Folding sliding doors (aka bifolds) are one of the most popular options to forge a link between home and garden. Emily Brooks explains their main advantages

Above: Aluminium doors, from £1,000- £1,200 per door leaf, Origin. Right: Aluminium-clad oak doors, from around £3,740 (for a 2,090mm x1,790mm, threedoor version), Benchmarx Kitchens & Joinery

A run of connecting glazed doors that stack back to one side to reveal a single opening can create a wonderful connection between inside and out. Combine them with a level threshold and some similar flooring, and it really does feel like the boundary has dissolved, and al fresco living is yours. If you’re sold on having this uninterrupted space, then bifolds offer a straightforward solution, opening up about 90% of the size of the aperture. However, it pays for you to do some research to check you’ve come to the right conclusion about their suitability for your project.

Bifold basics

Neil Ginger, CEO of glazing manufacturer Origin, says that bifolds “are available in more configurations than sliding or French doors, making them incredibly versatile. They can be installed to open from one side, in the middle or in various other configurations to suit your purpose. It is also possible to fit them into bays and on corners.” This type of glazed door comes in many materials and price-points. You can expect to pay from about £2,500 for a standard-size three-door set in hardwood, and from £3,000 for an aluminium set. “Sets of bifold doors are generally more expensive than sliders, due to the additional fabrication process required,” says Rebecca Cope, marketing manager at Reynaers Aluminium UK. “Bifolds feature additional profiles, accessories and hardware compared to sliding doors, which adds to the amount of material needed to produce the units.” Off-the-shelf products are available, but most are made to bespoke measurements; however, the maximum width available for a single door is around 1,200mm (for aluminium, the slimmest and strongest material). “People looking to specify a bifold are able to give an overall width and choose how many doors they want in that aperture, ensuring a configuration that works for them,” says Neil.