French, Patio & Bifold Doors: Which is Best For Your Home?
When compared to traditional windows, expansive panes of uninterrupted floor-to-ceiling glass undoubtedly offers a better vista of your patio or garden areas. So it should come as little surprise that when it comes to adding a little indoor-outflow flow and maximising natural light, many modern homeowners are opting for bifold, French or patio doors.
Whether you’re refurbishing an old door or installing a new one, a brand new set of bifold, French or patio doors can give your home the lease of life it so desperately needs.
So what’s the difference between French, patio and bifold doors?
French doors
Similar in style to a French window, a French door can deliver understated elegance to both traditional and contemporary properties alike. A timeless design made famous during the Renaissance era, French doors became common in European residences in the late 16th century and were first utilised as entrances to patios or balconies. French doors eventually gained popularity in private residences as a way of allowing natural light into interior rooms. The glass panes now typical of a French door allowed homeowners to brighten their interior spaces naturally – this tradition continues to this day, even after the invention of electricity.
The perfect division between your interior and exterior spaces, French doors can be installed as a divider between a kitchen and a study, or a bedroom and a lounge as well as for use as an external door, providing a stylish entranceway into your patio or garden.
Bifold doors
A bifold door is made of multiple glass leaves that are expertly assembled using your choice of aluminium or uPVC. Bifold doors work along a smooth track and possess the unique ability to fold back on themselves – almost like an accordion. The operation of a bifold door effectively allows homeowners to convert a wall of their house into an expansive, double-glazed window that provides stunning, panoramic vistas of their outside spaces. When fully open, a bifold door creates a smooth transition from your interior living spaces to your garden or patio, making this style of door perfect for large summer gatherings and more intimate gatherings with friends and family.
Patio doors
Patio doors are engineered to slide seamlessly along a durable aluminium track, with one door sliding in front of the other. This allows access to your outside areas while also preventing encroachment into your internal living space, making patio doors the perfect solution when you have limited space.
Patio doors have a long and colourful history both here in the UK and abroad. Over the years, patio has become synonymous with an exterior paved area, one where homeowners can host both small social occasions and large gatherings. Sliding patio doors offer a simple yet functional accessway for homeowners who are looking to access their garden or courtyard with minimal fuss and hassle.
Which style of door is best?
At the end of the day, the door you choose for your home will come down to the exact specifications of your property such as style, functionality and available space, as well as your own personal tastes. The key is choosing a top manufacturer who can provide you with a high-quality door made from the very best materials. It’s also important to look out for energy-efficient features such as A+14 rated glass, double glazing, internal beading and thermal spacer bars. Doing so will ensure your door is long-lasting as well as energy efficient.
New doors at Majestic Designs
It goes without saying that a combination of minimal hardware and expansive floor-to-ceiling glass provides a greater view of your patio or garden than traditional windows. So it should come as no surprise that, these days, many modern homeowners are making the tricky decision between bifold, French, or patio doors as a way of increasing natural light as well as securing the much revered indoor-outdoor flow.
Majestic Designs have been engineering our range of bifold, French and patio doors for more than 19 years in our state-of-the-art factories. A fixture within the community of Cheddar in the heart of Somerset, our FENSA accredited and MTC registered leading teams have cultivated a country-wide reputation for friendly, professional customer service and exceptional craftsmanship that goes above and beyond.
If you have any questions about your new doors or are ready to book your at-home consultation, contact Majestic Designs today.
