BRING THE OUTSIDE IN WITH BI FOLDING DOORS: THE MOST POPULAR HOME IMPROVEMENT
Bifold Doors - Manchester & Cheshire
Aluminium bifold doors are one of the most popular home improvements we offer. Buy bi fold doors to bring light and space into your home while providing easy access to your outside area.
We stock a range of bi folding doors in Manchester which we have fitted in many Greater Manchester and Cheshire homes. Whether you live in Stockport or Salford, we can help you fit bi fold doors into your house.
Our range includes internal folding doors, as well as aluminium bifold doors for gardens and outdoor areas. Our Cheshire bi-fold doors are manufactured from dedicated profiles designed by Smart Systems, one of the UK’s leading architectural aluminium system suppliers. Smart’s Visofold series of aluminium bifold doors have been available in the UK and Europe for a number of years offering both domestic and commercial folding door applications.
Flexible Options
Searching for made to measure bifold doors in Manchester and the surrounding areas? Our aluminium bifolding doors are manufactured from slim 60mm thermally broken profiles to ensure maximum glass widths can be achieved using the minimum number of panels. These materials are ideal for internal bifold doors, as it allows for more natural light and unobstructed views of the outside world. There are no additional mullions required between the panels that broaden the sight lines so when panels are folding and sliding in the same direction, the width of the aluminium from edge of glass to edge of glass is just 132mm. The use of aluminium on our glass bifold doors is ideal in Manchester and the North of England, as it is durable and weather-resistant; perfect for rainy and cold spells.
Handle Options
The door handles for our bifold doors in Manchester are lever handles. These operate using a hook bolt locking system and provide external key access whilst intermediate panel shoot bolt locking is operated by internal fold-flat handles. Handles are available in white, chrome or black finishes but can be supplied to any RAL colour at extra cost. Please note that the style of traffic door handles will differ when RAL colour handles are specified. ‘D’ handles (black or chrome only) are fitted to the hinges of the intermediate panels to allow easy opening and closing of the folding doors. The handles of our aluminium bifolding doors mean that you are able to easily open the door from inside and out, making the transition between spaces smooth and simple.
Low Threshold Option
Our experienced team have fitted hundreds of folding doors in Cheshire homes, including those which require a low threshold. The Visofold 1000 aluminium bifolding doors feature strong, durable profiles and a choice of low or weathered thresholds. The non-weathered low threshold provides the opportunity to create flush floor levels between two living spaces by sinking the threshold into the floor and merging the two floor areas into one. This is particularly useful for room dividers or for doors installed between the main house and conservatory where they are often left open most of the time. Our made-to-measure bifold doors are designed to suit a range of needs and spaces. Contact us on [] to find out how our team can help you if you are looking to fit bifolding doors in Greater Manchester.
Areas we Cover
We service clients in Greater Manchester and around Cheshire and the North West, and we have fit bi fold doors into homes in several areas. These include:
Main Features of our Cheshire Bifolding Doors
Our bi-fold doors are high-quality, durable and made-to-measure. With several features that make them stand out from the competition, our folding doors include the following main features:
Frequently Asked Questions, click to Read More
What is a bifold door?
Bi folding doors use a hinge mechanism that allows them to fold in on themselves when they open, rather than swinging or sliding open like other doors. They are an ideal option for those who want to let more natural light in from the outside, as they have larger glass panels than traditional swing doors. They also create easier access between spaces, and are commonly used to open out spaces between kitchens, conservatories and patio areas.
How much do bi-folding doors cost in Manchester?
The 2021 bifold door costs in Manchester and the North West vary depending on the size and material of the door.
Aluminium doors tend to be more expensive than wooden bifolding doors: the average cost for a timber bifold door is between £1,399-£3,469 while an aluminium folding door costs anywhere from £1,899-£5,699.
The size of the door also plays an important role in the final costs. The average price for a small bifold door (which is around 2.7m) is £600 approximately. The average price for a big bifold door (around 4.7m) is £950.
External vs internal folding doors: what’s the difference?
When people describe ‘external’ or ‘internal’ folding doors, they are describing the way that the folding mechanism works.
When you decide to buy a bifolding door for your home, you can either opt for one which stacks outwards (externally) or inwards (internally).
Homes with less space can benefit from opting for external stacking bi fold doors, as this allows for maximum space inside once the door is opened.
However, if your patio area is smaller or you use patio furniture that may be obstructed by the stacking, it may be better to choose internal bi fold doors instead.
What are standard bifold door sizes?
