Bifold Doors Installation Cost
Last updated 14th May, 2025
If you want to know more about bifold doors you've come to the right place!
In this article, you'll find a complete breakdown of the cost of bifold doors. We explore different sizes such as 2-panel bifold doors and 3-panel bifold doors, as well as discussing the installation fees for this type of work. Prices start from an average of £2,000 for bifolds.
We also provide a handy pros and cons list for folding doors of various materials, including aluminium and uPVC.
Keep reading below!
Table of Contents
- How much to install bifold doors?
- Labour cost to install bifold doors
- What impacts the cost of bifold doors and installation?
- Is planning permission required for new bifold doors?
- Aluminium bifold doors vs uPVC vs timber
- What does installing bifold doors involves?
- Are bifold doors secure?
- Will bifold doors add value to my home?
- FAQs
How Much to Install Bifold Doors?
Any bifold doors cost estimate depends on a full assessment of the type of bifold door you want, along with other factors such as regional labour costs and thermal efficiency.
However, as a rough guide, the cost of bifold doors and installation will be around £3,000 for 2m doors.
This pricing includes labour and materials costs, although there will be variations in these depending on where you live in the country.
In terms of materials, bifold door prices can range from £700 to £2,500. For example, aluminium is a common material used in homes and the price per metre (of door width) is often around the £1,000 mark.
Your total bifold door cost may also be increased by premium upgrades or efforts to match existing decor around your home.
Bifold Door Fitting Prices
Below are some estimated costs of hiring a specialist to install bi-fold doors:
| Job Description | Avg. Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 2m Bi-fold Doors | £2500-£3500 | 1-2 days |
| Standard 3m Bi-fold Doors | £3500-£4500 | 1-2 days |
| Standard 4m Bi-fold Doors | £5000-£6000 | 2-3 days |
Bifold Door Cost Breakdown Calculator
Individual costs to install a 2m Bi-fold Door - Total Cost: £3,000
Materials
£2000
Tradesmen
£1000
Waste Removal
£0
Labour Cost to Install Bifold Doors
The cost to install bifold doors will be affected by the labour costs.
The average specialist will usually charge around £150 to £200 per day, with prices in London and the South East higher because of regional differences.
Bi-fold door specialists will often work in pairs to ensure the doors are fitted correctly and the job is done safely. This will necessarily increase costs.
Many homeowners will be having bifolds installed for the first time and thus will need the space for the doors cut out. This can be time-consuming and could take one builder a full day to make the space.
It can typically take 1 to 2 days for builders working together to install bifold doors. This would translate to between £600 and £800 in labour costs alone, plus the price of materials.
What Impacts the Cost of Bifold Doors and Installation?
The cost of bifold doors will depend on various factors, and you may be able to keep costs down by economising on some elements.
Consider the following list:
- Size of doors.
- What material they're made from.
- Colours and finishes.
- Whether glass is double-glazed, triple-glazed, tinted or laminated.
- Thermal efficiency.
- How they're going to be opened.
- How thin the frames are, with thinner frames at a higher price point
- Whether you opt for a premium brand.
- What security features the doors have.
If you need a new opening cutting for the bifold doors, this is an unavoidable cost that will have to be investigated and factored into your overall budget.
Is Planning Permission Required for New Bifold Doors?
One of the first things you need to consider before fitting bi-fold doors is whether or not you need planning permission.
Adding doors to your home is often a permitted development, so in most cases, you probably won't need it. However, in unusual cases, permission may be required, so always check with the local authority just in case.
Next, you'll need to make sure that the lintels over the opening are suitable for the bi-folding doors. If the existing aperture is not the same width and height as required for your new door then you'll probably need to hire a structural engineer to change the size of the opening and ensure the correct lintel is fitted.
Although this will increase your overall bifold doors cost, it is an important step if you're going to make structural changes to your home that could otherwise result in it being unsafe to live in.
Aluminium Bifold Doors vs uPVC vs Timber
When thinking about installing bi-fold doors the size isn’t the only consideration. The performance, longevity and aesthetics of the doors will depend greatly on the materials used in the construction.
Bi-folding doors are usually made from wood, aluminium or uPVC. Wooden doors have a distinctive and traditional look and can be sanded and painted as required. However, the downside of wood is that it will warp over time and will require more maintenance than other materials.
