Five Notable Options for Your Extension Project's Door System, Including the Trendiest Pick for 2025
Helloooo there! Ready to chat about patio door ideas, my friend?Here's a refreshing take on updating your outdoor space. With bifold doors losing some of their charm, it's time to explore enticing alternatives.
Now, you might have heard the chatter about Adam Draper, the architect who's not sold on bifold doors. He points out that while they work for opening up your home to the outdoors for a few days, the rest of the time, you're stuck with thicker frames, and that's not ideal.
So, what can we use instead? Here are five smashing options to spice up your project and cater to your unique preferences.
1. Modern Sliding Doors
You've probably come across sliding doors before, and they're a solid bet when it comes to bifold door alternatives. Architect Adam Draper endorses them, but there are limitations to consider. For example, you'll have to fix one side, which might hinder opening your kitchen extension entirely. There's also the fact that having both sides sliding will widen your floor track. But, on the plus side, they're slimline and offer a better view out compared to bifold doors!
2. Pivot Doors
If you're looking for something truly unique, pivot doors are the way to go. They're making waves as an emerging trend in patio doors, providing an impressive span of glazing. Pivot doors can serve as a stunning design feature, effortlessly bridging spaces and increasing the visual connection between them when open. Just be aware that they might be a bit heavy to swing open if they're too big and are best for occasional use.
3. Steel Frame Doors
Want a stylish and flexible alternative for patio ventilation? Look no further than steel-framed doors. These bad boys offer slender frames that seamlessly fit into expansive glazed walls, and they can incorporate ventilation options too! Plus, they're a great choice for creating an opening from your living area to your patio without encroaching on your outdoor space.
4. Slide-and-Turn Doors
If you're seeking a door style that resonates somewhere between bifold doors and sliding doors, say hello to slide-and-turn doors. They're designed with 45mm frames between glass, making them much thinner than typical folding doors. They can slide and stack to one side, allowing for a fully unobstructed opening to connect inside and out. It's like tapping into the best of both worlds!
5. Pocket Doors
Finally, let's not forget the versatile pocket door. Internally, they're used to create a seamless transition between spaces, and they can do the same for your patio design too! Like all the doors we've discussed, pocket doors have pros and cons. They're great for enjoying a nearly unobstructed opening to the outside while preserving the essence of traditional sliding doors. However, depending on your home's design, you might not be able to create a huge opening, as they need something to recess into.
Let's wrap this up with some common questions:
🤔 Are Bifold Doors on their Way Out?
Not necessarily, but they're not as trendy as they once were. Appreciation for other options is mounting, especially in scenarios requiring energy efficiency and considerate aesthetics over chunky frames.
🤔 What's the Hot New Trend in Patio Doors?
As of recent years, sliding doors with increasingly slimmer frames are the most popular choice. However, pivot doors might be the up-and-coming option that promises a similar wow factor but caters to current glazing preferences.
In the realm of home-and-garden and lifestyle improvements, artful placement of modern furniture can transform the kitchen and living room while these enticing alternatives for patio doors create an impressive visual connection. For example, the trending slide-and-turn doors offer the best of both worlds, being slimmer than traditional folding doors and stacking to one side for a fully unobstructed opening. Moreover, the appealing minimalist design of steel-framed doors seamlessly fits into expansive glazed walls, perfect for creating an opening from your living area to your patio without intruding on your outdoor space.
