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.

@missfliss how much were your sliders? They look great! X

We've got sliders. All panels move so we can adjust as we want.

Things to be aware of.

Bifolds need space to be folded back. If you don't have a big patio this can be an issue. They also need space all the way along as they concertina so bear that in mind.

My friend also has sliders and her garden is south facing. The glass in her house acts like a green house. It is horrendous in the summer. I think they would be better with bifolds to stop the greenhouse effect as they could fold them all out the way.

We have 6 panels in our bifolds, they open in the middle and can be used as traditional french doors then each side can slide back fully.
We also had a 'traffic' door put in on the side of the extension.
I wasn't keen on the bifolds at the planning stage but DH really, really wanted them. I'm sold now we have them.

Trifolds -- love them. One door opens in the usual way for coming in and out but when they are all open it is just gorgeous.

I would opt for timber French doors.

@jesswhitesocks Thankyou ! They were relatively expensive at £5k but they are aluminium which means much lighter and easier to use.

I wouldn't use upvc for large expanses of glass it's just much heavier and the frames have to be thicker

I'm delighted with the bi folds downstairs since they are so flexible in configuration but they wouldn't have been the right thing in the loft since they would have to open inwards and you sacrifice a lot of floor space that way

Our bifold open outward (you can choose) You can also decide how many panels (give or take). They are bloody amazing, I cannot understand why anybody would choose anything different these days. We can just open one bit as a door if needed. When they are fully open it is like you are sitting outside, really lovely. Go and sit in somebodu=ys house with them before you decide x

In our previous house we had timber framed bi-folds. In this house we had two really large sets of Ali framed sliding doors. 6m wife, 3 doors at 2m each door you can slide to either side or leave in the middle. I really like them, the only downside is bird strike ☹️

Oops 6m wide!
We love having large expanses of glass.

I don’t like that bi folds have too much frame and not enough glass. We have 2 sliding doors at 2.5m each over a 5m gap. I live them.

French doors look lovely and look timeless, IMO.

I agree re too much frame in bi-folds, they are lovely when open, but not so good when closed. It all depends on the frame thickness, they really need to be well designed to look good.

I like bi-folds. I we’ve had them and they were full open a lot of the time. South facing garden in the south. Beautiful.
You. Can get slim frame ones now and I think wider glass.
We are about to embark on another extension and I like sliders but I like my doors full open even, when we have the opportunity!!

I do love our bi-folds when I have both sides open, it really joins the house and garden
Had no problems and been in 8 years

Do love Critten style though too

Wooden French doors. They were placed flush to the outside wall so we can choose to open both sides right back against the wall. We fitted magnetic fixtures which keep the doors open without having to faff about with a hook.

One consideration is whether you have any other means of ventilation in the room as we found our doors which open outward have to be closed when it's windy. Not great on a sunny day.

Next time we are going to go for sliding doors with a narrow frame.

Would anyone with french doors be able to show me a photo? Particularly if you have a period house. Am looking through Pinterest / instagram but haven't found anything quite what I want.

If we ever get ours done we will go for sliding doors. I don’t mind bifold but our architect doesn’t like them and says they often start to break and not run very well.
I don’t like French doors as our garden is small and they take up room in the garden. At my in laws house they are in the way when the kids are playing.

Bi folds seem to be very "of the moment" - people always think they are great this time of year when we actually have good weather but chances are most years it's going to be fully open maybe 2 months if that. At least with french doors you can close one side off so you get some fresh air but not freeze your ass off by having what is effectively one less walk in your room

I have an L shaped house, and have both. I love the bifolds in summer, just opening up the full room and getting loads of air in. We have Schuco doors & the quality is fantastic. All bifolds are not created equal!

The sliders are the same make and are also great, but I wouldn't want them everywhere as they definitely feel more limiting.

Didn't but regret it !! Massively !

OP I don't want to take a picture of my home, but mine are very, very similar to these.

They open outwards and we had magnets in the walls/doors that keep them open (but you can't see them).

We’ve just had bi-folds put in, having 4 panes of glass means that we can just open the right 2 and if you have 5 obviously you can have them set so you only need to open one door (traffic door) so you don’t need to open the whole expanse of doors just to get out to get the washing in!

As you can see we needed a new steel as the existing lintel wasn’t strong enough so just be aware of that possibility if you have a large opening.

Do people really think that you have to open the whole run of bifolds every time you open the door? You don’t. The final panel is hinged as an independent door. The alternative would be mad.