Greenwich · Greater London
Bifold Doors in Greenwich
Bifold doors in Greenwich can open almost the full width of your kitchen or extension to the garden, and our glaziers survey the opening before you receive a fixed written quote.
- SE3
- SE7
- SE10
- SE12
- Guide from £3,595
About bifolding doors for extensions in Greenwich
Bifold door panels have wider frames where they meet than a sliding door, because each panel needs its own frame and hinges. A five-panel set shows four vertical sightlines when closed. If the view matters more than a fully open wall, a sliding door may suit better, so compare both.
In England, replacement doors with more than 60% of the internal face glazed should achieve a U-value of 1.4 W/m²K or a Doorset Energy Rating of band C under Approved Document L. New openings in extensions are assessed with the whole extension, and large glazed areas may need energy calculations.
Bifold doors run on rollers along a track, either top-hung with the weight carried by the head or bottom-rolling with the weight on the threshold. Top-hung systems depend on a strong, stiff lintel or steel above, so the glazier checks support before ordering, because sagging heads cause doors to bind.
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 a typical job includes
- Written guarantee terms and advice on building regulations sign-off
- Fitting, levelling, adjusting and sealing the frame
- Toughened or laminated safety glass to every panel
- Removal and disposal of any existing doors
About Greenwich for this job
- Postcodes covered
- SE3, SE7, SE10, SE12 and the surrounding area, including Blackheath, Lewisham and Catford
- Coast
- Greenwich is well inland, around 26 km from the nearest coast, so salt exposure is not usually a factor.
- Daylight and sun
- In Greenwich 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 Greenwich
| 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
Listed buildings in England need listed building consent for most changes to historic windows or glass, and conservation areas can restrict changes visible from the street. Speak to the council's conservation officer before ordering.
Choosing your bifold doors
Glass specification
Toughened low-E double glazing as standard, with triple glazing, laminated security glass or solar-control coatings available.
uPVC bifolds
A lower-cost option with bulkier frames, suited to smaller openings with fewer panels, available in white, grey and woodgrain foils.
Integrated blinds
Blinds sealed between the panes of each unit, controlled by a magnetic slider, so they never need dusting or catch on folding.
Bifold Doors in Greenwich: questions
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.
Do bifold doors need building regulations approval?
Yes. Fully glazed replacement doors like these are controlled fittings, and in England an installer registered with a competent person scheme can self-certify them, or building control approves the work. A new or widened opening is structural work and needs building control approval for the lintel or steel. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland set their own requirements.
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.
Do bifold doors leak or let in draughts?
Well-made bifold doors fitted level and square should keep out wind and rain, but they rely on accurate installation, a sound lintel and working drainage. Leaks usually come from blocked track drainage, a flush threshold on an exposed elevation or panels that have dropped out of adjustment. Keeping the tracks clean prevents most problems.
Do you cover Greenwich for bifold doors?
Yes. We can quote for bifold doors across Greenwich and the surrounding Greater London area, including postcode districts SE3, SE7, SE10 and SE12, and nearby Blackheath, Lewisham and Catford. 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 Greenwich
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.