Sliding Patio Doors vs Bifold Patio Doors: Which One to Choose?

The choice between a bifold patio and patio sliding doors is an important decision when designing or repairing your home.

Although both versions are quite similar, there are still some differences between them. Sliding doors have been used in homes for decades. They are a classic model that lets a lot of natural light inside the room and makes your home visually more spacious. However, such models may be more limited in terms of opening/closing the panels.

Bifold doors are more modern: they provide a full opening of the structure, but they may require more maintenance. 

In this article, we will compare the features and benefits of both options to help you decide which one suits your needs and preferences.

Why Choose Sliding Patio Doors for Your Home?

Over the past few years, patio sliding doors have become one of the most popular options for arranging your terrace or backyard.

This design can beautify your home as well as make your life even more comfortable:

1. More natural light

Such door systems provide more light entering the dwelling due to large glass panels. 

It makes the room visually more spacious and cozy and lets you fully enjoy the beauty of the environment.

2. Better access

Compared to a bifold patio, patio sliding doors provide easy access to your garden or terrace. It makes life easier for families with small children and those who like to party in their backyard.

3. Easy operation and maintenance

Such structures are equipped with special adjustable nylon tandem rollers that are noiseless and do not require lubrication. They open easier than the bifold patio doors.

These doors are very easy to maintain: it is enough to wash the glass and clean the track from debris.

4. Good ventilation and energy efficiency

Large doors significantly change the air flow. This is especially useful if you have small windows and want to improve air circulation. You can open the panel as you need to air all your dwelling.

It can also increase the energy efficiency of your home by reducing the need for air conditioning.

But that’s not all! Many homeowners are mistaken, considering such designs not energy-efficient enough. The issue of energy saving is solved by installing double glass.

You can also purchase models with argon between two glass panels. This inert gas acts as an insulator, keeping heat inside the room in winter and cool air in summer.

Low E special energy-saving coating can also improve energy efficiency.

5. Elegant look and increased market value of the home

Patio sliding doors come in a variety of styles and designs that can be customized and adapted to the interior of your home in a way that traditional steel, wooden or fiberglass doors cannot.

All this can increase the total cost of your home, making it more attractive to potential buyers.

Despite the many advantages, such designs still have some drawbacks:

• Limited privacy

Patio sliding doors come with large glass panels that can affect the privacy of your life. You can solve the problem by installing special blinds.

• Configuration problem

Such doors are opened sliding aside, so they cannot be installed in corners, niches or other places with limited space.

What Are the Characteristics of Bifold Doors?

Bifold Doors are another popular model that is often installed instead of patio sliding doors.

And, if sliding door folds open either side of the track, the bifold models open like an accordion, they fold into themselves.

The advantages of such designs:

1. Adaptability

Bifold doors can be designed to suit almost any room. In addition, they can be opened outside or inside. 

You can install them in any way convenient for you, depending on the space and requirements.

2. Versatility and aesthetics

Since these doors can be folded as you like, they are suitable for installation even in rooms with limited space.

In addition, such door systems will help to make your home even more beautiful, stylish and modern. All this helps to increase the market value of your property.

3. Variety of configurations

Standard sliding models consist of two glass sections.

In turn, bifold patio doors are usually more diverse and can have multiple sections, from 1 to 8.

4. Safety

These designs provide excellent safety thanks to the multi-point locking systems on each panel.

5. Easy to operate and maintain

With bifold doors you don’t need to fold the entire structure like an accordion every time you enter and exit your home. One panel of the system opens as a full-size door.

Let’s move on to the drawbacks:

• View and maintenance

If the sliding systems provide an excellent view both open and closed, bifold patio doors consist of many panels, which when closed divide the space into sections, which slightly interferes with the view.

In addition, such models are more difficult to maintain than sliding ones.

• Energy efficiency

This model is less energy efficient than sliding structures. It consists of several sections, the connections between which may not be sufficiently sealed. 

All this has the potential to cause air leakage, heat loss and poor noise reduction.

Still thinking about which of these two models is best for your home?

Contact the representatives of the Vinyl Light Windows & Doors company. This brand offers a large selection of stylish energy-saving doors, manufactured according to all modern quality standards.

Here you will be helped to choose the model that will harmoniously fit into the interior of the house and will meet all your wishes.