Types of Patio Doors | Sliding, French & Bifold Guide

Patio doors do more than connect your home to the outdoors. They shape how natural light enters your space, influence your home’s energy efficiency, and define the overall aesthetic of your property. With several designs available, choosing the right style can make a real difference to how your living space feels and functions.

In this guide, we explore the most popular types of patio doors found across UK homes - including sliding, French and bifold designs. While DOVISTA specialises in high-performance sliding patio doors, the information below provides a helpful overview of all common options so you can understand how they differ and which style best suits your property.

Sliding Patio Doors

What Are Sliding Patio Doors?

Sliding patio doors feature large glass panels that glide smoothly along a horizontal track instead of opening inwards or outwards. This makes them an excellent space-saving option, while also maximising daylight and giving you an uninterrupted view of your garden or outdoor space. Their clean, contemporary look makes them a popular choice for modern homes.

Benefits of Sliding Patio Doors

Sliding patio doors are chosen for their simplicity, practicality and sleek design. Key advantages include:

• Space-saving design because the panels slide within the frame, no clearance is required indoors or outdoors.
• Excellent natural light and garden views. Large glazed panels help brighten living spaces and create a stronger connection to the outdoors.
• Smooth, effortless operation. High-quality sliding mechanisms make them easy to open and close.
• Modern, minimal appearance. Their slim frames and wide glass areas suit contemporary architecture beautifully.

Things to Consider

Like all patio door styles, sliding systems have characteristics worth thinking about:

• Opening width varies by configuration
  Two-panel designs typically open to one side, while multi-panel systems can provide a much wider clear opening.
• Tracks need occasional cleaning
  Keeping the track free of debris helps maintain smooth operation.
• Ventilation differs from hinged doors
  Sliding panels offer controlled airflow rather than a fully open aperture.

Best For

Sliding patio doors are ideal for homes where space is limited or where a modern, streamlined look is preferred. They are especially effective for maximising light, improving garden views and creating an open, airy feel without requiring additional room for door swing.

French Patio Doors

What Are French Patio Doors?

French patio doors consist of two hinged doors that open from the centre, creating a classic and elegant entrance to your garden or outdoor space. They can open inwards or outwards depending on the layout of your home, and their traditional design makes them a favourite for properties that want to retain period charm or character.

Benefits of French Patio Doors

French doors appeal to homeowners who want a timeless look with practical everyday use. Their main advantages include:

• Timeless, classic appearance. Their symmetrical design and traditional detailing suit older homes, cottages and character properties.
• Wide, accessible opening. When fully opened, both door leaves allow easy movement between indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Strong thermal performance. Modern French doors can offer excellent insulation with high-quality glazing and secure seals.
• Secure, reliable locking. Multi-point locking systems provide peace of mind and help protect your home.

Things to Consider

While French doors offer style and charm, it’s worth keeping a few practical points in mind:

• They require space to open. Hinged panels need clear room inside or outside, which may affect furniture placement.
• Less glass area than sliding or bifold doors. The larger frames can reduce the total light entering the room compared with other door styles.
• Hinges benefit from periodic maintenance. Keeping hinges and seals well maintained helps ensure smooth operation over time.

Best For

French patio doors are ideal for traditional or period-style homes where character and architectural detail matter. They’re a great choice when you want a homely, classic connection to your garden rather than a large, fully glazed opening.

Bifold Patio Doors

What Are Bifold Patio Doors?

Bifold patio doors are made up of multiple glass panels that fold neatly to one side along a guided track. When opened, the panels stack together in a compact bundle, creating a wide, seamless opening between the indoors and outdoors. Their ability to connect living spaces with the garden makes them a popular choice in contemporary homes.

Benefits of Bifold Patio Doors

Homeowners choose bifold doors for the sense of openness they create and the flexibility they offer. Key advantages include:

• A fully openable space. When folded back, the entire doorway can be opened, creating an almost uninterrupted transition to the garden.
• Excellent natural light. Large glazed panels brighten interiors and help create an airy, open plan feel.
• Modern, stylish appearance. Their clean lines and folding mechanism complement contemporary architecture.
• Flexible configurations. Multiple panel options mean bifold doors can be tailored to suit a range of opening sizes.

Things to Consider

While bifold doors offer impressive functionality, it’s important to consider a few practical points:

• They require space for the stacked panels
  When open, the folding panels need room to sit either inside or outside the property.
• More complex installation
  The folding mechanism and multiple panels can make installation more intricate than simpler door styles.
• Higher cost compared with sliding or French doors
  Bifold systems can be one of the more premium patio door options.

Best For

Bifold patio doors are ideal for modern homes, extensions and open-plan living areas where a wide, seamless opening is desired. They suit homeowners who love entertaining or want to create a strong indoor–outdoor connection during warmer months.

Comparing Patio Door Types

With three main styles to choose from, it can be difficult to know which type of patio door is best for your home. The table below provides a quick comparison of sliding, French and bifold patio doors, helping you weigh up their main features, benefits and considerations.

Each design has its own strengths. Sliding doors are great for space saving and modern aesthetics, French doors offer timeless charm, and bifold doors provide the ultimate open-plan experience.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Patio Doors

Before deciding which patio door style is right for your home, it helps to think about how you plan to use the space and what matters most to you. The right choice will depend on factors such as layout, design preference and performance.

1. Available Space

Consider how much room you have for your doors to open. Sliding and bifold patio doors are ideal for tighter spaces as they do not need clearance for swinging panels. French doors, on the other hand, require more space to open fully but create a beautiful, classic entrance when room allows.

2. Natural Light and Views

If you want to maximise natural light and enjoy a clear view of your garden, sliding or bifold patio doors are excellent options. Their wide glass panels make interiors feel brighter and more open.

3. Thermal Performance

Energy efficiency is an important consideration for any home. Look for patio doors with high-quality glazing and insulated frames that help maintain a comfortable indoor temperature throughout the year.

4. Security Features

Modern patio doors include advanced locking systems and toughened glazing to improve security. Always check that your chosen design meets recognised safety standards.

5. Frame Materials

uPVC, aluminium and timber are the most common frame materials. uPVC offers excellent value and minimal maintenance, aluminium provides a slim and modern look, and timber delivers natural warmth and traditional charm.

Why Choose DOVISTA Sliding Patio Doors

At DOVISTA, we focus on delivering high-quality sliding door systems engineered for comfort, simplicity and durability. Our Single and Double Sliding Doors are designed to maximise natural light, improve energy efficiency and create a smooth connection between your home and garden.

While French and bifold patio doors remain popular in the wider UK market, homeowners who choose DOVISTA benefit from the advantages of a precision-engineered sliding system, including:

• Smooth, easy operation with no need for swing-space
• Large glazed panels that brighten interiors
• Excellent thermal performance with modern glazing options
• Secure, robust frames designed for long-lasting reliability

If you are looking for a modern, space-saving patio solution, DOVISTA Sliding Doors offer a clean, contemporary aesthetic that complements a wide range of home styles.

Explore our full range of sliding doors or visit our showroom to experience the quality and craftsmanship in person.