Aluminium is probably the most popular material for external bi-fold doors as it's stronger than wood or uPVC so you can have thinner frames and more glazing, which means more light. Aluminium doors will also resist warping a great deal more effectively than timber and require virtually no maintenance.
uPVC doors are weaker than aluminium or hardwood so require thicker frames, but they are much cheaper.
Though uPVC doors might appear better value at first glance, they can work out more expensive in the long-term, as they'll probably not last as long as aluminium or even well-maintained timber. Plus, they are not as popular so will not add as much value to the property.
Timber tends to be the most thermally-efficient material whereas aluminium is the least, however, most quality aluminium bi-fold doors will use a layer of non-conductive material as a thermal break to get around this shortfall.
Aluminium Bi-fold Doors
- ✔ Aluminium is the strongest so you can have more glass and thinner frames
- ✔ Most aluminium bi-fold doors include a thermal break for thermal efficiency
- ✔ Aluminium doors can be environmentally friendly with up to 100% recycling of material
- ✔ Aluminium is very low-maintenance.
- ✔ Aluminium is usually powder coated so available in a range of colours and wood-effect finishes
- ✖ Cost around £3,000 just for a 4-door frame and runner set (not including glass or installation)
Timber Bi-fold Doors
- ✔ Engineered timber is much stronger than solid timber
- ✔ Timber is a naturally beautiful material which is more traditional than aluminium or uPVC
- ✖ Solid timber bi-fold doors start from around £3,000 for the frames, rising to £5,000 for composite timber
- ✖ Engineered timber can warp if overexposed to sunlight or moisture
- ✖ Timber is less conductive than metal but timber doors are prone to contracting in cold weather reducing their thermal efficiency
- ✖ Timber bi-fold doors will require the most maintenance
uPVC Bi-fold Doors
- ✔ uPVC doors are as strong as timber but more durable
- ✔ uPVC bi-fold doors are much cheaper than other types and start from around £1500 for frames only
- ✔ uPVC just needs cleaning every year so low maintenance
- ✖ uPVC has the lowest level of thermal efficiency and is the least environmentally friendly material
- ✖ PVC can look cheap and is particularly unflattering on period properties
- ✖ uPVC frames are much wider than aluminium or timber
What Does Installing Bifold Doors Involves?
The process of installing bifold doors is straightforward but requires a certain level of experience and skill.
Usually, your tradesmen will follow this rough process if you already have space cut out for bifolding doors:
- Ensure the structure the top track will be attached to is capable of supporting the weight.
- Prepare the sill for assembly and assemble the frame.
- Fit the frame into the opening and ensure it's square and level.
- Tightly pack the frame, and then drill holes into the structure on either side of the frame for the fixing bolts.
- Fix the sill and head to ensure the jams are vertical and the sill is level.
- Attach the hinges and install the multipoint lock.
- Hang the doors.
- Adjust the top and bottom hinges as required.
If you need an area to be cut out for the door installation, this will increase costs and time frames.
Bear in mind, however, that bi-fold doors are generally not suitable for a DIY project. They are difficult to install without the right expertise and incorrect installation may leave your home with draughts or a security issue.
Are Bifold Doors Secure?
Professionally installed bifold doors are often harder to break into than traditional French or sliding doors.
Modern bifold doors come with multipoint locking and a hidden tracking system that makes it almost impossible for an intruder to simply lift the doors out of their tracks. Bi-fold doors are attached to a gear within the bottom track which is fixed by steel lock pins formed from hardened steel.
Glass panels within bi-fold doors also have internally beaded frames overlapping the glass panel, adding further security by design.
It's also important, however, to invest in good security locks for your bifold doors.
Most lock systems for these doors are multi-point systems with twin point deadbolts, allowing you to use the handle in the centre of your bi-fold doors to operate bolts on both the top and bottom of the door.
Will Bifold Doors Add Value to My Home?
Most forms of home improvement will add some value to a property, and the installation of bi-folding doors is definitely an improvement to most homes.
Experts estimate that adding high-end bi-folding doors can potentially add around 5% to the resale valuation of a property as well as making it more desirable to buyers.
The reason bi-fold doors offer much more in terms of increased value when compared to French or patio doors is that bi-folding doors can span several metres opening up a property into the garden and creating a sensational effect. They also offer exceptionally low U-values and good security.
