I'll start my response by saying we have been supplying and installing award-winning bifold doors and award-winning sliding doors right across the UK for 17 years, so we have plenty of experience - but also no bias towards either system. There are a multitude of factors to consider when choosing between bifolds and sliders - indeed we wrote an entire blog on the subject because it is a question we get asked time and time again. Based on discussions with customers, the key factors are: - Size of opening - the larger the opening the more likely it is that customers will choose sliding doors. - A view out - if you have a stunning view from your property then sliding doors (with their narrower profiles) are most likely to be the option. - Complete opening - if it is important that you create a complete opening then bifold doors are the option for you. With sliding doors (unless you opt for a pocket slider) you will always have a fixed panel. - Usability - how often you will have the doors open and how they open, these factors have an impact when choosing between systems In terms of price, thermal efficiency, glass options, weather proofing, track options, material choices and colours/finishes the systems can be pretty similar so these tend not to be key to making the decision. Over the years we have supplied sliding doors as small as 1.8m wide and as large as 24m and bifold doors from 1.6m up to 26m. If you want to discuss your particular project where we can answer questions and provide a quote for a specific location or build then simply give us a call on 01603 408804, visit or website www.idsystems.co.uk or email us at info@idsystems.co.uk. There are numerous examples in our projects section of our profile, but here are a few examples of our work...

It all depends whether your doors are still on order or you've had them fitted. Origin Bifolds have a fantastic selection of bifolding door blinds that work not just with their doors but all bifolding doors. They're available manual, automatic and solar controlled. Highly recommend them. Your other option is integral glass blinds that is blinds housed between the panes of glass of your double glazed units. There are only a few manufacturers of these the for reliability and quality you need to shop around. Pellini are the worlds largest designer of these blinds and they are made by their approved manufacturers, Morley Glass of Leeds being one in the UK and the biggest. Visit most quality double glazing showrooms and its the Morley product you'll probably see. With these blinds, quality is everything - you really do get what you pay for. There is no immediate drawback to these blinds other than some may find them more expensive when budgeting for their bifolds but the benefits they provide are excellent. The integral blinds, between glass blinds, integrated blinds or however they may be referred to are in a hermetically sealed unit. You can't get to them, you can't clean them - that is the purpose of them. The result is blinds that don't get in the way, blinds that don't need cleaning and when closed you can still enjoy the great appearance of your bifolding doors without obscuring them. In the unlikely event that the blinds fail, you have to replace the whole glass with the blind as it is one component. It's also worth knowing that these blinds can be fitted to existing windows and doors. If you have older bifolding, sliding or french doors and even windows, there is no reason why you can't have integral blinds if you want them. As long as the unit is 24mm or wider, it should be fine. It'll mean new glass fitted with blinds. Integral blinds fitted in the latest generation glass could even help to make your older windows far more energy efficient as well! Hope this helps everyone, please do get in touch if you need help with these, where to buy and further information.

Thanks all for your comments - really helpful. I think this is the problem when you are dealing with a period property and adding a side return, how to incorporate all the things that would just happen if you were building from scratch. Our builder has now proposed recessing the soil pipe, approx 100 cms diam, into the outside wall with the water down pipe in front. His thinking is that it would be easier for us to access and also maintaining the aesthetics of the room. The builder is a tidy worker and either option is cost neutral so there is no saving to him. I wish I could post a picture but the only docs that I have are the plans with our details plastered all over them, so I will do my best to explain. The ground floor back of the house will be wall to wall and measure approx 5.5m wide. Looking at the property on the right there will be 3m wide by 2m tall bi fold doors and on the left 1.2m wide and 2m tall single solid pane of glass for the side return. So there is only a column of less than .5m between the solid pane of glass and bi fold doors available for use. The builder will use the column area to host the down pipe from the roof and the soil pipe will be recessed into the brickwork behind it. Note this soil pipe will supports 2 full bathrooms and 1 separate loo = all on upper floors. Also, there is a new soil pipe which will support the loo in the ground floor utility room. I am nervous of sounds inside the dining area especially as the dining table will be literally a foot from the proposed internal boxing covering the soil pipe. I have read lots on the internet maybe 60% say they have no noise from the soil pipe boxed in the room and 40% say it’s noisy. I have even seen a boxed soil pipe attached to a kitchen island and between appliances/cupboards – not ideal but there seems to be no reason why it can’t be placed anywhere. Thanks for reading and advice.

I'll start my response by saying we have been supplying and installing award-winning bifold doors and award-winning sliding doors right across the UK for 17 years, so we have plenty of experience - and unlike some others on Houzz we have no bias towards either system. Without seeing the plans it isn't easy to advise completely, but given your comments Rustumshah I think sliding doors are the best option for you. We offer two slim sliding doors, theEDGE which is our award-winning system with ultra-slim 24mm sightlines and Grand Slider II which is our hugely popular slider with 83mm profiles. In terms of choosing between systems, one of the key factors alongside visual appearances is the usability of the doors. If you get the chance to try the doors before you order then I would highly advise it. Historically some of the other systems on the market have been very heavy to open and close so if you can get to one of the exhibitions like Grand Designs Live, Homebuilding & Renovating or Build It Live where you can compare systems then that may assist your decision making. If you want to discuss your particular project where we can answer questions and provide a quote for your project then simply give us a call on 01603 408804, visit or website www.idsystems.co.uk or email us at info@idsystems.co.uk.