Patio Doors | Glass Doors | Sliding Doors

Quality patio doors let you seamlessly blend your interior and exterior spaces. When closed, they let in ample natural light. When open, they invite the outdoors inside. Masterfully designed and constructed patio doors complement your home beautifully in both cases.

At WoodBeeLtd, our exquisitely built and expertly installed patio doors help you achieve your design goals. Whether you want the sleek simplicity of a modern sliding patio door or the classic elegance of a French patio door, we can install bespoke solutions to meet your needs.

Our experienced craftsmen will work with you to understand your preferences while professionally guiding you through selecting a patio door. We offer a variety of designs, materials, and hardware options. No matter which patio door you choose, you can rest easy knowing the result will be attractive, functional, and resilient.

Types of Patio Doors

The type of patio door you choose should match your sense of style, the design of your house, and the way you live. At WoodBeeLtd, we offer patio doors in the following design types to suit any decor:

French Patio Doors

If your tastes lean more towards the classic, you may prefer the elegant appearance of French-style patio doors. French doors also let in plenty of outdoor light while maintaining the contemporary look of your home. Depending on your home’s layout, these hinged doors have one or more panels and can swing inwards or outwards.

When customising your WoodBeeLtd French patio door, you have several options. For starters, you can select one of three door configurations: a single fixed door, two operable doors, or one operable door and one fixed door. Then, you can further customise the look by choosing the hardware, glazing, glass designs, and colour options you prefer.

BiFold Patio Doors

If you want to combine the classic with the contemporary, bifold patio doors may fit the bill. These versatile doors let in the sunlight and blend your indoor and outdoor spaces easily. They’re also more compact than you might imagine. Because there is no stationary pane of glass to get in your way, bifold doors allow you to make the most of your open space.

Our bi-folding patio doors come in wide-ranging materials, finishes, colours, and hardware options. If you’re concerned about safety, you’ll be happy to know that bifold doors have a locking system spread over multiple points. This option is often more secure than the traditional one- or two-point lock on most doors.

Sliding Patio Doors

Sliding patio doors feature straight, simple lines that modernise your home. They also save space since they don’t require room for a door to swing inwards or outwards. Perhaps more than any other type of door, the large window area of patio doors with sliding mechanisms maximises the natural light reaching your indoor living spaces.

If you have a period property but still want a sliding glass door, WoodBeeLtd can customise the design of your sliding patio doors for your UK home. Depending on your budget and preferences, you can choose from single-panel options and grid glass patterns, various materials (including timber, fibreglass, and vinyl), and a range of colours and finishes.

Materials for Patio Doors

Patio doors are available in many materials, each differing in aesthetic appeal, longevity, and maintenance requirements. Considering the following in advance can help you choose the most appropriate material for your space.

Timber and Pine

No matter what kind of door you want, timber is often the first choice of material. We use timber for stunning patio doors in sliding, French, and bi-fold designs.

Timber doors are beautiful and easily customisable with a range of finishes, but they also tend to be more expensive and require more upkeep than other materials. If you purchase a quality timber door and keep up with proper maintenance, however, your door should last several decades.

Pine is another of our wood options that offers excellent durability and hardiness for your patio doors.

Fibreglass

Made of glass-reinforced plastic, fibreglass doors have a layer of insulating foam for excellent energy efficiency. They also resist extreme weather, dents, and scratches better than timber doors. <br><br>

On the downside, high-quality fibreglass can be pricier than steel doors and some wooden patio doors. In addition, they require a specific type of opening for installation. Contact WoodBeeLtd to see whether your home is a candidate for a fibreglass door.

Longevity and Appearance

When comparing materials for patio doors, wood offers several advantages. Whether you choose timber or pine, wood gives your space a warm and luxurious appearance. The texture of the wood grain can be a design feature all on its own or complement your patio decor.

Compared to other materials like aluminium and fibreglass, wood offers better energy efficiency but slightly less durability. However, with routine staining or painting and other simple maintenance, you can keep your wooden door in good condition.

Wood is a natural insulator, which means your wooden patio doors will regulate the temperature inside your home.

Styles and Configurations

Beyond the type and material, additional options allow you to tailor your patio door further.

Door Styles

Patio doors may consist of one or multiple panels. Depending on your available space and desired look, you may choose a single-panelled French door, a four-panelled sliding glass door, or a six-panelled bi-fold door.

WoodBeeLtd can customise the number and size of panels to fit your space. We can also choose the directionality in many cases. For example, if you don’t have extra room indoors, we can arrange for your bi-fold patio doors to stack outwards.

Grid Patterns

Window grids use strips of material to simulate multiple panes of glass. You may choose a single grid-less glass pane to achieve a sleek look or frame a natural landscape. On the other hand, you may choose windows with four, six, or nine panels to match your existing architecture or achieve historical accuracy.

You can also mix and match with grid patterns on your front-facing windows and unobstructed panes on your back windows.

Colours and Finishes

Patio doors come in a seemingly endless variety of colours and finishes, so you can make them your own. Depending on the door and material you select, your options may include the following:

Metallic or wood-effect finishes
Strengthening anodised finishes
Bare timber, stains, or paints in a variety of colours
Dual-colour options to match exterior and interior decor
Modern and traditional hardware stylings
Bespoke accessories

Energy Efficiency Features

Although windows and doors are often weak links when it comes to your home’s thermal performance, modern patio doors have features that reduce heat transfer.

