Patio Doors: Which Style Should You Choose?
Patio doors are a fantastic addition to any home, creating a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living spaces. Not only do they add aesthetic appeal, but they also bring in more natural light, provide better ventilation, and increase accessibility. If you're thinking of upgrading your patio doors or installing brand-new ones, you may be wondering what styles are available, and which one is best for your project…
Benefits of patio doors
Before we dive into the different patio door styles, let's talk about why you should consider investing in them. Patio doors offer several benefits that can enhance your home and quality of life.
Natural light
Firstly, patio doors allow more light into your home, making your space brighter and more inviting. Did you know that natural light is essential for our physical and mental well-being?
In recent years, more emphasis has been put on our mental health, and as such the need for natural light has never been more important. Similarly, since the pandemic more and more people are opting to work from home, or on a flexible, hybrid-remote basis. This is where patio doors come in handy to provide that much-needed natural light into every room — particularly an office space.
Better ventilation
If you enjoy fresh air, then you'll love patio doors. They provide excellent ventilation, allowing for better air circulation and a healthier indoor environment.
Patio doors can be fitted within any wall on the ground floor, but they are typically fitted to lead into your garden or outdoor space — hence their ‘patio’ name. Patio doors provide ample fresh air, particularly during the spring and summer months, allowing for a significant, comfortable airflow around your home throughout the year.
Accessibility
For people with limited mobility, patio doors offer easy access to outdoor spaces. They eliminate barriers and make it easier to navigate between indoor and outdoor areas, especially as the space between the patio door and the patio is very minimal.
Patio doors are wide structures that allow for a lot of light, flexibility and space. For wheelchair users, patio doors are incredibly easy to fit a ramp, and are wide enough to accommodate wheelchair access, meaning that patio doors pose fewer accessibility restrictions compared to other door styles
Aesthetic appeal
Patio doors add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your home. They come in a variety of styles and materials, allowing you to customise them to fit your personal taste.
Patio doors offer a seamless transition from indoor to outdoor living spaces, creating an open and airy feel to the interior. This design feature also maximises natural light, which enhances the overall visual appeal of a room. At Flying Doors, all of our patio doors come in a variety of styles, materials, and colours, making it easy to find a design that complements the home's aesthetic.
What are the differences between French, sliding, and bifold patio doors?
Overall, it’s clear that patio doors are an incredibly popular, versatile option when it comes to installing a new set of doors for your project. They allow for a large amount of natural light, as well as ease of access and aesthetics. But what different patio door styles are available, and which is best for your home?
French patio doors
French patio doors are a classic and elegant option. They consist of two doors that open outwards from the centre, creating a grand entrance to your patio. Similar to bifold doors, French doors typically have large glass panels, providing an unobstructed view of your outdoor space.
They also come in a variety of materials, including wood, vinyl, and fibreglass, which means that you can choose a material that will suit your lifestyle needs perfectly. For example; uPVC or fibreglass doors are incredibly easy to clean - they’re perfect if you have little ones running around.
Bifold patio doors
Bifold patio doors are a more recent addition to the patio door family. They consist of multiple panels that fold in on themselves, creating a wide opening to your patio. Bifold doors are great for larger spaces because they can create a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor areas.
Bifold patio doors are an ideal choice for entertaining, as they can create an open and inviting atmosphere. Not just that, they provide an unobstructed view of the outdoors, and their multiple panels permit the maximum amount of space for hosting - perfect for summer barbecues, garden parties, and celebratory gatherings.
Sliding patio doors
Sliding patio doors are a popular choice for modern homes. They consist of two or more panels that slide horizontally, creating a wide opening to your patio. Sliding doors are also easy to operate and require minimal space, making them an ideal option for homes with limited floor space.
They also provide excellent ventilation, allowing fresh air to circulate throughout the home, especially during the spring and summer months. Sliding patio doors are the perfect doors for entertaining, as like bifold doors they completely open up your space for natural light and fresh air. Unlike bifold doors, however, they are smaller and more discrete as they only have two glass panels.
Which patio door style is best for your home?
Choosing the right patio door style depends on several factors, including your home's architecture, your personal taste, and your budget. Here are some things to consider when deciding on a patio door style.
Home architecture
Your patio door should complement your home's architecture, so it’s important to make sure you choose a style that will fit well with your existing property. French doors are great for traditional homes, such as cottages and homes with thatched roofs. They can add a quaint touch to your home.
On the other hand, sliding patio doors are better suited for modern homes as they offer a sleeker, more minimal look that doesn’t contrast too much with a contemporary aesthetic. If you’re looking for a patio door that works well in both traditional and modern homes, bifold patio doors are the perfect choice. Whilst typically, bifold patio doors are more suited to modern homes, the customisation offered at Flying Doors means you can tailor your bifold patio door to your home’s unique aesthetic.
Budget
Patio doors come in a range of prices, so it's important to consider your budget when making a decision. French doors are typically the cheapest, while sliding and bifold doors are a little more expensive, but roughly the same in cost.
At Flying Doors, all of our products are sold at trade prices. We pride ourselves on ensuring you get the best value for money whatever style you choose.
Affordable upgrades with Flying Doors
Flying Doors is your go-to supplier for high-quality composite doors in the UK. All our doors and windows are manufactured locally, using premium materials to ensure maximum security, practicality, and aesthetic appeal.
Whether you're renovating your home or moving into a new one, patio doors are an excellent investment. And with our 10-year guarantee you can invest with confidence. Our doors are made-to-measure to fit any property, and our in-house delivery ensures that your doors are delivered in top condition.
Browse our selection of sliding patio doors and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions including how to fix patio doors that have dropped— our team is always here to help.