Kent · England
Bifold Doors in Kent
Old patio doors in Kent that leak, stick or let in draughts can be replaced with bifold doors that fold away to open up the room in summer.
- Guide from £3,595
- 23 towns covered
- Postcode areas BR, CT, DA, ME, TN
Bifolding doors for extensions in Kent: what to know
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 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.
The price of bifold doors depends on overall width and height, the number of panels, material and profile system, colour, glass specification, threshold type and the condition of the opening. Wide or very tall sets and triple glazing add cost. See the guide prices for typical ranges; the written quote fixes your figure.
Towns we cover for bifold doors in Kent
Choose your town for local details, nearby areas and the postcode districts we cover.
What applies in Kent
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.
In England, replacing a whole window, roof window or glazed external door is building work. It has to be notified to building control, either by an installer registered with a competent person scheme such as FENSA or Certass, or through a building notice to the council. Replacing only the glass in an existing frame is a repair and is not notifiable.
Kent has its own coastline, so for homes and businesses near the sea, salt air and wind-driven rain are part of the brief. Salt deposits gather in bifold tracks and on rollers, so coastal sets need more frequent cleaning, stainless or protected running gear, and a coating suited to marine exposure. Wind-driven rain makes a raised threshold or good drainage especially important on exposed elevations.
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.
Guide prices
| 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 |
Choosing your bifold doors
Timber bifolds
Engineered hardwood or softwood panels for a natural finish, factory coated and needing periodic re-coating over their life.
Glass specification
Toughened low-E double glazing as standard, with triple glazing, laminated security glass or solar-control coatings available.
Aluminium bifolds
Slim, stiff thermally broken panels that carry large glass units, powder coated in a wide range of colours and finishes.
Panel configuration
From two to seven or more panels, folding left, right or splitting both ways, with or without a separate traffic door.
Bifold Doors in Kent: questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
Which parts of Kent do you cover for bifold doors?
We cover the whole of Kent, including Maidstone, Gillingham, Chatham, Tunbridge Wells and Folkestone, and postcode areas BR, CT, DA, ME, TN. Building rules for bifold doors here follow the regulations for England. Enter your postcode on the quote form and we will confirm cover; then a glazier will arrange a free survey before giving you a written quote.
Other glazing services in Kent
- Replacement Glass in Kent
- Misted Glass Repair in Kent
- Emergency Glazing in Kent
- Safety Glass in Kent
- Window Repairs in Kent
- Window Film in Kent
- uPVC Windows in Kent
- Aluminium Windows in Kent
- Sash Windows in Kent
- Composite Doors in Kent
- Sliding Doors in Kent
- Secondary Glazing in Kent
- Roof Lanterns in Kent
- Glass Balustrades in Kent
- Frameless Glass in Kent
- Shower Screens in Kent
- Glass Splashbacks in Kent
- Bespoke Mirrors in Kent
- Glass Roofs in Kent
- Shopfront Glazing in Kent
- Curtain Walling in Kent
- Glass Partitions in Kent
- Property Glazing in Kent
Get a written quote in Kent
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.