Choosing between sliding doors and bi-fold doors can be a tricky decision. For many people, it ultimately boils down to personal preference or budget. Both sets of doors go the extra mile to create a connection between inside and outside space, provide lots of natural light and create a modern look. In this blog, we’ve highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of both sets of doors.
What’s the difference?
To make the decision between installing a sliding door or bi-folding door in your home, it’s important to understand the differences between them, as well as the key benefits and disadvantages of each door system.
Bi-fold doors and sliding doors offer a huge range of benefits, but the doors you choose will mainly be based on your needs and the space available to you.
Sliding doors are made up of two or more large panes of glass which move to the side and the panes sit behind one another.
While bi-fold doors are made up of a minimum of two door leaves which, when opened, fold back against themselves in a concertina style. The panels are connected by hinges and run back and forth along a top and bottom track using a carriage system.
Pros of sliding doors
- Take up the least amount of space when open when compared to bi-fold doors and French doors.
- Slim sightlines.
- Lightweight aluminium makes doors easy to slide.
- Large glass panels provide a nearly unobstructed view whether doors are open or closed.
Cons of sliding doors
- Less convenient for quick access when compared to a French door or bi-fold door with a traffic door.
- Depending on the system, it can be more expensive than bi-fold or French doors.
- Flush track cannot be achieved due to space required for roller mechanism, but the track can be sunk into the floor.
Pros of bi-fold doors
- Can be fully opened to seamlessly connect indoors and outdoors.
- Traffic door option available.
- Wide range of options and configurations.
- Can open inwards or outwards.
- Aluminium frames are lightweight.
- Increase home value.
- Available with a low threshold.
- Work in a small or large opening.
Cons of bi-fold doors
- Require space to stack inside or outside the home.
- High number of frames can obstruct the view.
Factors to consider
Opening Style: Both doors are simple and easy to open, though it’s generally agreed upon that sliding doors offer that little bit of extra ease thanks to their sliding motion and not needing to unlock the doors from their frames to open them.
Space: Door style isn’t everything, when it comes to which type of door fits the aesthetic of your home, you want to get it right. If space is at a premium, then a sliding door might be the better choice. On the other hand, bi-fold doors can look rather impressive in a smaller space. However, they’re certainly more fitting those rooms with enough space to accommodate their opening mechanism. Bi-fold doors also have the advantage of their lack of a threshold.
Light: Both sliding and bi-folding doors are designed to enable plenty of natural light to flood into your home. It comes down to the size of the glass panes, which give sliding doors the advantage, however, bi-fold doors can provide more space for light by completely opening your home to your garden and unbroken sunlight.
Thermal Efficiency: Both types of doors are incredibly thermally efficient.
Cost: In terms of cost, both these door options are similar. In almost all scenarios, the overall cost of your new set of doors will be determined by your installation requirements rather than the door types themselves.
Views: Perhaps the most crucial thing to consider when choosing which type of door to include in your home is the view of your garden or outside space. Sliding doors open to provide a wider and more panoramic view thanks to their minimal frame design and large glass panes. However, bi-folding doors provide a full and clear transition from inside to outside as there is no fixed pane once they’re open, essentially opening your window entirely and enjoying a frame-free view.
Final verdict
You will have noticed that both sliding doors and bi-fold doors have largely the same benefits, excellent views, light, and thermal retention. They’re also both equipped with high security locks, making them incredibly secure for maximum protection, and come in a range of colour options.
Both are quiet, easy to maintain, and simple to use. Sliding doors do provide just that bit extra of flexibility in your home should you need it, making them the more favourable option by the narrowest of margins. However, this all comes down to your personal preference and/or budget.
If you’d like to enquire about sliding or bi-fold doors, get in contact with Bingley Windows and Glass here.