Coulsdon · Greater London
Bifold Doors in Coulsdon
Old patio doors in Coulsdon that leak, stick or let in draughts can be replaced with bifold doors that fold away to open up the room in summer.
- CR5
- CR8
- SM7
- Guide from £3,595
Coulsdon: folding patio doors
The number of panels sets how the doors open. Odd numbers, such as three or five panels, usually include a traffic door that opens on its own for everyday use. Even numbers can split to both sides. Panels can fold inwards or outwards, and outward folding keeps the room clear.
Bifold door tracks need keeping clean: vacuum or brush grit from the bottom track and drainage slots regularly, wipe frames with mild soapy water and lightly lubricate the locking points. Panels that drag or catch usually need adjustment at the hinges or rollers, which a glazier can carry out.
Creating a new bifold opening in an external wall is structural work that needs building regulations approval and a correctly sized lintel or steel beam. Replacing existing doors in the same opening is simpler. Planning permission may also be needed for new openings in listed buildings, flats or conservation areas.
Bifold doors are glazed down to floor level, so every pane needs safety glass. In England, Approved Document K treats glazing in doors within 1500mm of the floor as a critical location. Units are usually toughened, with laminated glass added where extra security or protection against falls is wanted.
What you get
- Toughened or laminated safety glass to every panel
- Survey of the opening, support above and floor levels
- Made-to-measure bifold doorset in your chosen colour
- Removal and disposal of any existing doors
About Coulsdon for this job
- Postcodes covered
- CR5, CR8, SM7 and the surrounding area, including Purley, Banstead and Wallington
- Coast
- Coulsdon is well inland, around 38 km from the nearest coast, so salt exposure is not usually a factor.
- Daylight and sun
- In Coulsdon the midwinter sun reaches about 15° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 7.6 hours of daylight, rising to about 62° and 16.4 hours in midsummer. A wide bifold opening on a south or west-facing wall brings in strong sun and can overheat a room, so solar-control glass or integral blinds may help. North-facing bifolds benefit from high light-transmission low-E glass to make the most of winter daylight.
- Access and setting
- Rural gardens often slope or sit lower than the floor, so threshold height and drainage need careful planning. Exposed open sites benefit from stiffer aluminium systems, raised thresholds and outward-opening doors that seal against the wind.
- Rules in England
- Approved Document K requires safety glass in critical locations in England: glazing in doors and in side panels within 300 mm of a door, up to 1500 mm above floor level, and any glazing in walls or partitions up to 800 mm above floor level.
Guide prices in Coulsdon
| Typical job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Aluminium bifold, 2400 mm wide | £4,295 – £5,495 |
| Aluminium bifold, 3000 mm wide | £5,095 – £6,595 |
| Aluminium bifold, 4800 mm wide | £7,495 – £9,595 |
| uPVC bifold, 3000 mm wide | £3,595 – £4,595 |
Get a guide price for your size
Approved Document Q applies to new homes in England, where doors and windows are expected to meet PAS 24 or an equivalent standard. It does not apply to replacements in existing homes, but PAS 24 products are still a sensible choice.
What you can choose
uPVC bifolds
A lower-cost option with bulkier frames, suited to smaller openings with fewer panels, available in white, grey and woodgrain foils.
Aluminium bifolds
Slim, stiff thermally broken panels that carry large glass units, powder coated in a wide range of colours and finishes.
Low or flush threshold
A low-profile track for near level access between inside and out, paired with drainage outside and some shelter.
Bifold Doors in Coulsdon: questions
How much do bifold doors cost?
The cost of bifold doors depends on the opening width and height, number of panels, material, colour, glass, threshold type and the condition of the opening. Aluminium usually costs more than uPVC, and wider sets, triple glazing and special finishes add more. See the guide prices for typical ranges; the written quote fixes the price for your specification.
How long does it take to fit bifold doors?
Fitting a typical set of bifold doors takes one to two days on site, depending on width, removal of old doors and making good around the opening. The doors are manufactured to the survey sizes first, and the lead time depends on the system and colour; it is confirmed in writing when you accept the quote.
Can I fit bifold doors in a conservation area or a flat?
Possibly, but you may need permission first. Flats and maisonettes do not have the same permitted development rights as houses, and listed buildings need consent for significant works. Conservation areas and Article 4 directions can restrict changes visible from the street. Check with your council before ordering; the council can tell you what an application needs, and we can provide product details and specifications to support it.
Are bifold doors secure?
Good bifold doors are secure when the traffic door has a multi-point lock and anti-snap cylinder, the other panels have shoot bolts top and bottom, the glass is internally beaded and the hinges and track resist lifting. Ask whether the system has been tested to PAS 24, and consider laminated glass for ground-floor doors.
Do you cover Coulsdon for bifold doors?
Yes. We can quote for bifold doors across Coulsdon and the surrounding Greater London area, including postcode districts CR5, CR8 and SM7, and nearby Purley, Banstead and Wallington. Start with your postcode on the quote form and a glazier will arrange a free survey before giving you a written quote.
Get a written quote in Coulsdon
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.