A patio door is simply a large glazed door, or set of doors, that links a room to the garden or patio. It is the term people use for the big doors at the back of the house that let in light and open up to outside. The confusing part is that several very different door styles all get called patio doors, so here is a plain guide to what each one is and who it suits.
What counts as a patio door
There is no single design called "the" patio door. It is an umbrella term for the main garden-facing doors on a home. In practice, three styles account for almost all of them:
- Sliding patio doors
- French doors
- Bifold doors
They all do the same basic job, connecting inside and out, but they open in different ways, cost different amounts and suit different rooms. Let us take them one at a time.
Sliding patio doors
Sliding doors run on a track, with one or more panels gliding sideways behind the others. Because nothing swings or folds into the room, they are great where floor space is tight. Modern aluminium sliders have slim frames and big panes, so you get a large, uninterrupted view of the garden even when the doors are shut.
- Good for: maximising the view, saving floor space, wide openings
- Worth knowing: you can only ever open part of the width, since one panel slides behind another
Our aluminium sliding and bifold doors page shows the slimline sliders if that is the look you are after.
French doors
French doors are a pair of hinged doors that open outwards or inwards from the middle, like a set of double doors with glass. They are a classic, timeless look that suits period and traditional homes especially well, of which York has no shortage. They are usually the most affordable of the three and open fully to the width of the pair.
- Good for: traditional homes, smaller and medium openings, budget
- Worth knowing: you need clear space for the doors to swing, inside or out
French doors come in uPVC, aluminium and timber. If you want an affordable, low-maintenance option, our uPVC doors in York range includes French door styles.
Bifold doors
Bifold doors fold back on themselves like a concertina, stacking neatly to one side. They open up almost the entire wall, which is why they are so popular in kitchen and dining extensions where you want to bring the garden right in. They cost more than French or sliding doors, and the folded panels do take up a little space at the side.
- Good for: opening up a whole wall, indoor-outdoor living, larger extensions
- Worth knowing: they are the priciest option and need a level, strong threshold
How to choose between them
The right patio door comes down to how you use the room and the space you have:
- Tight on floor space? Sliding doors do not intrude into the room at all.
- Traditional home or smaller opening? French doors look right and cost less.
- Want to open the whole wall for summer? Bifolds are made for that.
- Chasing the biggest view through the glass? Slimline sliders give the most uninterrupted glazing.
There is no single winner. A slider and a bifold answer different habits, and plenty of homes end up with French doors because they suit the house and the budget. We are happy to talk through your room and how you live in it rather than push one style.
Rough 2026 prices
Prices vary with material, size, glazing and any building work, so treat these as broad 2026 guides. French doors supplied and fitted often start somewhere around 1,500 to 3,000 pounds. Sliding doors typically run from around 2,500 to 6,000 pounds depending on size and material. Bifolds usually sit higher, from around 3,000 pounds for uPVC up to 9,000 pounds or more for large aluminium sets. For a figure based on your opening, request a free quote and we will measure up.
Do not forget the threshold and security
Whichever style you choose, ask about the threshold and the locks. A low threshold makes stepping out easy and helps with accessibility, though it needs good weather sealing to keep rain out. And since garden doors are a large, tempting entry point, make sure yours come with proper multipoint locking. These details matter more than the label the door goes by.
FAQs
What is the difference between patio doors and French doors?
French doors are one type of patio door. "Patio door" is a general term for large garden-facing doors, which includes French, sliding and bifold styles.
Are sliding or bifold patio doors better?
It depends. Sliding doors save space and give big unbroken glass but only open part of the width. Bifolds open almost the whole wall but cost more and fold into the room's edge.
Which patio door is cheapest?
French doors are usually the most affordable, followed by sliding doors, with bifolds generally the priciest. Final costs depend on size, material and any building work.
Do patio doors need building regulations approval?
Replacing existing doors usually just needs the glazing to meet current standards, often covered by a registered installer. Structural changes to the opening involve building regulations, so check with your local authority.
Which patio door is most secure?
Any of them can be secure with the right hardware. Look for multipoint locking, toughened or laminated glass and, on doors with cylinders, an anti-snap cylinder, rather than judging by style alone.
Want to see sliding, French and bifold styles side by side? Download our latest brochure, or request a free quote and we will pop out for a look.