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Original poster

Sliders or bifolds?

58 replies

mekitgubakuds · 29/01/2021 16:16

Extension happening this summer was initially thinking bifolds, but now I'm thinking sliders - 3 panels that slide to open 2/3 of the space. The space is 5 meters wide.

Whichever option I go for I definitely want the ones with blinds built in between the glass panes.

I've had a quote for about £8k for bifolds with blinds, and £13k for sliders with blinds.
It's expensive and believe me I'm not rich! But I figure if I'm having it done then it's going to be there a long time so get what I want.

What are peoples thoughts, sliders or bifolds? And is the quote I've had expensive or reasonable?

OP posts:
MaggieFS · 29/01/2021 23:18

@mekitgubakuds

Those that have had sliders, do you have any sort of curtains or blinds? I feel like I need something as although we're not massively overlooked, in winter with the lights on, the neighbours would be able to see in. This is why I was thinking of having the inbuilt blinds.. but they do add a lot to the cost.

The house had vertical blinds in place when we bought it (newly renovated by developers who did some work including installing the sliders. They hang in the recess of the window and work well, I've never really thought about anything else because they were already there! They're just a bit neutral where a bit of colour would be nice.

Pipandmum · 29/01/2021 23:21

Had bifolds - never again. I'd go with crittal style, but you couldn't possibly have blinds with them.

Qc16 · 30/01/2021 00:05

@mekitgubakuds

Those that have had sliders, do you have any sort of curtains or blinds? I feel like I need something as although we're not massively overlooked, in winter with the lights on, the neighbours would be able to see in. This is why I was thinking of having the inbuilt blinds.. but they do add a lot to the cost.
We’re propably going to have blinds like these on our bi-folds www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Remote-Control-Motorized-Roller-Blinds-Electric-Blinds-Shade-Tubular-Motor/331881518029?var=540946585147
ThanksItHasPockets · 30/01/2021 08:51

I’m always in a minority on these threads but we love our bifolds and have never had any problems with them. Sliders wouldn’t work in our space. The traffic door is essential for us as this functions as our only back door. The children wouldn’t be able to let themselves into the garden if we had sliders.

Crittal doors are beautiful but they would look ridiculous on our 90s house.

notdaddycool · 30/01/2021 08:57

We have 5m off Bifolds south facing, we rarely open them completely. Sometimes I wish we’d saved cash for sliders. 2/3 opening would have been fine.

crazylikechocolate · 30/01/2021 09:33

I had sliders , not overlooked and up high in a position no one could get round to see in so didn't have blinds at all

sluj · 30/01/2021 09:48

I am interested in people with bi folds saying that they chose them so that they could have a "normal" door to the garden. With modern sliders, you can just slide the door to whatever width you want and just lock it into place so you have the same effect. Modern sliders lift and glide so you can move them with one hand, not like the 70s ones you had to put your shoulder to.
My sliders were more expensive than bi-folds though which I think reflects that sliders are now more in demand.

SheWouldNever · 30/01/2021 09:54

@sluj I was concerned by a lack of door but it probably wouldn’t be an issue if it’s easy enough to create a door sized opening and as long as it’s robust enough. We do a lot of opening our door all throughout the year to let the dog out / in - wouldn’t want to leave an opening as need to be able to control when he comes back in if it’s muddy or rainy.

ThanksItHasPockets · 30/01/2021 09:55

@sluj

I am interested in people with bi folds saying that they chose them so that they could have a "normal" door to the garden. With modern sliders, you can just slide the door to whatever width you want and just lock it into place so you have the same effect. Modern sliders lift and glide so you can move them with one hand, not like the 70s ones you had to put your shoulder to. My sliders were more expensive than bi-folds though which I think reflects that sliders are now more in demand.
Could a six-year-old do it safely, without supervision, and close the door behind them?

Sliders are more expensive that bifolds because they use larger pieces of glass and need much larger space for construction.

EstebanTheMagnificent · 30/01/2021 10:17

This is probably going to get me banned, but... I don’t like the look of sliders. They look really 70s to me. Even the very expensive ultra-modern ones.

away and ducks

Original poster
mekitgubakuds · 30/01/2021 10:47

 @EstebanTheMagnificent all opinions welcome! Grin To be fair my first thoughts about sliders were the same, but they've grown on me! And now when I look at bifolds I think they will date (and are starting to) as they became so popular and seem to be a standard on every extension , and that's one of the things that puts me off them. But everyone has different tastes which can only be a good thing! Grin

OP posts:
MaggieFS · 30/01/2021 14:53

I'm not sure I entirely understand the question but my toddler had been able to slide them since he was 18 months old if they're unlocked. He can also now flip the latch as he's taller but isn't yet dexterous enough to turn a key.

