Can you use rear bi-folding doors for frequent access?

tallac

We want to install large bi-folding doors to the rear of the house to give that modern open look to the garden. Something like this:


There is an existing rear door to the property and we're not sure if we should replace that door space with the new bi-folding doors or keep the door (which would mean a slightly smaller bi-folding doors). The reason why we want to get rid of the door is that we think it would look weird to have really nice big bi-folding doors and then a normal rear door to the side of that.

I anticipate rear access being useful for the semi-frequent rear access I might need. e.g. if I'm a little muddy from playing football then I would prefer to come in to the rear of the house rather than the front.

I know that the bi-folding doors can be opened one panel at a time so a single panel can be used like a normal door. But my question is, if we replace the normal door space with a large bi-folding door. Can the bi-folding door be used just the same as a normal door? I.e. is it as convenient to enter and exit as a normal door with regards to the locking/securing process?

Doozergirl

If you have an odd number of leaves to your bifolds, yes, one can be used as a normal door.  

We, and virtually all of our clients, are moving to sliding doors though.  Better sightlines when closed, easier to maintain and when the opening is particularly large, they realise that 2/3 or even just 1/2 opening for the occasional party is still a really large opening.   

tallac

Doozergirl said:

If you have an odd number of leaves to your bifolds, yes, one can be used as a normal door.  

We, and virtually all of our clients, are moving to sliding doors though.  Better sightlines when closed, easier to maintain and when the opening is particularly large, they realise that 2/3 or even just 1/2 opening for the occasional party is still a really large opening.   

This is a brilliant suggestion and I have warmed up to the idea. I originally dismissed it as my knee jerk reaction was I didn't like the thought of having half of the area still closed. But having really thought about it, I think even half opening would be more than enough and having less frame in view when closed is awesome.

Is there much cost difference between sliding and bi-folding? What's the typical cost of a mid-range sliding door of around 5 metres?

Are there any things to be aware of with sliding door access? e.g. security? Practicality of using it regularly? Thermal insulation qualities etc?

chrisw

I always associate sliding doors with patio doors of the 80s and 90s which you could lift off the track with a spade to break in. I fitted about 4 locks around ours to try and secure them but was never entirely convinced.

Hopefully they have moved on since then, although I would imagine they're less secure than french or bifold doors fitted with multipoint locking.

tallac

chrisw said:

I always associate sliding doors with patio doors of the 80s and 90s which you could lift off the track with a spade to break in. I fitted about 4 locks around ours to try and secure them but was never entirely convinced.

Hopefully they have moved on since then, although I would imagine they're less secure than french or bifold doors fitted with multipoint locking.

This security exploit is really worrying if it is still susceptible to modern sliding doors. I can't seem to see any marketing information indicating that they are protected against such attacks. Anyone have any more information about modern sliding doors?