Bi-folding doors, including folding aluminium doors come in the following standard sizes:
- 1.8m/6ft (usually containing 2 panels)
- 2.1m/7ft (3 panels)
- 2.4m/8ft (3 panels)
- 2.7m (9ft) (3 panels)
- 3.0(10ft) (4 panels)
- 3.6m (12ft) (4 panels)
- 4.0m (13ft) (4 panels)
- 4.2m (14ft) (5 panels)
- 4.8m (16ft) (5 panels)
- 5m (16ft) (5 panels)
- 6m (10ft) (6 panels)
Are bifold doors more expensive than sliding doors?
Broadly speaking, bi-folding doors tend to be more costly than sliding doors, though it depends on several factors such as the space, materials and location of the door itself.
Because bi-folding aluminium doors are made using more aluminium than standard sliding door models, this often makes them more expensive as a model.
However, bi-fold doors tend to be more durable and last longer, as the stacking mechanism used to open them is less prone to wear and tear and faults as those used in some sliding doors.
Bifolding doors also tend to cut costs for homeowners in the long term. This is because they use glazed panels of glass which keep the warmth in more effectively. This means that, once you have installed the door, the U-value (thermal efficiency) of your home will be better and you will save money on heating and electricity bills.
Are bi-folding doors worth it for small rooms?
A folding door is ideal in a smaller space, such as a conservatory or small kitchen. This is because it lets in more light from outdoor areas or windowed rooms. This can help to open up smaller spaces and drastically change the appearance of a room.
On patios, bi-folding doors have an advantage over French doors and traditional doorways, because they allow for a wider opening, which is also helpful if you plan to open up small rooms.
What does a bifold installation involve?
Fitting bi-fold doors can be a timely process, and it is important that fitters get each aspect right to ensure a high quality finish.
First Choice Extension’s steps for installing bifolding doors in Manchester include:
- Preparing the opening
- Assembling the door’s frame
- Installing the assembled frame
- Fitting the pivot hinges
- Hanging the doors in place
- Fitting the drop bolts
- Fitting the locks and lever handles
- Adjusting the door to ensure it fits in place and can be easily opened and closed
- Fitting the door handles
Our experienced team will assess your opening and fit in a corresponding bifolding aluminium door. Our doors are made to measure your space, and we will ensure they are fit with a professional finish.
Do you sell glazed bifold doors?
We sell bifold double glazed doors, designed to keep the warmth in and improve the U-value (thermal efficiency) of your home.
Our range of bifold double glazed patio doors are ideal if you wish to create a larger entrance from your patio to your kitchen or conservatory as well as letting in more natural light, but you also don’t want to lose heat while doing this.
What are the different types of bi-fold doors in Greater Manchester?
We have worked on a range of projects involving bifolding doors; Manchester and Cheshire-based residents with varying sized homes and entrance-ways have chosen to have them installed during the renovation or extension process of a project.
These kinds of folding doors come in many different varieties, including:
- External bifolding doors (like outside patio doors or outside conservatory doors)
- Internal folding doors (also known as interior bifold doors)
- Aluminium bi fold doors
- Wooden folding doors (including timber bifold doors)
- Glass bifold doors
- UPVC bifold doors
- Composite bifold doors
At First Choice Extensions, we specialise in supplying and fitting made-to-measure aluminium bifolding doors. These are durable and high quality, and can be used externally or internally as they are suitable for all weather conditions. These doors are created from slim 60mm thermally broken profiles to ensure maximum glass widths with a minimum number of panels can be achieved. This makes them ideal if you want to improve the thermal efficiency of your home.
Do Manchester bifold doors add value?
Bi-folding doors can add a significant amount of value to a property, with estimates saying that adding a folding door can increase the resale property value by between 5 and 10%.
Experts say that folding doors increase the ‘wow factor’ of a property, which is why they help to generate higher offer values.
What’s more, properties that include bi-folding door-ways in them have a much better thermal efficiency (which means they keep heat in more naturally and require less heating costs during cold months). This is often referred to as U-value. The U-value of a home helps to improve its overall value when it comes to resale.
From start to finish the service from First Choice Extensions has been excellent and really professional. We had a dormer loft conversion done in what was a smaller size loft. They helped us with drawings to maximise space and created a stunning spacious loft area with an en-suite bathroom. Any snags were quickly quickly rectified with no fuss. The build itself was made significantly less intrusive by the creative way they accessed the loft space via scaffolding for the majority of the works. We have no hesitation in recommending them.
