Considering letting some light into one of your rooms? You’re in the ballpark but how do you know whether French doors or bifold doors are best suited to you and your home? Of course, it depends on personal preference and, in some cases, the property size or shape will dictate what is best too.
There are advantages to be had with both types of doors, which we will be exploring further in this post. Let it be known, there is no right or wrong answer here and either door will always be a welcome addition to any property in St Albans or Hertfordshire.
Function
French doors | Bi-fold doors |
– This is your typical side hung door that opens outwards or inwards, options for the master door being left-hand or right-hand opening.
– French doors are slightly larger than standard doors but both rely on hinges to swing open and closed. |
– To open, bi-folding doors are slid to one side and the individual door leaves stack on top of one another in a unique concertina fashion.
– Door leaves can be configured to your specification, including opening in one direction, inward or outward, or opening in the middle.- Multiple levels of customisation with numerous door leaf configurations available; typically, between 2-7 panels but can be more. |
Property Suitability
French doors | Bi-fold doors |
– Perfect for period homes where other door types will subtract from the feel of the home. Keeps the property looking simplistic and traditional.
– Can only be installed on flat walls or into bays. – Floor space is used up during installation. |
– Provides a much more modern and open plan look, ideal for contemporary homes.
– Maximises the use of interior space, no steps or lips. – Fantastic idea for rear home entrances, very spacious. – Can be installed anywhere within the home, including over a corner. Very versatile and can be adaptable to sun location (dependent on the property). |
Price
French doors | Bi-fold doors |
– As French doors are smaller than bi-folds (only a maximum of 2 door leaves) they are considered a more affordable option for those on a budget.
– Cost will remain relatively fixed dependant on glazing and frame type; only material type will cause fluctuation. – Installation can be more difficult because builders will need to create a space for French doors and a raised lip which can incur extra prices. |
– The price is determined by the number of door leaves required to fit the space (usually between 2-7) and the dimensions of the aperture.
– Will pay for glazing and frame per leaf. – Will generally be the most expensive type of door due to the fact you’re paying for a bespoke design and materials per leaf; get in touch for a free quote. – Added customisation levels lead to a more varied price, e.g. stock colours or specialist RAL colours. – Cost can vary dependant on material used for framing, offered in uPVC, timber or aluminium. |
View/Usability
French doors | Bi-fold doors |
– Because they are essentially two doors within a frame, the glazed area is relatively small so you can’t let too much light into the chosen room especially with the two-door limit.
– Provides better view and lets more light in than a single door or even a window. – View can be obstructed by decorative mullions when closed. – Provides access to garden space where previously none existed and an additional source of ventilation |
– Bi-folds are ideal for a seamless open-plane home to garden transition.
– Once opened, bi-folds deliver uninterrupted, expansive panoramic views into your garden. – Despite thin frame sizes, when closed view is slightly obstructed. – Bi-fold doors expand the entirety of whatever wall they are placed on and completely open up your home to the elements, also providing extremely good ventilation – perfect for COVID-safe gatherings. – Excellent source of natural light. |
Maintenance and Design Options
French doors | Bi-fold doors |
– Numerous levels of customisation, e.g. authentic wood effect vinyl for uPVC or durable powder coatings for aluminium finishes.
– Can have decorative panes surrounding the doors or just keep it plain with two doors. – Can keep it simplistic with period effect Georgian bars or go for decorative effects with Astragal bars. – Low maintenance for uPVC and aluminium frames (install and forget). More maintenance required for wood options. |
– Multiple options for frames: the cheaper uPVC or the longevity of aluminium which features thinner frames suited to modern architectural developments.
– Can be adapted to contemporary settings due to frame sizes being adjustable – you can opt for better viewing quality with modern thin frames or a more traditional design with thicker frames. |
Both French doors and bi-fold doors are great sources of light and are perfect for providing alternative access to your garden space. Budget Windows provides fantastic levels of customisation between colours and convincing wood effects and will be more than happy to consult you on which style may suit your home better. Call us on 01727 832 333 or email us at info@budwin.co.uk for a free quote.
If you would like to find out more about our wide range of products, then get in touch with us today to request your free brochure.
Get in touch with us to get a free quote on our range of products, or you can call a member of the team directly on 01727 832 333.
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