Choose your style:-

French windows

Traditional French patio doors are hinged on opposite sides of the frame and lock together in the middle. They are better suited to smaller openings than bi-fold doors. Sizes vary with manufacturer but range from about 1.2m up to 3m. If you want to go bigger, French doors can be extended with sidelights to match the size of your opening. French windows are fantastic for framing views of your garden and easy access to your garden while retaining a cosy feel inside the room. Modern French doors are double or triple glazed, using safety glass.

Sliding patio doors

While French doors usually open outwards, sliding doors move to the side and the panes sit behind one another. Modern sliding doors bring in lots of natural light, thanks to large panes and narrow frames. They provide almost completely uninterrupted views whether the doors are open or closed and work well for large or small openings. 

Unlike bi-folds, sliding doors don’t usually provide a 100% clear opening although they can be designed as pocket doors that slide into cavities within the wall.

Lift and slide doors offer another option, with a different opening mechanism. To open or close the doors a handle turns 180-degrees to raise the doors off or onto the track. This allows heavier, larger panel sizes in wider widths.

Bifold doors

Bi-fold doors are at the top end of the price range and have seen a huge surge in popularity. They are made up of a minimum of two leaves which slide along a track and fold back against themselves, concertina style. Bi-folds are typically used for much larger openings than other styles of door – up to seven metres or more.

The key advantage is a run of bi-fold doors can open-up the entire width of a room, blurring the boundary between inside and outside living space.

On the downside, bi-fold doors require more profile than sliding doors which means more potential for thermal bridging, leading to energy loss. They are also quite heavy and require space for the stacked panels inside or outside which can be tricky in a smaller home.

Corner patio doors

Patio doors that meet at the corner are perfect for opening an entire room to the garden. Whether you choose bi-fold or sliding doors, the corner design gives you glass doors on two walls, maximising views and creating a seamless transition from the inside of your home to the garden.  Sometimes a fixed supporting column in used in the centre of the two runs of doors, although it’s also possible to have an open corner with hidden support, so the roof appears to be floating. A structural engineer should always be consulted.

Pivot

Pivot doors rotate around a vertical axis instead of having hinges set on the side. They can be built to swing in or out or both and make a stylish alternative to sliding or bi-fold doors.  They are usually custom-made and a suitable choice for larger openings. A clear area will be needed for them to pivot in, so not the best option for tight spaces.

Pivot doors make a bold statement. They offer a minimalist look with uninterrupted views through a single pane of glass without the frames of French, sliding or bi-fold doors. On the downside, they can be weighty and are expensive. Think of them as large, attractive windows that can be opened when required, say experts.

Pocket doors

Pocket glass doors slide along a track and disappear into the wall, removing any barrier between inside and out. This style is not always an option as pocket doors require a significant amount of width (and depth) of wall to slide into.  Frames for the pocket door and track are built inside the wall.

This style of door are better suited to extensions or new build homes as the construction of the cavity wall can be planned in the early stages. If you don’t have space within your walls for the doors to slide into, it’s possible to build a frame on the outside.

Which material is best for patio doors?

There are several options when it comes to the choice of materials.

Aluminium

Pros: Aluminium frames often have the slimmest of profiles, offering a sleek and slimline look. They are low maintenance and stronger than timber or uPVC equivalents, offering more flexibility for bigger, more structural glass designs.

Cons:  Aluminium being a conductor isn’t as thermally efficient as timber but opting for thermally broken frames will overcome any heat loss problems. Aluminium, like uPVC, has a big carbon footprint and tends to be one of the most expensive options.

uPVC

Pros: Plastic patio doors are the most affordable option. uPVC is also low maintenance and weather resistant. Unlike timber, plastic doesn’t require sanding, varnishing and repainting. It can last for decades without rotting or warping. The only upkeep is a quick wipe clean with soapy water to remove dirt. Some people like the white and clean look of uPVC.

Cons: Tend to have thicker frames and may look out of place in an older or period property. Despite the robustness, uPVC doors are not as structurally strong as aluminium, so can’t accommodate larger individual panel or door sizes. Most doors are white, meaning there is a lack of colour range with uPVC. Plastic has a bigger carbon footprint than a natural material like timber.

Timber

Pros: Many people prefer the  look of traditional timber frames to uPVC, especially for a period property. If you live in a conservation area you may have no choice but to opt for timber. If you choose Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified frames, then you can be sure the wood comes from responsibly managed forests. Timber frames can last for 60-plus years and have good insulating qualities. You can stain or paint them to suit the rest of your home. Timber frames have aesthetic and environmental advantages.

Cons: The main disadvantage of timber frames is the cost. They sit at the luxury end of the market. They also require a little more upkeep than plastic or aluminium frames. However wooden frames tick a lot of boxes when it comes to building a home that is stylish and sustainable.

Thermal efficiency

One of the crucial factors to consider when buying patio doors is the thermal efficiency. A simple way of checking the overall energy efficiency of a door is to look at the U-value.  This is a measurement of heat transfer from one side of a patio door to the other. An average quality set of doors will have a U-value of around 1.8/m2K to 1.4. The lower the U-value, the better. It means less heat is lost and the door (and your home) is better insulated. Ultra-energy efficient Passivhaus compatible products have a U-value of 0.7.

So, which patio doors should you buy? Factors to consider include type, aesthetics,  thickness of frame, outdoor views when doors are closed and open, thermal efficiency, ease of access and affordability. For many people, it’s a matter of personal preference.