Should I choose Bifold doors or French doors?

When deciding between Bifold or French doors, it’s not just about the look or lifestyle you want, there are some practical considerations too. 

Opening up your home to the garden: Bifolds have open right back giving you a wide access to your garden. French doors only open to the width of the doors themselves but they still allow you to flood your home with light. 

Think about your patio space: Bifolds sit at right angles to the wall when they’re open which can use up patio space. French doors don’t open up the entire space but they can be pushed right back against your house giving you full access to your patio. 

How will you use the doors in the colder months? If you go for Bifolds, think about the configuration of the doors and how you’ll use them in winter. Do you want a double or a single opening door that you can use when the rest of the bifold is closed?

Where do you want the access? Do you want access through the middle of the space or at the side? Bifolds tend to open completely to one side, with a side door. It is possible to have two bifolds so they open in the middle but it’s unusual. If you want to use the centre of the space, French doors might be a better solution. 

Think about how you’ll use the space. We find that from a social point of view, Bifolds work well in a kitchen/dining room to make a big social space with the garden. French doors can work better in a living room as it’s a social space in its own right. While it doesn’t need to be extended into the garden it benefits from the light, air and access of French doors.

The design. Bifolds are often considered more contemporary than French doors,s but we offer the same design options with both solutions. We’ve even installed Bifolds and French doors alongside each other. If you like a particular look, then there’s no reason not to have it. And if you have a more traditional home, it’s possible to incorporate traditional panels, glazing bars and other detail to make a modern door look like a period feature. 

• Adding a feature panel to the lower third of the door can give you a warmer feel when the doors are closed. 
• Full height glass brings the feel of the garden into your home. 
• Glazing bars add traditional character but think about where you position them so they’re not in your eyeline. For taller doors, think about having glazing bars at the top of the door only to add a classic feel. 
• If French doors suit your home better but you want the light Bifolds offer, think about having glazed panels either side of the door. 

Ease of use – French doors operate like normal doors. Bifolds are hung from the top so they slide easily – They concertina across the space so you need to keep the patio free for them to operate. 

Security – Both styles of door feature the same high security multi-point locks, and both feature the same combination of toughened safety glass and laminated security glass.

Maintenance – Both French doors and Bifold doors are very low maintenance. Because of the way they operate, the hanging system on Bifolds can sometimes need some minor adjustment but this is easy to do and the only tool required is an allen key or screwdriver.

Take a look at our Bifolds and our French doors for inspiration – we design our doors exactly to your requirements and your style to show your home off to its best and to maximise your enjoyment of your space.