MaggieFS · 30/01/2021 14:54

Sorry - that was in reply to @ThanksItHasPockets asking about a six year old

ThanksItHasPockets · 30/01/2021 15:30

Thank you, @MaggieFS. It is academic as sliders would not be right for our space and I don’t much like their appearance but I was sceptical that a child could open several metres of glass to let themselves into the garden so it is interesting to hear others’ experiences.

Sunflowergirl1 · 30/01/2021 17:26

@mekitgubakuds "Those that have had sliders, do you have any sort of curtains or blinds?"

We had an extension. Architect designed in bifold same size as yours. I started looking and considering various things.

They stack back to one side. Big overhand either into a corner where the Tv was or outside. They also out a heavy strain on the mechanism so make sure it's very good quality.

Didn't know at the time but neighbour had bifolds when we jumped for sliders. His glass was a lot thinner (due to weight constraints) a d he really regrets it.

Finally, when I saw them, I loved sliders and the uninterrupted view of the garden. I love them

I didn't go for the internal blinds. My friend had them and they failed twice and it was the whole pane of glass to replace.

Went to blinds direct and ordered vertical blinds which pull right back. Cost £150 and is brilliant.

Anyone that sees our sliders always goes for them...unless the opening is more limited...I would prob then go for bifolds.

17CherryTreeLane · 30/01/2021 17:35

We gave both sliders and bifolds, in different rooms. They're both Schuco, and the quality is fantastic. I love them both for different reasons. Uninterrupted views from the sliders, but you can't beat it when the bifolds are open, and friends are round, pottering in and out with food and drinks. Pre-Covid, obvs.

superram · 30/01/2021 18:00

We have 2 sliders over 5m and love the big panes. The biggest doors we could have if bifold was 1m each without expensive steels and there would have been more frame than pane.

Original poster
mekitgubakuds · 31/01/2021 01:16

Thanks for all the advice, lots to consider. I think I'm going to go for sliders but maybe without the internal blinds, and go for the vertical blinds... it seems practical, sensible and will save thousands of pounds!

OP posts:
custardbear · 31/01/2021 01:37

I have 6 panel bifolds but mine are on. Corner so the effect is a floating roof/garden in room type thing and sliders wouldn't work
I do like sliders and in-laws have them in a gap of around 4-5 metres too - I guess it depends on the effect you're wanting

LadyEloise · 31/01/2021 01:39

I have sliders. We have roller blinds. They work really well.

soundofsilence1 · 31/01/2021 05:17

We have both in our extension in black aluminium. I love the sliders more than I thought I would. The frames are so slim. Our have 3 panes and all 3 slide.

The bifolds are chunkier but it is nice to be able to remove a wall. We are currently getting the patio done in the same tiles as the kitchen at the same level and it will be lovely for the little ones to be able to scoot in and out on their ride ons and take food easily out to the garden.

So I would say the choice depends on what you want out of them.

Simonutti72 · 31/01/2021 16:57

We have 3 sliders over a 5m opening with electric roller blinds in cassettes. Looks really sleek. We also have an awing which helps on very warm days (not many of them in NE Scotland though!).

jackstini · 31/01/2021 17:54

We have bifolds but they meet in a corner so we can have 2 walls completely open, which we do loads in the summer

I like the look of sliders, but they weren't really around 10 years ago when we had the bifolds put in and would not have worked for our design

anotherlongwalk · 31/01/2021 20:31

@Simonutti72 I think that's exactly what I'm going to go for! We're the electric blinds expensive?

TheJunctionBaby · 31/01/2021 20:51

@soundofsilence1

We have both in our extension in black aluminium. I love the sliders more than I thought I would. The frames are so slim. Our have 3 panes and all 3 slide.

The bifolds are chunkier but it is nice to be able to remove a wall. We are currently getting the patio done in the same tiles as the kitchen at the same level and it will be lovely for the little ones to be able to scoot in and out on their ride ons and take food easily out to the garden.

So I would say the choice depends on what you want out of them.

we are doing the same with the flooring. And will have a flush track so that when the bifolds are completely open we will have a continuous space right out onto our sunken patio area (sunken in relation to the rest of the garden). Sliders just won't work in the same way in this space for us
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