Definitely the full width bi-folds, I do like the look of sliding doors but prefer the back being fully open to the garden (also agree with your husband about walking into them, from personal experience). My parents have 6m bifolds and they genuinely have them open almost all year round which I think is insane but each to their own. They don't have internal blinds, they went for automated blinds that are attached to the wall above the doors, though I rarely see them down! From the pictures, the bifolds look great!

thanks both!

Do you have 2 traffic doors in yours then and are they in the centre or at the sides?? Trying to work out the best layout for them so it's easy to access the outside

Only one traffic door for us, on the left hand side, I think that was chosen because of the positioning of the door that was there before. Old habits die hard kind of thing. Personally I think side access is better, but it's a good idea to put the traffic door where its easiest to walk in and out (in regards to space in front and behind it).

I know it may be too late, but have you thought of a third option of the type of doors that Panoramic Doors do, they're much more flexible than standard bi-folds and well worth a quick look, to see what they can offer. http://panoramicdoors.co.uk/

We opted for them in our new kitchen and we're extremely pleased with them. They have an option of having internal blinds inside the glass, which is neater and obviously easier to keep clean.

We also went for the optional fly screen, which we only saw at a house & renovation show at the NEC and doesn't appear to have a big mention (if at all) on their website. The additional (but I'm guessing unintentional) benefit of the fly screen is that it is quite a good thermal barrier and it made a significant difference this summer, to the solar gain on our south facing doors.

I would say bi-folding doors sound like the right option for you. The flexibility of being to open them completely up is great and being able to choose from a number of configurations to suit your needs is also a benefit.

Please feel free to give us a call as we may be able to help: http://bit.ly/contact-origin

Thanks,

Robyn

@Ribena - hi, not too late yet as not bought anything. Just had a quick look - are these just individual sliding panels then? what did you prefer about them to bi-folds?

@Ribena - just watched their video. They look good! Did see something similar at one of the home shows in harrogate a few months ago. Wasn't quite sure how they worked or what benefit they would have over bi-fold but I like that you can leave them all with gaps in and just open a couple at a time. Now to get a price.. eek

Tani, they're so flexible, you can have them them totally open like bi-folds, but you can also put the sliding panels anywhere in the gap, once the traffic door is open, so you can have them as open or closed as you like.

The big advantage we found is that because the individual doors move along the centre track, there's no need to allow clearance either inside or outside for the "concertina" of bi-folds.

So it means we have no problems with placement of furniture inside, or indeed plants and stuff on the patio. You could put a sideboard right in front of the doors and still be able to open them (but why you'd want to do that I don't know! LOL).

Ha ha. yes I saw that on the video and thought it was a good idea as that's the one thing that gave sliding doors the edge for me. Also the larger panes but that's just one of those things....

I need to check with them about the traffic door though as having it to the one side only is not ideal as it would be in the kitchen - so having to go around the island to get in and out. Not sure if this is even an issue as our old ones used to be in the centre of the room so....

Ok I'll be a minority vote for the sliding doors! Depends how often you think you'd have them fully open - we've just had an exceptionally hot summer, but in the usual British year I wouldn't want them fully open for more than about 15 days a year. So the bigger panes, fewer lines and easier use of sliders win out for me.

Or if you're having bifolds, I prefer the look with two windows, gives you more flexibility to ventilate without having a door fully open and looks more interesting and less busy. Also gives you more places for furniture, inside and out.

I agree with minipie about the benefit of the windows with regards to furniture placement, but if you have windows elsewhere in the room the ventilation aspect wouldn't be much of an issue, and personally I think with side windows it looks more busy.

Enjoying this discussion by the way! Interesting to see different takes on bifolds/sliding doors!

Hi Tani,

As per your last comment I can see in your renders that for the 6 door set you would have a 3+3 configuration where you will be able to open the two middle doors away from each other. Because of this, there is always the option to just open out the doors as you would french doors, leaving the two panels either side looking like fixed frames- giving you the flexibility to achieve both of the looks you desire.

Example below:

I hope that helps you a little!

Thanks,

Robyn

Think I mentioned on another thread the idea of having 3 sets of French doors - what do you think? Gives you lots of access points...

Tani, I wish I could help you decide. I can't.

I like all three of your options. From an aesthetic point of view I would prefer the full width doors. I think.

I like all or most of the other suggestions by Houzzers here.

I like the panoramic doors. I like the crittal example.

That's no help, surely. Sorry.

But maybe it's a good thing. Whichever you choose it will be nice. :)

It probably comes down to practicality. And maybe budget?

Oh no! it's almost neck and neck now, argh! Not helping me decide, guys. haha

Hi LTS, the catch that I have is similar to the picture below, but magnetic catches are a good option too. Our bifolds are aluminium, but we also have wood and composite options.

Hi Tani,

I voted for full width bi-folds and then got to the bottom of this thread to see your latest update and now I would say Crittall for sure! They just look so great. If these are financially viable for you and they fit well with the rest of your home, then these make a real statement.

The bi-folds will look good too and are great for indoor/outdoor living . They really help extend your living space...especially if we keep having hot summers like this one! Well, we can dream...

Basically, either will look good - if the price is right for both, then it comes down to the look you like.

For me Crittall style depends on how lovely your garden or view is. For an amazing garden or view I'd stick with fewer lines and let the view be the focus not the doors. Also if you will have lots of statements in the interior then Crittall might be a bit much. However if you have an ordinary garden and fairly plain interior then Crittal can make a great focal point - especially with exposed brick and industrial fittings.

Oh cross posted, if it's a 30s building that really sells the Crittall idea! (I've never been quite convinced by them in a Victorian house).

Hi, I am going through the same problem with my renovation of a 1927 semi-detached and wondered if you have made a decision yet? My door/window opening is about 3.2m wide by 2.1m high and I really like the Crittal style. I'm looking to keep the sight lines down to a minimum so Bi-folds are out but I am looking at slim profile sliding doors (one fixed panel & one sliding) or Crittall style French Doors in the middle with 2 fixed panes either side. Budget is a consideration as well as things like thermal efficiency, security, getting the right style of blinds and entrance out to the garden as there is quite a big step down to the patio area. I hope you are all sorted now and happy with your choice, I'm sure it will look fabulous!

Hello, if you don't want sight lines then I wouldn't have Crittall to be honest (unless you wanted Crittall without the cross bars of course?? as they are super busy and won't give you a clear view of the garden) We opted to go for bi-folds with slimmer sight lines and wider panes so there would be less lines.

On your size opening, it would take 3 bi-fold panes which means the central one is just glass.

If you had sliding doors then you would likely have 2 panels with the bar being right in the middle (unless you can slide them into pocket doors!)

Bi-folds - they even do frame-less bi-folds now or ones with the lines super narrow so I would get prices for those.

It also depends on your garden - as you say, because we had the bi-folds leading directly onto a patio area. If you have to step down then the garden will feel quite separate anyway and so you don't benefit from having an open 'room' as you would with a semi flush or flush threshold and bi-folds doors.

In that case, Alu french doors with side panels that don't have all the cross bars would likely be the cheapest option for you.

Thanks, lots to consider but at least there are plenty of options out there.