Bifold Doors Wimbledon Chase

We supply and fit made-to-measure bifold doors in Wimbledon Chase. This page is for homeowners who want to open a kitchen, extension or garden room to the outside. You will learn which frames and layouts suit local homes, what drives the cost and how we fit them.

Every set is built to the size of your opening, not a stock size. We are FENSA registered and every install comes with a 10-year guarantee. You can read about the full product range on our main bifold doors page.

Where Bifolds Work Best in Wimbledon Chase Homes

Most bifolds we fit go into the back of the house. The usual spot is a rear kitchen, a new single-storey extension or a knocked-through dining room. These rooms tend to face the garden, so the doors earn their keep in summer.

A bifold suits an opening of about two metres or more. Below that, the frames and sashes take up too much of the glass. For a narrower gap, a pair of French doors often gives more light and costs less.

Think about how you will use the space. Ask yourself these questions:

• Do you want the whole wall to open, or just a door for day-to-day use?
• Is there room on the patio for the panels to fold back?
• Will the doors face the sun for most of the day?
• Do you need a level step from the floor to the patio?

Your answers shape the number of panels, the way they fold and the glass we pick.

Frame Materials and Finishes

We offer bifolds in two main materials. Each has its own strengths.

Aluminium is the most popular choice. It is strong, so the frames can be slim and the glass can be wide. A modern thermal break stops the cold passing through the metal. The paint is a powder coat that is baked on, so it does not peel or need painting. You can pick from a wide range of RAL colours, with a different colour inside and out if you like.

uPVC costs less to buy. The frames are thicker, so you see less glass. It works well on smaller openings of two or three panels. It comes in white, grey and wood-grain foils.

Handles, hinges and track covers come in several finishes. Black, chrome and satin silver are the most asked for. We bring samples to your survey so you can see them against your brick and render.

Panel Layouts, Tracks and Thresholds

A bifold is a set of glass panels that fold and stack to one or both sides. The layout depends on the width and how you want to walk through.

• Odd numbers of panels (three, five or seven) let you add a traffic door. This is a single panel that opens like a normal door, so you do not have to fold the whole set each time.
• Even numbers (two, four or six) split in the centre or stack to one side.
• Open in or open out is your choice. Most people pick open out, so the panels do not take up room inside.

The panels hang from a top track or run on a bottom track. We set the track dead level, as a small error makes the doors stiff. Sealed rollers keep the glide smooth for years.

The threshold is the strip at the base. A low threshold gives a near-level step from the floor to the patio. It needs good drainage outside, such as a channel drain, so rain does not sit against the frame. A standard threshold is a little higher and keeps water out with less fuss. We will tell you which one suits your patio at the survey.

Glass, Heat and Security

All our bifolds use sealed double glazed units with toughened safety glass. That is the law for large glass in doors. Low-E coatings and warm edge spacers keep heat in. A gas fill between the panes helps too.

Under Part L of the Building Regulations, a new door must reach a U-value of 1.4 W/m²K or better. We will show you the rating for your doors before you sign. Triple glazing is an option if you want even lower heat loss or less noise from the road.

If your doors face south or west, think about solar control glass. It cuts glare and stops the room from getting too hot in the afternoon.

Security is built in. Each panel locks with multi-point locks. Anti-lift blocks stop the panels being lifted off the track. The cylinders are tested to resist snapping. You can add a keyless lock or a smart lock on the traffic door if you want one.

What Drives the Cost of Bifold Doors

We do not quote fixed prices on this page, because no two openings are the same. These are the things that move the price up or down:

• Width and height of the opening, and the number of panels.
• Frame material: aluminium costs more than uPVC.
• Colour: a dual colour or a special RAL shade adds cost.
• Glass: triple glazing, solar control or acoustic glass adds cost.
• Threshold: a low threshold needs more prep and a drain outside.
• Building work: a new or wider opening needs a steel beam and building control sign-off.
• Access: long carries or tight side paths can add time on the day.

Every job gets a written, fixed quote after a free survey. Payment stages are set out in that quote too. To book a visit, use our quote page.

How We Fit Your Doors

We start with a free survey. We check the opening, the lintel above it and the floor level. Then we make the doors to size and fit them, and look after you once they are in. Most sets are fitted in one or two days.

On the day, we lay dust sheets and protect your floor. We take out the old door or window with care. The new frame is fixed, packed and set square and level. We then hang the panels, adjust the rollers and seal the frame inside and out. Before we leave, we show you how to fold, lock and clean the doors. We take the old frames away for recycling.

If you are making a new opening, building work comes first. We can advise on the steel beam and the notice you need to give the council.

Looking After Your Bifolds

Bifolds need little care, but a few simple jobs keep them sliding well:

• Brush or hoover the bottom track every few weeks. Grit is the main cause of stiff doors.
• Wash the frames with warm soapy water two or three times a year.
• Wipe the seals and check they sit flat.
• Put a drop of light oil on the locks and hinges once a year.
• Keep the drain outside the threshold clear of leaves.

If a panel starts to drag, call us. A small roller adjust often puts it right in a few minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do bifolds need a recessed floor track to run smoothly?

No. A recessed track gives a flush finish, but a surface track runs just as well when it is fitted level. The key is a flat, firm base and a clean track. We check your floor at the survey and tell you which option suits it. If you want a level step to the patio, we will plan the drain outside at the same time.

Can bifold doors have a pet flap or a trickle vent?

Yes, in most cases. A trickle vent can sit in the top of the frame to let fresh air in when the doors are shut. A pet flap is harder, as it has to go through the glass. We fit it in a special glass unit made at the factory. Tell us at the survey so we can order the right parts.

Are bifolds allowed on older or listed homes?

Often, yes, at the back of the house. Rear doors are less likely to need planning than front ones. Listed homes and homes in a conservation area may face tighter rules. Slim frames and heritage colours tend to get a better hearing. We can help you check the rules with the council before you commit.

How fast can a broken glass panel be replaced?

We make it safe the same day or the next, where we can. The new sealed unit is made to the exact size, which takes a short wait at the factory. Once it arrives, the swap takes an hour or two. The frame and the other panels stay in place while we work.

Can blinds go inside the glass?

Yes. Integral blinds sit between the two panes of glass. You tilt or raise them with a slider or a small motor. They never gather dust and cannot tangle with the folding panels. They add to the cost and the lead time, so let us know early if you want them.