Sliding Doors
Aluminium Patio Doors
About Aluminium Patio Doors
Patio doors is the everyday name for the big glazed doors onto a garden or terrace, and it covers two quite different systems. Sliding patio doors glide one panel behind another, keeping the glass in place and the sightlines at their slimmest, which suits a view you want to keep even when the doors are shut. Bifold patio doors fold back concertina-style and stack to one side, opening most of the wall but leaving frames visible when closed. We make and fit both in aluminium, made to measure, across London, Berkshire, Surrey, Kent and Essex. Which one is right depends on how wide the opening is, how often it will actually be opened, and whether the view or the opening matters more. For openings under about 1.8 metres, a pair of aluminium French doors is often the simpler answer.
On the sliding side, the choice is mainly about how much glass has to move. The Schüco ASS 50 and ASE 60/80 cover most garden openings, the Schüco ASS 70.HI lift-and-slide carries leaves up to 3m by 3m, and the Cortizo Cor Vision cuts the visible frame to 20mm. On the bifold side the decision turns on threshold, panel size and insulation, and our comparison of aluminium bifold door systems goes through all five.
Replacing an old patio door is usually the simpler job: if the opening stays the same size, there is no new lintel to design, and slim aluminium frames leave more glass than a bulky older frame. The new door still has to meet Part L in England, at 1.4 W/m²K or better or the equivalent Doorset Energy Rating, and its glass has to be toughened or laminated below 1500mm. Forming a new opening, or widening an existing one, usually needs a correctly sized lintel or steel with building control sign-off, so settle the door with your builder before the brickwork starts.
Bifold patio doors have published guide prices, from around £2,400 for 2 panels to £9,600 for 7, supplied and fitted including VAT. Sliding doors are priced from your sizes after a free survey, and our bifold doors vs sliding doors guide sets the two side by side on opening width, frames and everyday use.
How much do bifold doors cost? Our bifold door price guide sets out supplied-and-fitted guide prices for every panel count, from 2 to 7 panels.
Last reviewed 9 November 2026
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Key features
- Sliding patio doors for the slimmest sightlines and an uninterrupted view
- Bifold patio doors when you want the whole opening clear
- Made to measure in aluminium, no standard sizes
- Flush thresholds so there is no step out to the patio
- Thermally broken frames with sealed drainage for British weather
- Multi-point locking and toughened safety glass as standard
- Any RAL colour, with anthracite grey the most popular
- Double or triple glazing, including solar control and acoustic glass
Specifications
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Aluminium Patio Doors.
Are patio doors sliding or bifold?
Either. It is a general name for large glazed doors onto a garden or terrace. We make sliding and lift-and-slide patio doors, where panels pass one behind another, and bifold patio doors, where panels fold and gather at the side.
Which patio door suits a small patio or narrow garden?
Usually a sliding door, because nothing swings or stacks outside: the leaves stay within the line of the frame. An outward-opening bifold leaves its folded panels on the patio and an inward-opening set leaves them in the room, so that space has to be kept clear.
Can you replace my old patio doors in the same opening?
Yes. We survey the existing opening and make the new doors to fit, so it does not have to match a standard size. Changing only the door normally avoids structural work, although the new door still has to meet Building Regulations.
What U-value do replacement patio doors need?
In England the limit is 1.4 W/m²K, or the equivalent Doorset Energy Rating, under Approved Document L. The result depends on the system, glass and door size, so the figure for your doors comes with the quote.
How wide can aluminium patio doors go?
Commonly up to about 5.6m, in 2 to 7 panels for bifolds, and wider spans are possible. Sliding doors are limited by leaf size rather than panel count: the Schüco ASS 70.HI takes leaves up to 3000mm wide and a Cortizo Cor Vision door goes up to 4,000mm by 4,000mm overall.
How much do aluminium patio doors cost?
Bifold patio doors run from around £2,400 to £9,600 supplied and fitted including VAT, depending on panel count, system and glazing. Sliding doors depend on the leaf sizes and glass, so we price them from your opening after a free survey.
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