doors
French doors are a timeless choice that works in both traditional and modern homes. They typically feature two doors that open outwards, letting in plenty of natural light. In some configurations, you can opt for a “flying mullion”, so when both doors are open, there is a completely unobstructed view and unhindered entrance.
These patio doors are a popular choice for garden-facing rooms and are also available in uPVC or aluminium, with multiple glazing options to improve energy efficiency. For a cohesive appearance, colour-matched handles are available, and multi point locking mechanisms will provide peace of mind. French doors are particularly beneficial for smaller openings where bi-folds or large sliding systems may not be suitable.
Bi-Fold Patio Doors
Bi-fold doors are an eye-catching solution to connect your home and garden. Designed with multiple panels that concertina and fold away neatly, they create a wide opening. They are perfect for enjoying panoramic views and can help create the ideal entertaining space.
Nowadays, bi-fold door systems are usually made of aluminium, making them sleek and lightweight, so they’re straightforward to open and close. They’re available in various panel configurations to suit different-sized openings, and you can choose whether they stack to the left, right, or split, depending on your space. Similarly to the other two options, they’re fully customisable with a wide choice of colours, handles, and glazing options.
Tailoring Your Patio Doors to Your Home
When you’re replacing the exterior doors in your home, no matter which style you prefer, all of these patio door options can be fully tailored to your needs. You can choose:
- Materials – Aluminium, uPVC and composite materials are available, each offering unique advantages.
- Configurations – From simple two-panel designs to multi-panel bi-folds or wide sliding arrangements.
- Glazing – Double-glazed units and triple-glazed units are available, offering impressive insulation, noise control and security.
- Colour and finishes – From bold colours to neutral tones, as well as finishes to mimic natural timber, there’s a solution for every home.
- Handles – Personalise the look and feel of the doors with contemporary or traditional hardware designs.
This means whether you love the clean lines and anthracite grey of aluminium sliding doors, the traditional elegance of French doors with decorative handles, or the open-plan flexibility of bi-fold doors that split in the middle, you can design a solution that perfectly fits your home.
Which Patio Door Is Right for You?
There are lots of factors to consider when choosing between sliding, French and bi-fold doors, from the size of your space to your style preferences. Hopefully, the information above will help you decide which option is right for your home, family and lifestyle, creating the perfect indoor-outdoor flow.
At The Best Window & Door Company, we offer a wide range of bespoke patio doors in Lincolnshire, including uPVC and aluminium sliding doors, French doors and bi-fold doors. We pride ourselves on the quality of our products and offer a 25-year guarantee for all new doors. If you have any questions or you’d like to discuss your home improvement project in more detail, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team today.
