Bifold doors and sliding doors are easily confused, and whilst they both open from side to side and are commonly found on patios, they do have several key differences.
Focusing firstly on bifold doors, they open in a concertina-style, eliminating your wall to provide you with an uninterrupted gap between indoors and outdoors. They are made using a higher percentage of glass, and thus are the best pick if natural light and external views are your utmost priority. However, they do typically come in at a slightly higher price point than sliding doors, which we will discuss below.
Sometimes referred to as patio doors, sliding doors glide on a track just like bifolds, but instead of folding at the end, they stack. This means they use less swing space, but don’t create an opening quite as expansive as bifolds do.
They’re both really good options, vindicated by the fact that they are found everywhere across the county, not just here in the South East. The best choice for you depends entirely on your own priorities, be it budget, available space and the view you have. By the end of this blog, we’re confident the right pick will be clear.
Introducing bifold doors
Bifold doors are a set of doors made up of multiple panels that fold neatly to one or both sides of an opening, much like a concertina. Each panel is hinged to the next, gliding along a track until the entire door stacks away. The result is a fully open aperture and a true seamless transition between your living area and patio area.
While folding doors have existed in various forms for centuries, the modern bifold door system became a popular choice in UK homes around the early 2000s, particularly with the rise of open-plan extensions. Their key benefits include:
- A fully opening entire wall
- Flexible configurations (we offer layouts of two to eight panels)
- A traffic door option for everyday use without folding the whole set back
- Family-friendly low thresholds for easier access
- A clear sense of openness when fully opened
Introducing sliding doors
Sliding patio doors operate on a much simpler principle. Two or more large glass panels glide horizontally past each other along a track, with one pane of glass sitting in front of the other when open. Unlike traditional doors or French doors for example, they don’t swing inwards or outwards, meaning they take up zero floor space.
Sliding doors first appeared in mid-20th century modernist architecture and have since become a staple of contemporary British homes. Thanks to advances in slim aluminium frames and thermal breaks, today’s sliding patio doors offer larger panes of glass than ever before, with uninterrupted views and minimal maintenance.
Bifold doors vs sliding doors: At a glance
| Feature | Bifold doors | Sliding doors |
| Opening mechanism | Fold and stack to the side | Glide horizontally |
| Opening size | Entire door opens fully | Up to around 65-75% opens |
| Sightlines | Slimmer on aluminium, thicker on uPVC | Slimmer on aluminium, thicker on uPVC |
| Glass panels | Smaller, multiple panels | Fewer, larger glass panels |
| Cost | Generally higher | Often more affordable |
| Best for | Maximum opening width | Space-saving, cost effective |
| Floor space when open | Needs swing/stack space | No floor space needed |
| Style | Versatile, modern or traditional | Contemporary edge |
Choose bifold doors if…
Bifold doors are the best choice when you want flexibility and a totally open aperture. Here’s when they excel.
You want your entire wall to open up
Nothing beats a bifold door for completely removing the barrier between your interior space and garden. Perfect for summer entertaining.
You have an outdoor patio that you use often
The traffic door function gives you everyday access without opening the entire set of doors, a real bonus for busy households.
You like flexibility in panel configuration
The number of panels can be tailored to your opening, making bifolds a fantastic option for awkward or larger openings.
You want a family-friendly threshold
Low thresholds make moving between indoor and outdoor space safe for children, pets and anyone with mobility needs.
Choose sliding patio doors if…
Sliding doors are often the better choice when space, views through the glass and a clean aesthetic matter most.
You want a lot of light without folding panels
With fewer vertical frames breaking up the glazing, sliding doors offer expansive, uninterrupted panes of glass even when the doors are closed. This makes them a brilliant option year-round, not just on warmer days when the doors might be open.
You’re working with limited space
Because they don’t fold or swing outwards, sliding doors are ideal for smaller rooms or compact patio areas where every inch of floor space counts. Nothing protrudes into your interior space or outside space when the doors are open.
You want smooth, effortless ease of operation
Sliding doors glide along a bottom track with very little effort, even on larger panels. There’s no swinging involved, making them one of the easiest door types to use day-to-day.
You’re after a lower-cost option
Generally speaking, uPVC sliding patio doors come in at a more affordable price point than bifold doors of a similar size, making them a popular choice for homeowners working to a budget.
Bifold doors from BSF Windows
We supply both uPVC bifold doors and premium aluminium bifold doors. Our uPVC options, using REHAU, VEKA and Liniar systems, provide excellent energy efficiency and are a cost-effective way to update your home.
For a contemporary edge, our aluminium bifold doors offer the slimmest possible frames, and are available in over 150 RAL colours. All our doors feature security features like multi-point locking and PAS 24 compliance, giving you total peace of mind.
Sliding doors from BSF Windows
Our sliding patio range includes high-performance uPVC and aluminium sliding doors from top-tier suppliers like Origin, Kommerling and REHAU.
Our uPVC patio doors offer fantastic thermal ratings, while our aluminium sliding doors are the pinnacle of modern designs, featuring ultra-slim sightlines. Both materials provide minimal maintenance and smooth operation, ensuring your new doors remain a pleasure to use for years.
Whether you choose aluminium or uPVC, sliding or bifold, you won’t need to worry too much about regular cleaning, the frames are very simple to wipe down and we just recommend you keep the tracks clear of debris as much as possible.
Who are BSF Windows?
We’re proud to be a family-run business, with over 20 years of experience, serving Surrey and surrounding areas including Horley, Crawley, Guildford, Dorking, Brighton and beyond. We pride ourselves on our reliability, competitive pricing and commitment to quality craftsmanship.
From our initial site visit and design consultation to our rigorous manufacturing quality control, we treat every customer like part of the family. Whether you are looking for new windows, a conservatory or a bespoke set of doors, we are here to help.
Ready to start your project? Visit our showroom at 31-33 Station Road, Horley, Surrey, RH6 9HW to see our products in person, or call us on 01293 408 713. You can also email bsfwindows@gmail.com.
