Which patio door should I choose?

You may not know the difference between a sliding patio door and a bi-folding patio door.

But don’t worry, that’s why we’ve put together this article to discuss the different types of patio doors and which is the best type of patio door you should choose for your home.

Before we dig into the different types of patio doors, there are some considerations you should bear in mind before purchasing your new patio doors.

Consider the style of your home, do you live in a modern, new-build estate? Or do you live in an old, traditional British home? Bifold doors may suit new build homes more so than french doors. But this ultimately comes down to the homeowners’ preference.

It’s good to have an idea of which style you like the most and then consider if you think it will fit in with the rest of your home.

You should also consider your budget, having something quite expensive such as aluminium bi-folding doors may be a little out of your range, whereas sliding patio doors could fit much more in your budget and might be the better alternative to go with.

Whilst there are a lot more considerations you should have in terms of the double glazing installer you end up going with, the price you will eventually end up paying and if you want the doors customisable or generic.

This article gives an overview of the different patio doors available and showcases the benefits of each.

French doors

French patio doors are stylish and simple. Opening outwards, giving the area the appeal of extra living space and “opening-up” to the garden.

Paired with casement windows and modern sealing, french doors are the perfect option for many homeowners as they are ventilated in the summer but retain heat in the winter. Having a door that can offer both and be versatile in different weather conditions is rare. So for the British temperatures throughout the year, french doors are a fantastic option.

Sliding patio doors

Perhaps one of the most popular variants on the list, sliding patio doors are a feature for many homes across the country.

It’s not hard to see why with the large glass windows allowing full natural light to enter the home, it really gives the homeowner full access to their garden during the day and appreciate their garden at night too.

The way in which the doors slide to the side mean that they’re unobtrusive and there is more room for friends and family and less chance of people breaking the doors or the glass if they were to open inwards or outwards.

As they slide to the side, this creates more living space internally and externally and is a great option for summer garden activities.

Bi-folding doors

Where sliding patio doors still can’t be fully compacted and put away, bi-folding doors can easily be folded in a concertina-type fashion allowing ultimate access from home, to the garden without any obstruction.

If you really want to have nature at your doorstep and easily go from the home to the garden, bi-folding doors might be the best option for you. 

As living space is maximised to its full potential, so is the ventilation throughout the house and can be a “breath of fresh air” especially in the hotter months of the year.

But with the modern sealing, it retains heat in the winter so you can even appreciate the snow falling on your garden in the colder months as you drink a cup of tea and get in the Christmas spirit.

The best type of patio door

It really depends on your home and what style you like the best as well as what your budget is. There are other patio door styles on the market, but these three we have discussed are the most popular amongst British homeowners.

If you’re interested in installing new patio doors into your home, find an installer near you today.

Alternatively why not simply request a quote online? Using our QuoteBuilder tool, you can instantly design your ideal patio doors and see a visual representation of how they will look. In the end, you will be given a free, no-obligation quote for your patio doors which should serve as a benchmark on how much your new patio doors may cost.