If you didn't choose bifold doors...

[geojojo]

In a kitchen extension, what did you go for? Just planning our kitchen extension on a end of terrace Edwardian house and everyone seems to choose bifolds. Just not a huge fan of the look of them really but wondered what to choose instead. Would prefer a classic look which won't date.

I would go for french doors.

I went for sliders...but I had the space to do it. 4.5m opening with three panels of glass. They look fab.

I would certainly avoid bifolds if possible for a number of reasons. However, if you only have a small specs I can understand the benefits if them

We have standard patio/French doors. Don't regret them at all and look much more classic. It's not a huge wall though so they're not lost. Might feel different if it was a 6m space to fill!

I would only go for something with a sliding screen! My MIL keeps her kitchen doors open all summer and the amount of flies circling above her island is disturbing!

What's wrong with bifolds? I don't have them, and won't be getting them any time soon, but I would love them in our house!

We got classic French doors which is handy as the left one is open and shut every few minutes - a bifold would be a pain. Central in back kitchen wall, matching window on each side.

I'd go for French doors

Following with interest. We’ve been warned off bi folds but not sure I want French.

I love our bifolds ❤️

Also have bifolds and very happy ( had them 8 years now)

Interested to know what warnings people have had about them ?

Is there something i should know?

We had bifolds in last house and loved them. The other popular option I think is the Crittall style metal framed windows and doors, but arguably those are also "of the moment". If you prefer a more classic look just go for timber French windows, but my advice would be to make sure whichever you choose that you have a normal window as well, so that you can ventilate the room without opening the doors.

Big windows one side and French doors the other. We made sure the French doors open right back on themselves - as we're south facing that's enough of the garden

We got classic French doors which is handy as the left one is open and shut every few minutes - a bifold would be a pain.

You can just open the end door on bifolds like a normal door can't you?

I just worry they will look a bit dated very soon as literally everyone who gets a kitchen extension has them but I do know they must be so popular for a reason. We are unlikely to be able to renovate again any time soon so I want to get something classic. I absolutely love the look of the crittal ones but you might be right that they are also of the moment.

I've done sliding doors, French doors and bifolds on various extension projects for clients in the past year.
I always say go with your gut/house rather than fashion - what style are you trying to achieve.
I've literally just been working on an extension project today to a victorian house with two pairs of French doors with windows above, on the kitchen extension - they open out onto the patio with a pergola over it to provide summer shading (south facing) - we are going for a classic look for this part of the extension as if it was part of the original house.

We have crittal style ones (aluminium not steel). Two doors and two side panels. I love them.

@CaroleFuckinBaskin

Re You can just open the end door on bifolds like a normal door can't you?

Yes you absolutely can- they are really flexible.

Here are mine

missfliss they do look lovely, really like the black actually.

Thankyou @geojojo these are a standard colour 'anthracite'.

These have been in 8 years and we are very happy with them

Oh and our house is a late 60s mock Georgian semi. Very nice but no need to worry about period features etc

I'm getting bifold because I like them and they meet the needs I want. I am having metal frames sprayed white with built in blinds between the glass panels. Can't wait! @missfliss yours look like the size we'll be having.. can't wait!

Architect originally put on the plans bifolds. The builder that I picked suggested I have a think about it as he said in that space sliders would look better and much better view out as less frames to have as each slider in a 4.5 m space could be 1.5m. He also said that the glass had to be thinner and is often flexible as they have to consider the weight on the mechanism especially when fully stacked back. He also said that he found that the bifolds mechanisms tended to be a lot more troublesome and resulted in faults than sliders.

Coincidentally my neighbour had an extension after we did and he went for the bifolds. He thought his were faulty as the glass had some movement and asked to look at ours after his bifolds were installed and couldn't believe the difference in thickness and robustness. He did say he regretted the decision and because his opening was similar to ours he could make a direct comparison...we both agreed sliders were better

Note** if I had a much smaller space then I would consider bi folds as you do lose opening space with sliders from the fixed pane of glass

Oh..neighbour has had his two years and the mechanism has started playing up but can't get anyone out due to CV so don't know exactly what the problem is but he can't stack them back properly

Conversely as stated by others they have them without problems.

French doors - purely for aesthetic reasons.

Live in a period property and think they suit the house better.

Don't get me wrong, I think bifolds can look great in the right setting (even on a period house if it has a contrasting modern extension) but I don't think they work in every instance.

I think they are a bit of a fad in the sense they are being used because they are fashionable atm even when they are not always the best choice.

Frenchman doors
Think bi folds are a bit of a fad

These are ours.......Crittall style but aluminium to save a shit load of money!