Patio Doors Explained

Help & Advice > Product Guides > External doors

7th July 2026

Patio doors are a great way to elevate and upgrade your home. They can even add value to your property when it comes to selling and are a highly sought-after feature.

But what are patio doors?

Patio doors are usually installed at the rear of your property. They open from the room at the back of your home into your garden or outdoor space. You can even install external patio doors in balcony areas and verandas. They are highly desired for many reasons, including:

• Allowing additional natural daylight into your property
• Creating a wider doorway for extra ventilation
• Constructing a seamless transition from inside to outside
• Producing a better layout for hosting summer parties and BBQs
• Bringing the outdoors in

There are three main types of patio door: French, sliding, and bifold. Manufacturers often make these from different materials including wood, uPVC, and aluminium. They are also available in different glazing options. This guide will compare all three, answer any patio door FAQs you have, and help you come to a decision on which is the best fit for your property.

Table of contents

• French patio doors
• Sliding patio doors
• Bifold patio doors
• Patio doors comparison table
• Which type of patio door is right for your home?
• How much are patio doors?
• Final thoughts

French patio doors

Here at DOOR SUPERSTORE, we often get asked, what are French doors?

French doors are doors that open outwards into the rear outdoor space of your property. Much like traditional doors, they operate on hinges. The difference is that they are normally installed in pairs and often feature some type of glazing.

Why are French doors called ‘French doors’?

Ironically, ‘French doors’ didn’t completely originate in France. During the Renaissance period, the French returned victorious from the Italian wars, and brought with them inspiration for a new type of architecture. Renaissance architecture is rooted in symmetry and balance, and this became reflected in French window design. Later, this design transferred to doors, combined with the glass panels found in windows, and so, French doors were born. They remain a popular staple in many homes today, and are available in the traditional, classic design, or as updated uPVC alternatives.

What are the benefits of external French doors?

French doors offer a multitude of benefits, including:

• Being available in both traditional and modern designs so it is easy to find a style to suit your property type
• They are the most cost-effective type of patio door if you are on a budget, especially if you opt for uPVC French doors
• Ideal for smaller openings where a sliding track cannot be installed
• Blinds for French patio doors are easy to install, as you can fit no-drill blinds that remain attached to the door frame when the door is open
• Wooden French doors make a great feature in period properties, adding charm, character, and historical architecture

So, if you’re looking for a versatile, budget-friendly patio door that adds character and is a perfect all-rounder, French doors are a great investment.

Sliding patio doors

External sliding doors are a popular choice when it comes to patio doors, but what exactly are they, and how do they work?

Sliding patio doors offer a wide, uninterrupted view of your garden or outdoor space, even when fully closed. This is thanks to their seamless glass panes that extend across the width of the door. They operate on a track system rather than hinges, where ball bearings or rollers help them glide along effortlessly.

Despite their modern appearance, sliding doors have an historical legacy and have been heavily adapted to how we use them today. They date back to Japan in the 7^th century, called ‘Shoji’, which literally translates to ‘traditional sliding door’. Previously, washi paper panels with bamboo frames were common, but today you’ll find glass panes and uPVC, aluminium, and wood frames to suit modern living. Post-war, this included upgrading to double glazing to provide additional energy efficiency. Today, you can even find triple glazing options available.

Thanks to these contemporary enhancements, patio sliding doors have a range of benefits. These include:

• Providing clear, uninterrupted views of your outdoor space, when open or closed
• Having budget-friendly options available
• Being easy to install and don’t require levelling
• Creating additional space, as the doors do not swing open and take up room
• Not requiring doorstops to keep them open
• Being easy to open and close; making them a good accessible option, especially when fitted with a low threshold

In conclusion, if you’re looking for an effortless, space-saving patio door that offers an almost panoramic view of your garden, choose sliding patio doors.

Bifold patio doors

Bifold patio doors are a standout choice for many modern homes. The term ‘bi-fold’ means ‘two-fold’, and is ‘used to describe a door that has two or more sections and opens by folding each section flat against the next‘.

Like sliding doors, external folding doors function using a track system. Rather than relying on ball bearings, they combine top and bottom pivots on the first door, hinges between each door panel allowing them to fold, and on the last door, a top guide and a bottom guide. This allows the doors to open and close in a ‘concertina’ fashion. The final door is often left without any guides, so it is free to open and close on hinges as a singular, easy access door.

