Deciding between sliding doors vs. bi-fold doors can be tricky. For many people, it ultimately comes down to personal preference or budget. Both sets of doors go the extra mile to create a connection between inside and outside space. They provide lots of natural light and create a modern look.
However, sliding doors and bi-fold doors operate differently. Read on to see the comparison between the two.
The main difference between sliding doors and bi-fold doors
Bifold doors fold back against themselves, concertina-style. Typically, between two and seven panels are connected by hinges and run along a concealed track on the floor or ceiling or both. Whereas sliding doors tend to be made of two or more large panes of glass which slide sideways to the end of a frame. One key difference is a sliding door doesn’t project outwards whereas a bifold door will require space for the panels to be stacked to one side.
Open Space
The main advantage of bi-fold doors is they can be folded completely back, almost entirely opening one wall to your patio and garden. This can add the wow factor to your home with a flowing indoor-outdoor space. Conventional sliding doors, on the other hand, can usually only open to the left or right, only opening around 65%. If you have a suitable wall, the sliding doors can disappear into a wall cavity which would grant more space.
Access
If it is about access bi-fold doors can be more versatile. They open the whole space, or you can open one panel for everyday use. They are also better for creating a level threshold between outdoor and in so better suited to wheelchair users, and there is no lip for people to trip over.
Flexibility
Sliding doors offer greater control. They can be opened an inch for a light breeze, a couple of feet to nip outside or all the way to let the outside in. A ‘traffic door’ is an option worth considering if you opt for a bifold system, especially if it’s the only door out to the garden. This is one panel that opens and shuts like a regular door, so you can go outside without folding the whole set of panels back, for example to hang the clothes out. Depending on the design, it can sit as an independent panel hinged on the wall side or form part of the folding door stack.
Cost
The cost of sliding doors vs. bi-fold doors is roughly the same unless the doors get big. If they get very wide, sliding doors in a few panes gets significantly more expensive because large single units of glass are very costly.
Energy Efficiency
Thermally speaking, glass is the strong point of any door, and the aluminium frame is the weak point. Therefore, sliding doors tend to be more thermally efficient than bi-fold doors as they have less frame. Moreover, a sliding door profile is thicker than bi-fold and wins thermally in this respect too.
Both bifold and sliding doors can be light and easy to use, thanks to modern materials and innovative technology. They are available in a variety of materials such as aluminium, wood and UPVC. Aluminium bi-fold are a popular choice among homeowners as the frames are stronger than UPVC.
If you are looking to update your home with new windows and doors, give our friendly team a call today who will be happy to help answer any queries you may have.
