How Much Do Bifold Doors Cost? 2026 UK Price Guide
26 October 2026
Bifold doors are the upgrade almost every kitchen extension and garden room plan includes, and for good reason. Fold them back on a sunny day and the wall between your house and garden simply disappears. But the first thing everyone wants to know is the same: how much do bifold doors cost?
This guide gives you real 2026 UK prices for supplied and fitted bifold doors, what pushes the price up or down, the extras that catch people out, and how bifolds compare with sliding and French doors on cost.
Quick answer: bifold door prices in 2026
Typical fully fitted prices, including VAT, survey, removal of your old doors, installation and certification:
| Bifold door size | uPVC (approx.) | Aluminium |
|---|---|---|
| 2 panel (around 1.8m wide) | £2,200 to £3,000 | £3,200 to £4,200 |
| 3 panel (around 2.4m to 3m wide) | £3,000 to £3,800 | From £4,500 |
| 4 panel (around 3.2m to 4m wide) | £3,800 to £4,800 | Around £5,800 |
| 5 panel (around 4m to 5m wide) | £4,500 to £5,800 | £6,800 to £7,800 |
| 6 panel (around 5m to 6m wide) | £5,500 to £7,000 | Around £8,500 |
As a rule of thumb, uPVC bifolds come in around 30% cheaper than aluminium, but with chunkier frames and fewer colour choices. Most of the bifolds we fit across Essex are aluminium, because the slim frames let in more light and they stay rigid over wide openings.
How much do bifold doors cost to install?
When you see a price online, check whether it is supply only or supplied and fitted. A supply-only bifold might look cheap, but you then need a specialist to fit it, and bifolds are not a job for a general builder. They must be perfectly level and square or they will drag, leak and lock badly.
Installation on its own typically adds £600 to £1,500 to a supply-only price, depending on size and access. In most cases you are better off buying supplied and fitted from one company, so one firm is responsible if anything goes wrong.
A standard install, replacing existing patio or French doors in the same opening, usually takes 1 to 2 days on site. The longer wait is manufacturing, typically 4 to 6 weeks from survey to fitting.
What affects the price of bifold doors?
1. Number of panels and overall width
This is the biggest factor. More panels mean more glass, more hinges, more rollers and more engineering. A 6 panel set can cost almost double a 3 panel set.
2. Frame material
- Aluminium: slimmest frames, strongest over wide spans, any colour, longest life. The premium choice.
- uPVC: the budget option. Works well for smaller openings of 2 to 4 panels, but frames are thicker and very wide uPVC sets can flex over time.
- Timber: beautiful but the most expensive, and needs regular maintenance.
3. Colour
Standard white, grey or black usually costs nothing extra on aluminium. Dual colour (for example anthracite outside and white inside) or a special RAL colour can add 5% to 15%.
4. Glass
A-rated double glazing is standard. Triple glazing, self-cleaning glass, solar control glass for south-facing rooms, or integral blinds all add cost, usually £300 to £1,500+ depending on the size of the set.
5. Threshold
A low or flush threshold gives you a smooth step-free walk from the kitchen floor to the patio. It looks fantastic, but it needs careful drainage outside and can add a few hundred pounds.
6. Traffic door and locking
Most sets include a "traffic door", a single panel you can open like a normal back door without folding the whole set. Upgraded handles, high-security cylinders and Secured by Design accreditation can add a little to the price, and are well worth it on a door this size.
7. Corner bifolds
Corner bifolds, where two sets meet with no post in the corner, give an incredible open feel. They need extra structural work and engineering, so expect them to cost noticeably more than two separate sets.
Hidden costs to budget for
These are the extras that catch people out. Always ask whether they are in your quote:
- Widening the opening. If you are replacing a window or a small patio door with a wide bifold, the hole needs to be made bigger. This usually means a new steel beam or lintel, a structural engineer's calculation and building control sign-off. Budget roughly £1,500 to £4,000 on top, depending on width and the wall.
- Making good. Plastering, rendering or brickwork around the new frame.
- Flooring and patio levels. For a flush threshold your inside floor and outside patio need to line up.
