Bifold doors and patio with zero threshold

[happyfrogger]

Does anyone have experience of fitting bifold doors with zero step threshold down to outside? My glazier and builder are saying I have two options -either a sill for my aluminium doors and a step down to a stone (or similar) patio, or if I want zero threshold / step I have to do decking or composite on top of the sill (to bring up the height).if I put something in top of the sill it must be porous so cannot be patio. I like patio. My only other option is a lead lined drainer beneath the earth so I can have a patio with zero threshold and no sill - but this will cost me 2k more all in all.

So, my question is, does anyone know if composite patios exist? I would ideally like a composite that looks like patio slabs and not like wooden decking. If I could find this, I could save a lot of money!

Thanks in advance.

Happy , not much help I am afraid but I wanted what you are describing with the bifold doors between our kitchen and patio. I wanted the same tiles (indoor and outdoor versions) in kitchen and garden. Same issue as you and in the end I decided on the step as preferred the look of same tiles with the step rather than two different surfaces. I can't remember now as it was a while ago but seem to recall we couldn't find an option that looked good and in the end any drainage options the builder came up with seemed too expensive just for the sake of not having a step. I have to say - I never think about it now (It looks nice) except when we have had a really fearsome downpour being relieved I don't have to worry if the patio is porous enough or the drainage up to the kitchen not flooding Sorry not to be more helpful - I hope someone comes along who's done it and can give you the answer.

I'm afraid I can't really help either. We wanted the same surface inside and out, but, as we have wood inside we opted for decking outside. It also solved the problem that there was quite a step down from inside to outside. I know some people hate decking though!

The issue is that flush threshold assemblies are poorly weathertight and you will get water ingress if there's high rain/wind.

if you have a flush threshold and a impermeable finish outside, you will get water ingress into the building. forming a gutter (with a grill) between the door and the outside flooring would help that.

Been through this very recently.... We opted for patio with step down...

we have same level with tiles, with a grill outside. works well no water ingress, even with last few days downpours. took builders a little while to work out levels but is really worth it. it can be done, they need to know what they're doing!

I didn't even know you were allowed to have them on the same level. My builders just said 'no, building control won't let you'.
Hence, we've got a step down.

Thank you, everyone. sacbina, how do you feel about your drain - does it catch your eye?

Glad to hear I'm not alone in this one. The search continues for a suitable porous patio that looks like a patio! Perhaps this is why only wood-effect composites exist: because you don't need a grout / grout effect. A non-grouted patio look may seem odd...

You can get level threshold for wheelchair access so must be technically possible. They have the metal grill type drains across the outside .

On DIY SOS (sorry), they usually have a deck I think for wheel chair access.

I suspect DIY SOS do it as a rush job ! I worked as a community OT - I used to specify level access and lo, it would appear. I am sorry to say I never really knew the technicality of how they achieved it, but the team we used obviuosly were experts in this - and true level access showers which is something else builders tell you can't be achieved

barely notice the grill tbh, it's only about 2". tiles are dark grey, outside green/grey slate, in the middle metallic grill and white door threshold. we also don't have a cill. lots of conflabs betw builders and door suppliers. looks fab and can't wait for some good weather to fully appreciate it. makes both inside and outside space seem much bigger than it is

But I think this is exactly what the OP wanted to avoid. Aco drain was too expensive....

aco grill, that's the one. certainly not lead lined

I've seen pictures online where there appears to be no drain/grill and I can't understand how the water drains off, particularly with a non porous outside surface. Even with a gutter under the patio/threshold, how does the water get down?

Maybe a colour match drain will not be so bad. But clearly some people have done it without!

I have a plan to do this too eventually but I don't think there's any problem having a colour-matched grille for drainage, so long as there's nothing to trip over I don't think it would be significant.

I'm not looking at my feet that often, I don't notice, or care, what colour the grill is !

My neighbours have just done this and extended their patio outwards. The problem is that we are on a hill so the end of their patio comes to ABOVE the height of the fence. Lovely viewing platform for them, zero privacy for us. Do think about your neighbours before starting work..

I have it. Wood inside. Stone outside. Aluminium grille and drain channel. No problems at all with ingress but small, walled town garden so no wind. Will take pics later.

Thanks all, really helpful!

Thanks all, really helpful!