What are Patio Doors?
Patio doors, is a general term used to describe external doors which lead to outside areas such as patios, decking, gardens or balconies. They typically differ from single external doors such as back doors by covering a wider doorway, which allows for easier access to external areas allowing you and your guests to enjoy more of your space.
Types of Patio Doors
There are several types of external patio doors; each with their unique pros and cons. To help choose the right ones for your home let’s first explore the types available.
French Doors
A more traditional and elegant alternative, french doors are typically a pair of slim, tall doors with glazed panels forming most of the inner door. These doors are on hinges and meet to secure in the middle, opening either inwards or outwards depending on personal preference and the configuration of each design.
Sliding Doors
Sliding doors are one of the most popular styles of patio doors thanks to their ease and simplicity. Constructed of a single double-glazed panel held in a uPVC or metal frame, these doors open on an internal sliding mechanism which typically opens in a single direction. Sometimes, double doors are featured with a single door sliding backwards in both directions in homes with more space or for a more panoramic view of the outside area.
Bifold Doors
Bifold doors, as the name suggests are hinged doors which fold back on themselves in a concertina style. This style of patio door features large glazed panels in individual door ‘leaves’ typically made of a wood, uPVC or metal. Their unique opening style makes them a great choice for smaller spaces, merging inside and outside spaces seamlessly while the doors fold to the side.
How Much are Patio Doors?
The cost of patio doors can vary depending on the desired style and the materials used for construction. Typically patio doors can range from £250 to £4500, so making the right choice for your home and your budget is essential.
French Doors
French doors are typically more budget friendly, as they are usually standard sizes and don’t need additional customisation meaning they’re “off the shelf” and therefore a cheaper alternative. However, we do stock custom sizes so don’t let this deter you from this classic style if you’ve got extra budget.
MATERIAL PRICE RANGE
Hardwood French Doors £244.95 - £334.95
Hemlock French Doors £284.95 - £564.95
Oak French Doors £426.95 - £2777.95
LVL (White) French Doors £1586.95 - £2215.95
LVL (Grey) French Doors £1586.95 - £2215.95
Bifold Doors
Bifold doors tend to be more expensive than french doors, due to their flexible customisation options. Because of their versatility, biifolding doors are great for non-standard doorways and can be extended by adding extra leaves in the door. Although it’s worth noting that additional leaves will also contribute to a higher price point when comparing against a single pair of French doors.
MATERIAL PRICE RANGE
Oak Bifold Doors £2777.95 - £4873.95
LVL (White) Bifold Doors £2215.95 - £4873.95
LVL (Grey) Bifold Doors £2215.95 - £4873.95
Sliding Doors
Sliding patio doors and bifold doors are similar in their price structure, due to their customisation and configuration possibilities. A more versatile option, these can be adapted to a variety of custom sizes.
Installing Patio Doors
Installation is another factor that may determine which patio doors are best. The cost of patio doors and installation on standard patio doors is typically lower as these are easier, less time consuming and less expensive to install. However, more complex door styles usch as bifold or sliding doors are more likely to require specialist fitting, which takes longer and can be more costly.
How Long Does it Take to Fit a Patio Door?
You can expect a simple french or sliding door installation to take 4-6 hours,, whereas bifold doors or custom fitting french or sliding doors will take longer. Specialist fitting is recommended for advanced jobs such as bifold doors or custom door sets or if you are new to D.I.Y.
How Much Does it Cost to Install a Patio Door?
When installing a new patio door you can expect to pay in the region of £250 for a simple installation. Complex, custom installations are likely to cost more as these take longer and involve more technical considerations.
Can I Install my patio doors?
No, we don’t recommend installing your own patio doors. Installing a set of patio doors from scratch is reliant on several factors to ensure their security, performance and longevity.
A trained technician will assess and recognise the unique requirements for each job, ensuring that your doors are fitted correctly, depending on the layout and structure of your space.
Incorrect installation can affect the security and energy efficiency of your patio doors, even allowing water into your home during rain or snow.
Planning your installation
Before installing your patio doors, you should consider all the requirements needed for the style you’ve chosen, these can include structural as well as technical requirements.
We’ve answered some installation FAQs to make sure you’re fully prepared for your installation and know exactly what to expect.
Do I need planning permission to install patio doors?
You don’t usually require planning permission to install standard patio doors. However, in some cases you might need to seek further advice for example:
- If you are planning on installing patio doors as part of an extension
- You are building something new on your property and installing patio doors
It’s always best to check your original plans to ensure that you’re not breaking any conditions.
Can you replace patio doors?
Yes. It’s quite easy to replace a patio door with a like-for-like style.
Replacing them with different styles is possible, however, this will be more costly as further structural work may be required to alter the doorway, etc.
Choosing Patio Doors
Choosing new patio doors can be difficult with so much choice available, it can feel like a riddle trying to figure out which patio doors will complement your house and the vision for your space.
To recap and make it even easier for you to compare different styles, we’ve recapped the pros and cons of patio doors below.
Bifold Doors
Pros:
- Modern and popular
- Great for natural light
- Potential for maximised space
- Open plan outdoor and indoor feel
- Enduring appeal; likely to add value to a home
Cons:
- More expensive than other styles
- Can be bulky when open; leaves stack against one another
- Poorer energy efficiency in cheaper options
- Incorrect installation can cause leaking and drainage issues
- Can be costly and complex to repair
Sliding Doors
Pros:
- Space saving and sleek
- Great levels of natural light thanks to large panes
- Popular and timeless
Cons:
- Can be more expensive, depending on style and materials
- Prone to wear and tear more than other alternatives
- Complex to fix
- Large glass panes raise minor security concerns
French Doors
Pros:
- Cost effective
- Good ventilation
- Durable
- Versatile in style
Cons:
- Restricted views compared to styles like bifolds
- Not as modern in style
- Open in or out, requiring the space to do so
Which patio doors are best?
Bifold doors are considered the best for security, french doors are considered the best for traditional style and sliding doors are considered the best for cost.
However, this answer will vary from person to person, as much of this is down to personal taste. The best patio door for you will be one that caters to your functional needs, your aesthetic vision, and is a high-quality product that’s built to last.
Next steps
If you’re interested in patio doors for your home but still aren’t sure which, why not read our blog Everything you need to know about French Doors? Great for those in need of a little more information or inspiration.
At Doordeals we stock a great selection of Bifold and French patio doors, in a variety of colours and finishes. So, whether you’ve got an ultra-modern home looking for sleek panoramic views or a traditionally chic house in need of an elegant entryway we’ve got you covered.
If you’re looking to refresh both the front and rear of your home, browse our complete collection of external doors to discover more.