Bi-fold doors cost UK 2026
Bi-fold doors typically cost £2,500–£8,000+ supply only, with installed prices ranging £3,500–£12,000+ depending on width, number of panes, frame material, and glazing spec. Aluminium dominates the UK market because of slimmer sightlines and durability.
Cost guide ranges
| Width | UPVC | Aluminium standard | Aluminium premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4m / 3-pane | £2,200–£3,200 | £3,500–£5,000 | £5,000–£7,500 |
| 3m / 3-pane | £2,800–£4,000 | £4,000–£6,000 | £6,000–£9,000 |
| 3.5m / 4-pane | £3,500–£5,000 | £5,000–£7,500 | £7,500–£11,000 |
| 4m / 4-pane | £4,000–£5,800 | £6,000–£8,500 | £8,500–£12,500 |
| 5m / 5-pane | £5,000–£7,500 | £7,500–£11,000 | £11,000–£16,000 |
| 6m / 6-pane | £6,500–£9,500 | £10,000–£14,000 | £14,000–£20,000+ |
| Installation | +£600–£1,500 | +£800–£2,000 | +£1,200–£2,500 |
What's typically included
- Frames + door panels with double glazing
- Standard hardware (handles, locks, hinges)
- Threshold (low-rise or flush)
- Trickle vents (current building regs)
- Standard install (existing opening, prepared aperture)
- Sealing and external pointing
- 5–10 year manufacturer warranty
What's typically NOT included
- Structural steel / RSJ to create or widen the opening (£1,500–£5,000)
- Triple glazing upgrade (+10–15% on door price)
- Solar control / self-cleaning glass (+5–10%)
- Internal blinds integrated within glazing (£800–£2,500)
- Smart locks or motorised hardware (£500–£2,000)
- Internal redecoration after install
- Tiling / flooring up to the threshold
What drives the price
- Frame material — UPVC cheapest. Aluminium 25–40% more but slimmer sightlines and better long-term durability. Hardwood timber rare but adds 50–100%.
- Number of panes — fewer wider panels look more premium but cost more per panel because of toughened glass weight. 3-pane is the typical "sweet spot" for 2.4–3m openings.
- Slim sightlines — aluminium frames as thin as 50mm look premium but cost 30–50% more than standard 70–80mm sightlines.
- Threshold type — flush threshold (no step, blends with floor) costs more than low-rise. Important for accessibility / visual flow.
- Glazing — standard double glazing baseline. Triple glazing optional but rarely worthwhile for a single door run.
- Configuration — folding direction matters. "Master door" + bifold panels (most common) cheaper than full-fold both ways.
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How we estimated these ranges
This is a guide only. The ranges below are intended for early budgeting and trade benchmarking. They are not a substitute for a site visit or an itemised quote from a qualified tradesperson. Always get a site-specific quote before agreeing work.
What's included in these ranges: typical labour costs, common materials at standard specification, and routine preparation or installation work for a standard project of this type.
What's excluded: unusual access (multi-storey, restricted parking), unforeseen structural issues, specialist design or architect fees, planning and building control application fees, premium or high-end finishes, emergency or out-of-hours work, and regional extremes.
Regional note: London, the South East and remote rural areas can vary significantly from the UK averages shown. London labour rates in particular can run 30–50% higher than national averages on the same scope.
Sources and checks used: publicly available UK trade supplier pricing (2025–2026), common day-rate and labour-duration assumptions used in trade quoting, internal example quote structures from TailoredQuote platform data, and where relevant cross-referenced regional contractor surveys and BCIS-style construction cost data.
Last reviewed: May 2026 by TailoredQuote. Prices in this guide will be reviewed and updated periodically.
Frequently asked questions
Bi-folds open the entire run; sliding doors leave fixed panels. Bi-folds give a stronger 'inside-outside' connection. Sliding doors give a cleaner appearance when closed (uninterrupted glass) and slightly better thermal performance. Cost is similar; pick on aesthetic preference.
Aluminium for new-build, premium projects, and slim-sightline aesthetics. UPVC for budget projects, replacements, or where looks aren't critical. Aluminium is the dominant choice in the UK market for a reason — better-looking, longer-lasting, more secure.
Replacing existing doors with bi-folds in a like-for-like opening doesn't usually need planning. Creating a new wider opening (extending the rear glazing run) often needs structural work but not planning. Conservation areas and listed properties have stricter rules.
Most aluminium systems handle 6–7m comfortably. Beyond that you're into specialist territory and bigger budgets — slide-and-turn or bespoke aluminium can do 10m+ but cost £20,000+.
Related cost guides
Last reviewed: May 2026
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