French doors, bi-fold doors and patio doors all connect your home to the garden beautifully, but they work in completely different ways. Understanding these differences helps you choose the type that genuinely suits your property and how you live.

French doors are hinged double doors that swing open, requiring clearance space either inside or outside. Bi-fold doors fold and stack like a concertina, creating wide openings with minimal frame obstruction. Patio doors slide horizontally on tracks, needing no swing clearance at all.

Your choice depends on your available space, property type and priorities. This guide compares how each type performs in Newcastle homes, covering space requirements, flexibility, security and weather resistance.

Understanding the Three Door Types

French doors are hinged double doors that open from the centre, with each door swinging either inwards or outwards. They’re the traditional choice, typically made from timber, UPVC or aluminium, with full-length glass panels. When both doors open, they create a wide, unobstructed opening.

Bi-fold doors consist of multiple panels (typically 3–6 panels) connected by hinges that fold and stack to one side or split to both sides. As you open them, the panels fold back on themselves like a concertina, stacking neatly against the wall. Modern bi-folds are usually aluminium-framed with slim sightlines.

Patio doors (also called sliding doors) operate on a horizontal track system. One or more panels slide behind fixed panels, moving parallel to the wall rather than swinging or folding. Modern designs have improved dramatically from the chunky versions many people remember.

Space Requirements: Which Takes Up More Room?

This is often the deciding factor, particularly in terraced properties where every square metre matters.

French doors need clearance for their swing arc. If they open outwards (most common), you need at least 1–1.5 metres of clear patio or garden space directly in front of them. If they open inwards, you lose that same space from your room. In a typical terrace with a compact courtyard garden, outward-opening French doors can dominate the patio, limiting furniture placement.

Bi-fold doors require space for the stacked panels when fully open. A four-panel system stacking to one side needs roughly 600–800mm of wall space when folded. This isn’t usually a problem externally, but internally it affects furniture and radiator placement. However, bi-folds excel in creating a genuinely open corner – when fully retracted, you get an almost seamless indoor–outdoor transition.

Patio doors are the space-saving champions. They need no clearance because panels slide parallel to the wall. You can position furniture or planters right up to the threshold without interfering with operation. This makes them ideal for smaller gardens or where space is tight both inside and out.

For typical property types: terraced homes with 3–4 metre wide gardens usually work best with patio doors or French doors opening outwards. Modern detached homes or extensions with generous gardens can accommodate any type.

Opening Flexibility & Practical Use

How you actually use your doors daily matters more than many people consider when choosing.

French doors are all-or-nothing. You either open both doors fully or keep them closed. Some designs allow one door to stay bolted while the other operates as a regular door, but you’re still limited to preset configurations. They’re perfect if you typically want the doors fully open or fully closed.

Bi-fold doors offer maximum flexibility. Open just one panel for ventilation without creating a full opening. Open several panels partially for a connection to the garden while maintaining some enclosure. Fold them fully back for entertaining. This versatility makes them popular for modern extensions and conservatory replacements.

Patio doors provide variable opening. Slide the moving panel as much or as little as needed – perfect for ventilation without fully opening to the garden. This makes them excellent for security-conscious homeowners who want fresh air without leaving doors wide open, or for homes with pets where you need controlled access.

For North East weather, this flexibility matters. On a pleasant but breezy day, partially opening bi-folds or patio doors gives you fresh air without the doors catching the wind. French doors, when open, act like sails in strong gusts

Security & Weather Performance

The North East’s weather demands robust construction, and security matters across all Newcastle neighbourhoods.

Security ratings are similar across all three types when properly specified. Look for multipoint locking systems (standard on quality doors), internally beaded glazing (prevents glass removal from outside) and certification to PAS 24 security standards. Bi-fold doors have additional security features on each panel, whilst patio doors use anti-lift devices to prevent forced opening.

All of our doors are manufactured to rigorous BS EN Standards, ensuring they perform reliably even in the harshest North East weather conditions.

Which Door Type Is Right for You?

Choose French doors if:

Choose bi-fold doors if:

• You want maximum flexibility in how you open and configure your space
• You’re creating a modern extension or replacing a conservatory
• You want to create the widest possible opening with minimal frame obstruction Opening fully and creating genuine indoor–outdoor flow is a priority

Choose patio doors if:

• Space is limited either inside or outside, or both
• You want simple, reliable operation with minimal maintenance
• You prefer variable partial opening for ventilation
• You’re replacing existing patio doors and the opening size is fixed

For Newcastle properties specifically: terraced homes generally work best with patio doors or carefully positioned French doors. Semi-detached homes with moderate gardens have more flexibility. Detached properties and modern extensions can accommodate any type based purely on preference.

Making the Right Choice for Your Home

The best door type isn’t determined by which photographs best or trends most currently – it’s determined by how well it matches your property, space constraints and how you actually live.

French doors offer timeless appeal and robust simplicity. Bi-fold doors provide unmatched flexibility and contemporary aesthetics. Patio doors deliver practical reliability. All three create valuable connections between your home and garden when properly chosen and professionally installed.

At Hawthorns Windows, we’ve installed thousands of doors across Newcastle and the North East over 35 years. We’ve seen which door types work brilliantly in different properties, which suit modern extensions and which perform reliably through decades of North East weather. We don’t push any particular type – we help you understand which genuinely suits your home and requirements.

Contact us for clear recommendations about which door type works best for your specific situation.