News

22
Aug

Bi-folding Doors vs. Sliding Doors: How do they compare?

Aluminium bi-folding doors are a popular choice for homeowners looking to open up their home to natural outdoor space, and light and eye-catching views. However, in recent years, lift and slide sliding doors have become an increasingly popular alternative to bi-folds.

Lift and slide doors differ from bi-folding doors in how they operate. By turning the handle downwards, the door panel is lifted from the bottom rail, making it easy for the homeowner to open and close large panels of glass with minimal effort.

The lift and slide opening door panel can be ‘dropped’ back down at any point on its travel, and locked into place, allowing ventilation into the room, while still keeping the room secure.

How to choose between bi-folding doors and sliding doors?

Both bi-folding doors and lift and slide sliding doors allow you to open wide apertures of your home to the outside, and flood your rooms with natural light.

Deciding between bi-folding doors and sliding doors ultimately depends on your personal style preferences, budget and space requirements, but to help you along the way, we’ve examined the pros and cons of each to help you get a better understanding of which you should consider.

Aperture opening

Bi-folds allow you to almost completely open up an aperture over a considerable distance of up to 7000mm. This is great if you have a patio or love to entertain in the garden. You are truly able to let the outside in. The lift and slide door will inevitably still have a portion of the aperture closed as the panels slide on top of one another (except when it is hidden within a wall pocket).

For bold architectural statements, cornerless openings are also available for both bi-folds and lift and slide doors. Opening up an entire corner of your home to nature, without a post getting in the way.

When closed, bi-folding doors can also be as much as a design statement as they are a functional door, especially one like the Origin OB-36+ Soho Collection, which has the ultra-sleek slimline profile that has become so popular, with the heritage steel look.

Origin OB-36+ Bi-Folding Door.

Access

One limitation of a bi-folding door is the potential labour-intensive opening and closing if you’re regularly in and out of your indoor and outdoor spaces. A sliding door would offer more freedom and flexibility in this situation.

The view

The main selling point of installing a bi-folding door or a sliding door is to make the most of the stunning views that your property has to offer.

A bi-folding door will naturally interrupt these views more than a sliding door due to the increased number of panes involved, particularly when compared to a sliding door that could only have one or two sightlines. If you went for the pocket door option with the lift and slide, you could even have no sightlines at all.

However, once a bi-folding door is open, you’re left with a large wide open space that will perfectly frame your garden or patio area, whereas you would have sightlines with the sliding door.

Depending on the space of your property, Slim Sliding Doors can still provide exceptional views to the outside world, particularly the Ultraline Slim Sliding Aluminium Door, with its 20mm sightlines.

Ultraline Slim Sliding Door.

The decision

The decision to choose between a bi-folding door and a sliding door is not an easy one. It comes down to your individual preference and what is most important to you within the renovation project you’re undertaking.

If you are looking for a seamless transition between inside and outside then bi-folds could be the right choice for you. However, if you are looking for large panes of glass and minimal sightlines then lift and slide doors could be the right choice. Either way, you can’t go wrong.

Need some help deciding? Book a showroom appointment with one of our experts, who will talk through your requirements.

Aspect Windows have over 40 years of experience and within our Exeter showroom, we have a wide range of bi-folding and sliding door products that are dedicated sales team would be happy to demonstrate to you, ensuring we match you with the product that is right for your style, budget and project.

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"We choose Aspect Windows after much research and visiting a number of competitors. We were impressed after visiting their comprehensive showroom and being shown around their factory where they manufacture on-site. Initially we chose Aspect Windows because they’re a Reynaers at Home selected partner and we liked the CP130 Lift and Slide system. However, as our project progressed, we were delighted to find that we were able to use Aspect Windows for all our glazing requirements. It has been reassuring to use a professional company who is local to us for all our needs and keep everything under one roof so to speak. We are delighted with the end result. Well done to all the team at Aspect Windows."

Mr & Mrs Wright, Torquay

"I had chosen Aspect Windows in Exeter to supply the glazing as they had a good reputation and specialised in aluminium doors windows and curtain walling. Aspect were brilliant throughout the design and fitting process, working to incredibly tight tolerances especially on the curtain walling."

Mr Abdilla, Exeter

"The whole process has been excellent - I really appreciate the patience you've taken on what is a huge expenditure for a passion project, working with total amateurs! You've always taken the time to answer questions, explain options and crucially, make recommendations when nativity/inexperience clouds our judgement. A real skill and something I personally have really appreciated as I feel confident that we now have windows and doors that complement our house, design and style. Without that level of consultative engagement and relationship I'm confident I would have overlooked details and made a substandard decision. Thank you!"

Mrs Trestain, Padstow

"The pocket sliding door and gable look amazing, it’s an impressive bit of kit and it’s a revelation to be able to open the space up! I have to say we’ve been very impressed with all your teams positivity, professionalism and workmanship, from start to finish - so a big thank you…"

Mr Marsh, Exeter

"Just a quick note of thanks to the whole team for our fab windows and doors, we are delighted with both the product and also with the whole fitting process. The lads were brilliant (it's not often you get trades in the house who leave it cleaner at the end of the day than when they arrive in the morning!!) and just quietly got on with the job. Thank you again"

Mr & Mrs Leonard, Exeter

"I would like to thank you for the quality of the service we have received from Aspect Windows and commend you for the care and attention that we have received throughout the process. I am thoroughly pleased with our new windows and would recommend your services to anybody who asks."

Mr & Mrs Miller, Exmouth

"I wanted to just send my thanks and appreciation. We had an install approx. 6 years ago including some bi-fold doors which in recent weeks appeared to have dropped and became very difficult to lock. I called the office on Monday and a lady took my details and quickly called me back suggesting you had an engineer locally the following day. He arrived and was extremely polite and efficient and diagnosed a broken hinge. He went back to the depot collected the replacement part, then returned to Budleigh and completed the repair. We really appreciate the speed and efficiency with which you dealt with the issue and the ease from a customer perspective. "

Mr Ashby, Budleigh Salterton

"I just wanted to say thank you for the excellent service you have provided in the planning, removal & installation of our beautiful new windows and doors. We were completely amazed & delighted at the speed of which the installation took place and the hard work put in by the installation team. They worked very efficiently and communicated with me at ease through the week so I knew their plans with each room for installation. All the windows & door look great and we have already had lots of compliments. "

Mrs Oakes-Ash, Exmouth

"We would like to thank everyone at Aspect Windows for the fantastic service that we have received on our project. From start to finish, you have been so professional and we are totally thrilled with our sliding doors and our side door. We would not hesitate to recommend you to anyone thinking of undergoing a similar project."

Mrs Moores, Templecombe

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