Bifolding Doors for External Spaces: Transforming Your Home and Garden
October 21, 2025
News
Over the past decade or so, bifolding doors for external installations have become a popular choice for homeowners right across the UK. Walk through any new housing development or recently renovated property, and you’ll likely spot these distinctive concertina doors opening kitchens, dining rooms, and living areas to gardens and patios beyond.
The appeal is clear – external bifold doors offer something that traditional patio doors and French doors simply can’t match. They create a great connection between your indoor and outdoor space, folding back neatly to virtually remove the barrier between inside and out. On a warm summer’s day, you can throw them wide open and let your garden become an extension of your home. On cooler evenings, you can close them up knowing they’ll keep your home warm and secure whilst still providing views and natural light.
At North East Bifolds, we’ve been manufacturing and installing aluminium bifold doors for years, and we’ve seen first-hand how they can completely change the way families use and enjoy their homes. Whether you’re building an extension, renovating your existing property, or simply looking to improve the connection to your garden, bifold doors might be exactly what you need.
What Are Bifold Doors?
Bifold doors are made up of multiple door panels that fold back on themselves in a concertina-style motion, stacking neatly to one or both sides of an opening. Unlike traditional doors that swing open or sliding doors that move across, bifolds fold away to create a much wider opening.
The Benefits of Bifold Doors
Maximising Garden Views
One of the biggest advantages of a bifold door system is how it frames and showcases your garden. The large glass panels act like picture windows, giving you uninterrupted views of your outside space throughout the year.
Because aluminium is such a strong material, the frames can be much slimmer than you’d get with uPVC or timber. This means more glass and less frame – a design feature that really makes a difference when you’re looking out at your garden. You get to see more of what matters: your plants, your lawn, your patio furniture, rather than chunky door frames getting in the way.
The natural light that floods through these expansive glass areas is remarkable. Even on overcast North East days, a well-positioned bifold door set will brighten your living space considerably. For north-facing rooms or properties where light is limited, this can transform how a room feels and reduce your need for artificial light.
Improving Ventilation
Fresh air is something we all need more of in our homes, and external bifold doors give you complete control over ventilation. Unlike a single door or window, where you get one level of opening, bifolds let you adjust exactly how much air you want coming through.
On mild days, you might open just one or two panels, creating a gentle flow of fresh air without losing too much heat. When the weather’s warmer, you can fold the entire door system back, allowing air to circulate freely through your home.
Creating Versatile Living Areas
Perhaps the biggest benefit of bifold doors is how they change the way you can use your living space. When the doors are fully open, your kitchen, dining room, or living area effectively doubles in size, spilling out into your garden or patio.
Whether you’re having a barbecue, a family gathering, or just a few friends round, opening up your space creates a natural flow between inside and outside. People can move freely, and it creates a relaxed atmosphere.
Even when you’re not entertaining, bifolds make everyday life easier. You can keep an eye on children playing in the garden while you’re preparing dinner. You can sit indoors with your morning coffee while feeling properly connected to the outdoors. In good weather, you can work at your dining table with the doors open, enjoying fresh air and garden views.
The versatility extends through the seasons, too. In summer, your outdoor space becomes part of your home. In winter, the high-quality double glazing and thermal breaks in the aluminium frames keep the warmth in while you still enjoy those garden views.
North East Bifolds: Our Bifold Door Range
At North East Bifolds, we don’t just install bifold doors; we also manufacture them in our Seaham facility. This means we have complete control over quality and can create the perfect bifold door for your specific requirements.
Customisation Options
Our bifold doors are fully bespoke, made to measure for your exact opening. We offer configurations from 2 panels right up to 7 panels, with widths from 1400mm to 8400mm. Heights can go up to 2500mm, giving you plenty of flexibility whether you’re fitting a compact opening or creating a dramatic glass wall.
The number of panels you choose will depend on your space and how you want the doors to operate. Smaller openings work well with 2 or 3 panels, while larger spans might benefit from 4, 5, or more panels.
When it comes to colours, anthracite grey remains a popular choice for its contemporary look, but we offer any RAL colour you might want. Clean white suits traditional properties beautifully, while black makes a bold statement. You can even have different colours on the inside and outside.
Thermal Performance and Energy Efficiency
We use thermally broken aluminium frames, which means there’s an insulating barrier between the inside and outside parts of the frame. This significantly reduces heat loss and helps keep your energy bills down.
Combined with high quality double glazing, this thermal performance means your bifolds will keep your home comfortable year-round. The improved energy efficiency is better for your wallet and the environment. Plus, aluminium is entirely recyclable, making it a friendly material to use.
High Security Features
We take a proactive stance on security by fitting all our external bifold doors with the EROS 3 Star Cylinder lock as standard. This advanced locking system has achieved Sold Secure Diamond 2024 certification – the highest level available.
The lock features hardened steel construction, 12 points of drill protection, and resistance to all known break-in methods, including thermal and twist attacks. With over 800,000 key combinations and 11 security pins, it offers exceptional protection.
Improve Your Home with Us
If you’re considering bifolds for your North East home, the best starting point is often just a conversation. Every property is different, and what works beautifully for one home might not be quite right for another.
We’re happy to visit your property, take measurements, and discuss the options that would work best for your space and budget. Alternatively, you can visit our showroom at North Crescent, Seaham, SR7 8RD.
For more information, you can call us on 0191 581 3987, email us at sales@northeastbifolds.co.uk, or use our online contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many panels should I choose for my bifold doors?
The number of panels depends on the width of your opening and your personal preference. For openings up to 3 metres, 3 or 4 panels typically work well. Larger openings might benefit from 5, 6, or 7 panels.
Will bifold doors keep my home warm in winter?
Yes, our modern aluminium bifold doors offer excellent thermal performance. Our doors feature thermally broken frames and high-quality double glazing, which significantly reduces heat loss.
How long do aluminium bifold doors last?
With proper maintenance, aluminium bifold doors can last for several decades. They require very little upkeep – just an occasional clean and a light oiling of the tracks. The aluminium won’t warp, rot, or discolour over time.
Are aluminium doors a good choice for exterior bifold doors?
Absolutely. Aluminium doors are strong, lightweight, and resistant to warping or rusting, which makes them an ideal solution for exterior bifold doors. Their slim frames mean you get larger glass panels, letting natural light flood your home while maintaining excellent durability and thermal efficiency.
How can I make sure my bifold doors perform well over time?
Choosing the right installer makes all the difference. With North East Bifolds, you’ll get expert advice on design, layout, and materials from the very start, ensuring your doors fit and function perfectly. Our precision-built aluminium systems are designed for smooth operation year after year, giving you lasting quality and complete peace of mind once they’re in place.