Bifold doors date back as early as Ancient Rome, with excavations of Pompeii discovering early models of folding wooden doors used to divide rooms. They then resurfaced during the 1950s, becoming popular as internal wardrobe doors. The 1980s saw the first external bifold door manufactured, and present-day upgrades have transformed them with durable aluminium frames and premium, thermally efficient glazing options.

These upgrades mean that bi-fold patio doors have the following benefits:

• Create a clear, open view of your outdoor space when fully open
• Often include a single, easy-access door that opens and closes on hinges, meaning you don’t need to open the doors fully to move between indoors and outdoors
• Doors fold neatly away, creating extra space without the need for a doorstop or hook to prop them open
• They are fully customisable. Depending on the size of your door threshold, you can include as many door panels to suit your preferences
• Suit modern homes particularly well and add a ‘showstopper’ feature
• Can have slim profile frames made from either uPVC for a more budget-friendly option or premium aluminium for maximum durability and security

So, if you’re looking for the ultimate modern upgrade that offers versatile functionality, bi-fold patio doors are the go-to choice.

Patio doors comparison table

Below is a table comparing the features of French, sliding, and bi-fold patio doors.

Which type of patio door is right for your home?

Depending on your property type, style, size, and personal requirements, choosing the right patio door can vary.

For traditional homes

For traditional, heritage, or retrofit properties, French doors are your best bet. This is because their classic style matches most historic architecture. Opt for wooden French doors to really embrace traditional design. Small cottages, quaint balconies, and charming bungalows are prime examples of applications that nicely complement French doors. Alternatively, if you prefer the functionality of sliding or bifold doors, they are also available in wood construction.

For modern homes

You’re truly spoiled for choice if you’ve upgraded your home to suit modern design. If you have a larger budget and wide enough space, sliding and bi-fold doors will add extra wow-factor. If you’re looking for a cost-effective alternative, uPVC or aluminium French doors also work really well. ATT Fabrications’ Heritage range offers a particularly nice modern feel. In terms of colour options, black patio doors offer a sleek and sophisticated look, and anthracite grey creates a more urban-industrial feel.

For sustainability goals

If you want your home to be as energy-efficient as possible, focus mainly on the materials rather than the style. Recycled aluminium patio doors are a great option, especially as they have a lifespan of around 45 years, so do not need regular replacing. Wooden patio doors with FSC certification indicate the timber has been sourced from responsibly managed forests which focus on preserving biodiversity. Glazing options that are more thermally efficient mean you’ll rely less on central heating and cooling systems which contribute to carbon emissions. Look for triple glazing that is argon-filled, or uses low-E glass coatings, as these have particularly low U-values.

For Entertaining

If you’re a homeowner who loves hosting BBQs, garden parties, and family gatherings, sliding patio doors are an excellent choice. Because they create the most seamless transition between indoors and outdoors, they make the perfect entrance for easy access to different areas of your property. Having them fully open will make all of your guests feel included in one space, and thanks to their space-saving feature, there is plenty of room for activities.

For accessibility

The main factor to consider for accessible patio doors is a low threshold. Low threshold patio doors typically have their track or frame reduced from 50-70mm high to 15mm-30mm high. These allow wheelchair users, elderly people, and people who require mobility aids to seamlessly enter and exit, without the risk of tripping or equipment catching. Sliding doors are the best way to install low thresholds, plus, they offer a wider, accessible entryway.

How much are patio doors?

One of the biggest deciding factors many homeowners face is the cost of new patio doors. With the price of the product and hardware plus installation to consider, this is a very important determiner. These costs are average figures, and may be more depending on size, amount of doors, bespoke measurements, glazing type, and personal customisations.

Final thoughts

It’s safe to say that when selecting the right patio door, you should consider the following:

• Size of your property/threshold
• Whether your house is older or newer
• Budget
• Personal requirements like accessibility features
• What you’ll use them for/how often you’ll use them

By now, you should be able to weigh up the pros and cons of each type, style, and material. But if you’re still undecided on which patio door to install, don’t worry! You can give our excellent DOOR SUPERSTORE customer service team a call on 01752 422 501 and we’ll be more than happy to help you with any further questions, and even provide a free quote tailored to your property.