Replacing patio doors-with what? Sliding, french or bifolds?

[Appuskidu]

We have old knackered single glazed patio doors that we want to replace but not sure what to replace them with. French doors (where two doors open out)) would seem to block a lot of visibility/light from what’s there now and sliding seem rather old fashioned. Bifolds are lovely but are they massively more expensive? Are there any downsides to them?

The door space seems non-standard so it’s difficult to look up eg Wickes and compare prices as there’s nothing the same.

We got sliders because I wanted the large expanse of glass without a frame - the way I figure it, you look out of them every day, whereas there are only a few weeks a year when you will want to open bifolds completely. I absolutely love them - each pane is about 2m wide so pretty much the entire back wall of my house is glass and it makes me really happy.

Got them from Express Bifolds who I really rate - great service and reasonable price given the size. They have a few options for really slim frames, too.

If you have animals and/or like to keep the door open, what about stable doors which split in half, so you can leave the bottom half in place? You can get glass ones too so you can still look out.

I love my sliding doors.

I’ve had all three, and I think BI fold are the nicest if you have rhe space, then french doors, and you can get some really modern ones, see pic attached, then sliders in last place. They generally look very dated.

As for them swinging open or closed, you just get them so they open fully and a hook at the bottom to keep open. There is various methods to hold them at different angles.

@Livinghereisok

I chose French doors in our last property as we couldn't afford bi folds, but we didn't account for the fact they swing closed all the time and block space on your patio. I would choose sliders if I had my time again

When we had our french doors fitted the window company took off the brackets that hold the doors at 90 degrees. It's a conservatory window with full height glass panels either side of the doors so they fold back completely against the other window. They do still swing shut though so we now just have tall plant pots that can be slid in front of them!

cabin hooks.