I would recommend First Choice Extensions. We had, what turned out to be, a complicated renovation of our 1899 semi-detached house. The project was to create a utility room off the hallway into a reception room and to take out and replace the kitchen. We also had a new cylinder based boiler/heating system installed. The kitchen involved the removal of a chimney breast, the removal of the existing door and window and replaced with a bi-folding door. We also ended up having the floor taken out and replaced to ensure it was at the same level as the rest of the house. Underfloor heating was installed, new kitchen units from AS Kitchens and a feature brick slip wall. First Choice were able to meet all of the requirements and challenges discovered on the way. When we get around to it, we are hoping to use First Choice again for our loft conversion.
We have been delighted with the work from First Choice Extensions. There has been excellent communication and the team has cultivated a level of trust over the project that put us at ease. We particularly liked the transparency in the planning stage, where Tony gave us plenty of time to understand our designs and over the following weeks he was very patient, answering all our questions until we felt comfortable to commit. We didn’t feel rushed or pressured at any stage. During work the whole team was friendly and professional, they were also understanding of our son’s sensory needs and were thoughtful in letting us know when particularly noisy things were about to happen. They even brought him a pair of ear defenders which was a very nice touch. The work has been to a high standard and the team have been focused on making sure the final finish is excellent and that we are happy. When small issues have cropped up they have reassured us that everything will get sorted and they have delivered on that promise completely. We are grateful for the attention to detail and customer focus and we are really happy with our new family space. We would not hesitate to recommend them.
We chose First Choice as wanted our extension managed by just the one contact rather than us having to source lots of suppliers - it was important to us to have someone project manage the whole thing - both having busy jobs and working full time we didn’t have the time to arrange all the different elements that comes with having an extension. FCE provided lots of advice at quote stage and was prompt with the turnaround of quote and always on the other end of the phone before and all throughout the works taking place. We were happy with the price and knew we were in good hands. We now have the large kitchen and dining area we always wanted and are thrilled with the outcome; we love it! Thank you, First Choice Extensions.
Our build was finished on time (would had been early if it were not for Corona virus!), Very polite staff and nothing was a problem! I would highly recommend FCE and the team to anyone.
When we knew we wanted to have the work done (extension on the back of the house to open-up a larger Kitchen Diner), we did not really know where to start. We gave Tony a call on our friend’s recommendation, and I am glad we did! From start to finish, Tony and his team were brilliant. It is pretty daunting having building work done but First Choice Extensions made sure it was a smooth as it could be. Communication was first class; completions were on time and if there were ever any issues, they were always quick to respond and rectify. Using First Choice Extensions network, we were able to pretty much kit out the entire build and the team were always accommodating with other trades when on site. The attention to detail on finish is second to none! When it comes to after sales service, I have been blown away. Tony always picks up the phone, and no matter how big or small the issue, will be over to take a look. I can’t recommend these guys enough!
Further to my five star review of First Choice Extensions I would like to say how delighted we are with our new home. It has the real wow factor we were hoping for and we are so pleased we chose First Choice Extensions for our project. The renovation was delivered on time and within budget. The FCE team was very transparent with both costs and timescales and his communication was excellent. He was always at the end of the phone if we had a query and always came up with a solution for any problems we encountered.
We needed a single storey extension and were recommended First Choice Extensions by friends. They helped us with ideas prior to planning and the price was reasonable. The workforce were friendly, honest and easy to have around. We would certainly be happy to recommend the FCE team.
What we loved about First Choice Extensions was their transparency, they are very detailed in providing schedules of work, realistic time scales, and very well detailed costs. We are very happy with the finished work, our home is absolutely gorgeous, many thanks to the First Choice Extensions team.
Excellent work done by First Choice Extensions and the team. We ended up going for a loft conversion and an amazing job was done. Highly recommend FCE for their professionalism and help throughout the process.
As First Choice Extensions were very competitively priced and recommended by friends, I used them to do a loft conversion and re-modelling the downstairs of my bungalow. All works were completed to a high standard and on schedule. I would definitely recommend them.
Great service. I would highly recommend them and all ready have. First Choice are easy to contact and to talk to, friendly, extremely helpful, clean, tidy and efficient. Great service competitive cost.
One Word, Fantastic. Always there on time, work perfect, reliable. All the guys are friendly and helpful, pricing is competitive. Would definitely recommend them.
Really great service, price and workmanship. A pleasure to deal with.
So pleased we used them twice! First Choice Extensions designed and constructed our loft conversion and subsequently our kitchen extension. They were on time, on budget and we we're delighted with their work on both projects. FCE were responsive, personable and trustworthy.
Garden wall and gate. Came at short notice when I was let down by a 3rd party. Can’t recommend more highly.