Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Bifold Doors
Bifold doors, a popular choice for modern homes, offer a stylish and functional solution for maximising natural light and creating seamless indoor-outdoor living spaces. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know about bifold doors, their costs, and factors affecting their prices.
Advantages of Bifold Doors
- Bifold doors, when opened, stack neatly due to their folding structure, making them ideal for saving space.
- They can be fitted with bespoke blinds for privacy when needed, and safety features like finger-safe and anti-bump mechanisms ensure peace of mind.
- Bifold doors can be installed flush with the floor level, eliminating potential trip hazards.
- Available in various styles, configurations, and designs suitable for traditional homes, bifold doors are versatile and adaptable.
Factors Affecting Bifold Door Prices
Several factors contribute to the cost of bifold doors:
- Material: uPVC is the most affordable, while aluminium and timber are mid to high-end.
- Size and number of panels: More panes and wider doors require stronger frames and hardware, increasing the cost.
- Type and quality of glazing: Single glazing is cheapest, double glazing is standard, and triple glazing costs more.
- Installation complexity: Larger or multi-panel doors need stronger structural support and more precise installation, adding labour costs.
- Features and finish: Premium finishes like slim frames, customised colours, and advanced locking systems increase the price.
- Configuration choices: The panel split and the inclusion of a 'traffic door' affect space needs and hardware complexity.
Cost of Bifold Doors
Typically, bifold doors in the UK cost between £1,400 and £8,000, depending on size, material, and installation specifics. For common sizes:
- A 2.7m wide (3-pane) uPVC bifold door costs around £1,950 supplied and about £2,835 installed.
- A 4.7m wide (5-pane) aluminium bifold door can cost from approximately £4,400 supplied to £5,500 installed.
- Typical four-panel bifold doors installed range from £3,000 to £5,000.
- Larger 5+ panel doors suitable for openings over 4 meters can cost £4,000 to £6,000+, with very large systems (6-7 panels) going up to £8,000 installed.
Installation costs usually add between £250 and £750, sometimes more for larger or complex jobs.
In summary, expect to pay roughly £1,400 to £3,300 for supply-only bifold doors of moderate size and material quality, and £2,800 to £6,000+ fully installed depending on configuration and finish. Larger or premium systems with advanced materials and glazing push the price to the higher end of the range.
Additional Considerations
- On average, bifold doors cost around £1,000 per meter, but this can vary based on materials, type of glass, finish, and installation.
- Customers may be eligible for grants for window and door upgrades.
- Keeping aluminium and uPVC bifold doors clean is easy, requiring only occasional wiping with everyday cleaning fluid.
- It's free to receive quotes from GreenMatch, and there's no obligation to accept any of them.
- Bifold doors are suitable for installation in a variety of sites, including corners and bay windows.
- GreenMatch can connect customers with up to 4 local bifold door installers.
- Making the frames as slender as possible can help minimise the issue of obstructed views when closed.
- Bifold doors can be customised to suit unconventional layouts and can be folded inwardly or outwardly.
- A 'traffic door' can be included in bifold door structures for quick entrances and exits.
By considering these factors and seeking quotes from multiple installers, homeowners can make an informed decision when investing in bifold doors for their homes.
- Investing in bifold doors not only enhances the interior-design and lifestyle aspects of a home by creating seamless indoor-outdoor living spaces, but also caters to the home-and-garden needs by offering a versatile and adaptable solution for modern homes.
- Homeowners seeking to incorporate bifold doors in their home renovation projects can expect various costs, including material choice, door size, glazing type, installation complexity, and added features, which significantly contribute to the overall prices.