- Removal and disposal of your old doors.
- VAT. Some quotes leave it off to look cheaper.
- Certification. Replacement doors must meet building regulations. A FENSA-registered installer handles this and gives you the certificate you will need when you sell.
If you are building an extension, the opening and the steel work are normally part of the build, so your bifold quote should be just the doors.
Bifold vs sliding vs French doors: cost compared
| Door type | Typical fitted price (aluminium) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| French doors | From £3,200 | Smaller openings, a classic look |
| Bifold doors (3 panel) | From £4,500 | Opening the whole wall in summer |
| Sliding patio doors | From £4,800 | Big glass panes and the best views all year |
Bifolds win when you want to open almost the full width in summer. Sliding doors have fewer, bigger panes, so they give better views when closed and are often slightly more energy efficient. French doors are the most affordable way to get double-width access to the garden.
Not sure which suits your room? Read our guides on bifold vs sliding patio door efficiency and replacing French doors with bifolds.
Are bifold doors worth the money?
For most homes with a decent garden, yes. They:
- Transform how you use the house. Kitchen, dining and garden become one space in summer.
- Bring in far more light, even with the doors closed.
- Add value and appeal when you sell. Bifolds are one of the features buyers look for in an extended home.
- Last for decades. A good aluminium set should give you 25 to 30 years or more.
They are less suited to very small openings under about 1.8m, where you lose a lot of glass to frames. In that case, French doors often look better and cost less.
How to get an accurate bifold door quote
- Measure the rough width and height of your opening so you can get a ballpark price.
- Decide which way you want them to fold, inwards or outwards, and which side you want them to stack.
- Pick a colour inside and out.
- Book a proper survey. A good installer will check the lintel, the floor levels and drainage before giving you a fixed price.
- Compare like for like. Check panel count, glass spec, threshold, locks, guarantee and whether VAT and fitting are included. Our double glazing quote checklist works just as well for doors.
Frequently asked questions
How much do bifold doors cost in the UK?
Most aluminium bifold doors cost £4,500 to £8,500 fully fitted in 2026, depending on the number of panels. A 3 panel set starts from around £4,500, a 4 panel set is around £5,800 and a 6 panel set is around £8,500. uPVC bifolds are roughly 30% cheaper.
How much does it cost to install bifold doors?
If you buy supply only, fitting usually adds £600 to £1,500. Buying supplied and fitted is normally better value and gives you one guarantee covering the doors and the installation.
Do I need planning permission for bifold doors?
Usually not. Replacing existing doors, or fitting bifolds into a rear extension built under permitted development, rarely needs planning permission. Listed buildings, conservation areas and flats can be different, so check with your council if that applies to you. Widening an opening will need building control approval for the new lintel.
How long does it take to fit bifold doors?
Most installs take 1 to 2 days on site. Manufacturing usually takes 4 to 6 weeks from your survey.
Are bifold doors secure?
Yes, modern bifolds are very secure. Look for multi-point locking on every panel, shoot bolts top and bottom, anti-lift hinges, internally beaded glass and a high-security cylinder on the traffic door.
Are aluminium bifolds better than uPVC?
For openings over about 3m, aluminium is usually the better choice. The frames are slimmer, stronger and stay true over wide spans. uPVC is a good budget option for smaller sets.
Do bifold doors let heat out?
Not if they are good quality and fitted properly. Modern aluminium bifolds with thermally broken frames and A-rated glass reach U-values from around 1.3 W/m²K, similar to a good A-rated window.
The bottom line
Expect to pay from around £4,500 for a fitted 3 panel aluminium bifold, rising to around £8,500 for a 6 panel set, with uPVC around 30% cheaper. Check that VAT, fitting, removal and making good are included, and budget separately if the opening needs widening.
Want a fixed, itemised price for your home? Get a free bifold door quote and we will measure up, check the opening and give you a straight answer. You can also see our bifold doors, aluminium doors in Essex, sliding patio doors and French doors, or read what our customers say on our reviews page. We fit bifolds right across the county, including Chelmsford, Brentwood, Basildon, Colchester and Southend-on-Sea.
