If you’re extending or renovating your home or building a new house, you’ve almost certainly considered installing large, glazed doors. Often the next decision is whether to choose bi-fold or sliding doors.
There are benefits to both styles, and it may be that one system will work better in your space than the other which will make the decision easier. For example, you might not have enough room for a bi-fold door to stack when open or it would scupper your plans for that outdoor furniture on the patio. However, if you have the space then the choice is yours.
The benefits of bi-fold doors
Bi-folds are best for a seamless transition between inside and outside. When opening bi-fold doors you are effectively removing an entire wall of your home, creating the ultimate connection to your outdoor space. One consideration when choosing bi-fold doors is that, when they are closed, more framing profiles are visible which may impede slightly on the view.
However, this is less of an issue than it used to be with the Schüco AS FD bi-fold door range which offers slimmer frames and larger panel sizes than some other systems on the market. The option to have floor to ceiling panels up to 3500mm tall and 1500mm wide means you can achieve large expanses of glass similar to many sliding door systems. Its slim 90mm sightlines mean that when the bi-fold door is closed there is minimal obstruction to your view.
Why choose sliding doors
Looking to maximise your view? Sliding doors might be the best option for you. With sliding doors you won’t be able to open up the entire wall as one panel will remain in place with the other(s) aligned neatly behind. However, sliding doors can have even slimmer sightlines than bi-folds, along with larger expanses of glass.
We have a range of sliding doors depending on your requirements. For example, the Schüco ASE 51 PD panoramic door offers ultra-thin 32mm sightlines and its outer frames can be concealed within the walls for a minimal look. Panels can be as large as 2900mm wide and 2750mm high offering a near-unobstructed view into your beautifully kept garden or over that stunning vista.
Our range also includes lift-and-slide sliding doors; highly insulated doors for those building to Passivhaus standard or just looking for maximum thermal efficiency; doors with maximum panel sizes of 3500mm (width or height), and sliding doors that can be operated automatically at the touch of a button.
What are the main differences between bi-fold and sliding doors?
| Feature | Bi-Fold Doors | Sliding Doors |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Panels fold and stack to one or both sides | Panels slide behind each other |
| Opening Space | Can open fully (up to 95%) | Typically opens to 50–65% (unless pocket style) |
| Space Efficiency | Requires stacking space when open | More compact, no stacking space needed |
| Views When Closed | More frame lines, slightly interrupted view | Larger uninterrupted glass panels and slimmer frames |
| Thermal Efficiency | Excellent. Depending on system used, lowest achievable U value 0.8 W / (m²K) | Excellent. Depending on system used, lowest achievable U value 0.6 W / (m²K) |
| Best For | Wide openings and indoor–outdoor flow | Sleek look and where space is limited |
| Security | High, tested to PAS 24 and RC2 standards | High, tested to PAS 24 and RC2 standards |
What option is right for you?
When it comes to choosing between bi-fold and sliding doors, the decision will largely be aesthetic: how much open space do you want to create? For a completely seamless transition between inside and outside, it’ll be bi-folds every time as the entire wall of your home is effectively removed when the bi-fold is open.
To maximise views and infuse your home with a panoramic vista, sliding doors with minimal aluminium sightlines will probably be the first choice.
No matter which door type you choose or how large and heavy the panels, our high-quality German engineering means they will be easy to operate. Our bi-fold and sliding doors also come with the option of a completely level threshold, which means no trip hazards when stepping out into the garden.
All Schüco doors offer superior thermal efficiency, security testing and come with high airtightness and weather performance, so you can design a seamless transition from outside to inside without compromise.
Try before you buy
A key piece of advice when considering bi-fold or sliding doors is to try them out. Bi-fold and large sliding doors incorporate a lot of glass which is heavy, and you will be opening and closing them thousands of times over the years. At many of our Schüco partner showrooms, or our own Milton Keynes showroom, you can try out the different styles for yourself and experience how Schüco precision engineering makes them easy to operate.
When considering large expanses of glazing in their home, customers often focus on the importance of the view. That’s a starting point, but we like to point out that large openings like these provide so much more than a view – they can offer an entirely new way of living in your home.
