Popular Patio Door Styles

What are the most popular patio door styles? Connecting your inside and outside living spaces in the most stylish and cohesive way can help your home to feel more open, spacious and full of natural light. However, when most people think of patio doors, their minds often go straight to sliding doors. While these remain a popular design, they aren't the only patio doors out there.

If you’re looking at available patio door styles for your home, you should consider all of your options. You could choose French doors, which open in two halves, or bifold doors with multiple glass panels that fold open in a concertina style. Whichever you prefer, you can find the perfect fit for your home.

At FENSA, we ensure homeowners get compliant installations from installers who are able to self-certify when the job is done. As a result, you can rest assured that you will receive energy efficient replacement doors that are registered with building regulations, and you’ll receive your FENSA certificate when the job is done. 

Sliding Patio Doors

Sliding patio doors are perhaps the most recognisable of the patio door styles. They are a simple design, with a large double glazing panel surrounded by slimline uPVC or aluminium profiles. Sliding doors operate on an in-line slider, which gives these doors their distinctive opening. All you have to do is push or pull the doors across, and the whole system moves away to reveal a wide-open entrance.

These are one of the most popular patio door styles for several reasons. For example, the large glass panel offers uninterrupted views of the outside world, and plenty of natural light can come into your home. Additionally, sliding patio doors create a seamless connection to the outside world, making your patio or your garden feel closer even when the doors are closed. As a result, they have been a classic for many years and their popularity looks set to continue. 

French Patio Doors

However, you could select other patio door styles for your home. One option, French patio doors, open in two halves, often both inwards and outwards. Double doors like these have a broad opening, allowing you to make an eye-catching entrance to and from your home and garden. French doors can be a durable option, as they have less glass and more profile in their design, giving the doors excellent strength.

Not only that, modern French doors are impressively weatherproof, meaning they won't wear down and will continue to operate smoothly. In comparison to other styles, it’s worth bearing in mind that French doors have a swing arc, which means they take up more space than sliding patio doors, so you’ll want to consider all aspects before you make your choice to understand which is right for you.

Bifold Patio Doors

On the other hand, you may want to consider bifold doors as your patio door style of choice. Their folding design is sure to be a standout addition. Bifold doors operate on an in-line slider, much like traditional sliding patio doors. However, instead of one glass panel coming across, there are several - each one folds on each other, meaning the whole system stacks neatly in the corner of the room.

Bifold doors have an ingenious design, and you can use them as a partition as well as an opening. You can also add a low-threshold option to make these doors more accessible for your home. Depending on your preferences and specifications, this could turn out to be a more expensive option. Therefore, choosing the right design for your home will depend on your budget and the look and feel you are striving for.

Patio Doors from FENSA Approved Installers

No matter which patio door styles suit you, getting them installed properly is crucial. FENSA Approved Installers will carry out installations that are compliant with building regulations which can be self-certified. By looking for companies with the FENSA logo, you can see if an installer has the required certifications. If they don't, it could be a sign that their patio doors don't have the FENSA certificate, which is a legal requirement for these designs.

To find installers for sliding, French and bifold patio door styles, search for FENSA Approved Installers today. We have an easy to use search tool that makes it simple to find your nearest tradesperson. Alternatively, search our website to find more homeowner advice!