Bifold Doors vs. Sliding Doors: Which One is Best for Your Home?

Bi-fold doors have always been one of the best doors for garden, patio, or extension entrances because they are secure, easy to operate, and have an attractive folding design. However, there’s also a new option for homeowners hoping to improve the entrance to the inside or outside of their living area.

Sliding doors are also suitable for all purposes, just like the traditional bifolding doors. From wide patio and garden entrance doors to stylish, elegant, two-panel folding doors. This now gives rise to the question, which is the most suitable for you?

Learn about the latest advancements in doors below, and search for an installer for your new doors.

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7 key advantages and benefits of using Bifold Doors

·     Natural Light and Bright Atmosphere: Bifold doors are ideal in designing living rooms or other centers of activity within the house. There is no more cutting out space in walls; only large windows can flood rooms with abundant amounts of light.

·     Space Saving Design: Some bifold doors can fold simply back to the wall. Further bifold doors only take up a fraction of the space when compared to using standard panes. Bifold doors do not feature heavy door frames, hence saving more on space.

·     Enhanced Decorating Space: Bifold doors allow for a great deal of versatility in designing the internal and external areas of the building. The door does not take up too much space which allows for a bulbous appearance that makes it great to have a wall with so many others.

·     Energy Efficiency: Aluminium frames will qualify bifold doors for A or higher ratings in energy efficiency, making them incredibly ideal for minimising future energy consumption. Bifold doors also have effective sealing mechanisms and can withstand all elements, and thus bifold doors ensure room temperature remains constant at all times.

·     High Security: Security is enhanced thanks to the construction materials used. The majority of bifold doors arebuilt using aluminum which provide high levels of durability and strength. Rivets and flush screws feature in the frames of bi fold doors creating sturdier door frames that create hostile environments to intruders.

·     Low Maintenance: Unlike wood materials, aluminum frames do not rot; thereby bifold doors will only need an occasional wipe down to not get them dingy. Bifold doors are capable of withstanding strong shocks and other elements of weather.

·     Weather Resistance: Weatherproof is one of the best features of bifold doors, and do not suffer from bending or warping. Bifold doors are ideal for all seasons, flood homes with a lot of light and enhance the aesthetic appeal of the home.

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Most homeowners in Scotland will prefer bifold doors over other options, and this can be attributed to the many advantages that these bifold doors present. Our aluminium bifold doors consist of thin aluminum frames, which allows large, double-glazed units to flood the homes with natural light, making the homes look bright and airy, and this feeling is enhanced further when the doors are opened up.

They employ a straightforward operating technique but now with the possibility of making a bigger opening without having to rely on double swinging arcs as traditional French doors. While a bifold will still require space so as to open, it is important to note that a bigger aperture will create chances of having more internal or external decorating areas.

Aluminum bifold doors also incorporate hidden polyamide thermal breaks that offer better energy efficiency yet maintaining all other unique qualities of aluminum, such as high security, low maintenance, and resistance to harsh weather conditions.

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Presenting the New Bifold Doors Alternative: Sliding Doors

The last couple of years has observed many developments in the windows and doors segment from improving energy efficiency characteristics up to a more appealing design. So, in a growing market, what is the new renaissance that replaces a bifold door? Now, while double glazed bifold doors are still popular with a lot of modern homeowners, there is also a modern innovation known as aluminium slide and stack doors or aluminium slide and fold doors that offer a unique alternative.

In contrast to bifolding doors, the slide and stack doors do not feature hinged leaves nor do they open by means of a concertina movement arrangement. Instead, each panel is constructed to slide to a terminal point and then a sequential folding occurs so that the panels are stacked up in order.

The Pros and Cons of Bifold Doors vs Sliding Doors

Energy Efficiency

It is very important that whatever type of door is used in a given house is able to retain heat as well as assist in the general energy efficiency of the house. This supports the reason why Quickslide slide and stack doors and bifold doors come with the option of double / triple glazing. The only difference in thermal properties of both systems in question that can in any way be remarked upon is their interaction with double glazing. With sliding slide and fold doors, U-values as low as 1.5 W/m²K are reached. Bifold doors, however barely reach 1.6W/m²K. The fact which is even more beneficial is that whatever door type one prefers, it can be very well assured that it will keep the user in comfort throughout the whole year.

Security

Due to being manufactured with high quality aluminium frame and double or triple glazing, both systems possess a reasonable amount of security and safety. Nevertheless, the key differences are always the subtle nuances embedded in the operation of each system.
As with sliding doors, both sliding and bi-fold doors also have to conform to enhanced Document Q standards, which are increasingly relevant in new sites.

Regardless of the selection, we are glad to present a full upgrade package for either door to achieve PAS 24 certified performance.

Design Flexibility

There are various styles available to enhance the appearance of sliding or bifold doors such as color, glazing, dimensions and configuration for the door and opening. Pairing two panels for smaller openings and progressively increasing to five or more for larger openings can be ideal for slide and fold doors.

The sliding door system is engineered for modern aesthetics with square sashes that feature ingeniously integrated flush trickle vents into the sashes and hinges. At the same time, bifold doors may be adorned with astragal bars and painted in pure white to suit old-fashioned sash windows or flush casements for a more classic appearance.

Installation and Maintenance

An important benefit of both the sliding and bifold doors is their installation process that utilises ‘tap in’ quick beads. This opens new possibilities for the construction of the glass into the doors panel and you will be at ease knowing the finished product may be quick and effective.

Aluminium’s properties make it low maintenance and perfect for door frames due to the high strength to weight ratio and very high corrosion resistance. Both of our door systems are made out of aluminum, but the newer slide and fold design is even more efficient to maintain and retain a fresh appearance because the sliding mechanism does not have any hinges between the panels. This, in turn, reduces the places where hinges would otherwise provide dusty or dirty material to pool, making cleaning even quicker.

Conclusion

So now, the question remains. Which is the most suitable choice for you between sliding door or bifold door? Well, if you already have a set of bifold doors and want a direct upgrade of a more modern version that provides better energy efficiency and security options, then our aluminium bifold doors are the right option. However, for individuals wishing to install a contemporary design with simple installation and high performance of the doors when they are shut without visible hinges, except the handle, then the new sliding system can be an ideal addition to the house.

If you would prefer our products for your house and installation, please use our online tool to find an installer or get in touch with our team for advice and details concerning Homesealed’s offers on windows and doors.

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