Number of Panels

Bifold doors can have as many panels as you like. If you have a smaller home, you may opt for three-panel doors. Larger homes can accommodate bi-fold doors with six panels or even more.

Design Options

- Low-E glass: Low-emissivity (low-E) coatings consist of an invisible layer of microscopic metallic particles that reflect heat. Whether on the outside of the glass or between two panes, this coating radiates heat back into the home in winter and back outdoors in summer.

- Multiple glass panes: Heat transfers easily between a single pane of glass. Doubling or even tripling the number of panes (glazing) can improve energy savings.

- Gas between the panes: Filling the space between two panes of glass with dense argon gas adds insulation and reduces heat flow.

- Thermal break technology:Thermal barriers (or breaks) can prevent or reduce energy transfer between two conductive materials (like aluminium or steel). In the case of a patio door, a manufacturer will insert a less conductive material in the assembly to prevent heat loss.

- Weatherstripping and insulation: When it comes to reducing heat loss, there’s no substitute for old-fashioned weatherstripping and insulation to seal cracks and prevent hot or cold air from escaping.

For more information about the energy efficiency of your doors and windows, you can check the product’s Window Energy Rating (WER) or Door Energy Rating (DER), which are set by the British Fenestration Rating Council. Doors with an A rating represent a high level of energy efficiency.

Installation Process

While you may have no problem repairing a wood panel or adjusting sliding glass doors yourself, contracting an experienced professional is key when installing your patio doors.

Patio doors pose special challenges as they must allow a broad opening to the outdoors while properly insulating and protecting your indoor space. Installing a patio door without the proper expertise can cause issues like the following:

Improper alignment
Heat loss
Water leaks
Safety vulnerabilities

At WoodBeeLtd, we get it done right the first time. Our technicians have specialised skills, advanced industry knowledge, and the proper equipment to install your door quickly and efficiently.

We will remove the old door, prepare the space, and install your new bespoke door with minimal disruption to your day. Because we are a FENSA-approved installer, you can trust us to maintain our high standards and commitment to excellence.

Installation timelines differ by project, as some doors take a couple of hours while others require a full day. Installation costs vary depending on the size, materials, door trim, and work site specifications. For more information on costs and time frames, contact us for an estimate.

Security Features

Doors need to look good, but they also need to provide protection. Many modern doors offer security features, such as the following:

Multi-point locking system

Doors with multi-point locking mechanisms have locking hardware at different locations on the door. These may include latches, deadbolts, and/or locking rods at the door’s top, bottom, and middle.

Impact-resistant sliding doors

Designed to withstand hurricanes, impact-resistant sliding doors may help protect your home from wind-blown objects and potential intruders.

Tempered glass

Because it breaks into tiny, harmless pieces when shattered, tempered glass won’t likely prevent burglars from entering. However, if you accidentally break the glass, it will protect you and your family from severe cuts.

Custom design:

Custom-designed and professionally installed doors ensure a snug fit and maximum protection.

Other features:

Adequate hinges, steel frames, and quality parts can also help protect your home from outsiders.

Patio Doors vs. Other Door Types

While patio doors and other types of doors have similar characteristics, the difference depends mostly on their location in the home and purpose. Unlike most other door types, patio doors unite two spaces more than separate them. While they provide security and privacy, their main purpose is to blur the distinction between indoor and outdoor areas.

Let’s compare patio doors to other types of doors.

Glass Patio Doors vs. Wood-Panel Doors

Most patio doors feature panes of glass within the door. Most patio doors make generous use of glass to let natural light shine in, whereas all-wooden doors are common for front doors, side doors, and interior room doors.

If you want to let in natural light and enjoy views of the outdoors, even when the patio doors are closed, opt for doors with glass panes.

Sliding Patio Doors vs. Hinged Doors

Sliding doors are a similar option as they feature two or more panes of glass and a unique design that is different than traditional hinged doors. The main difference is that sliding doors don’t provide a full opening, as one door must slide back against the other, which means one pane always stays visible.

With a bifold patio door, on the other hand, you can fold the door onto itself, leaving the entire door frame open to the outdoors.

Patio Doors vs. Storm Doors

Patio doors are designed to unite the indoors and outdoors. When they are closed, the glass panes in the doors still allow light in. On the other hand, storm doors are solid, reinforced doors that add protection against storms or intruders. Storm doors are common for front doors but serve a different purpose than patio doors. Patio doors offer protection against rain and wind, and for moderate climates that don’t often see hail or other extreme weather, patio doors stand up well over the years.

Maintenance Tips

The exact maintenance your patio door requires depends on the type and the material. However, you will commonly need to do the following to keep your door looking and working its best:

Clean the glass

Cleaning the windows on your patio door is one of the easiest but most rewarding aspects of patio door maintenance.

Clean doors, hardware, and frame

Your tracks, rollers, hinges, and door frames get dirty over time. Clean them gently with a warm, soapy water solution or equal parts water and vinegar. Avoid using harsh chemicals, which can damage the surface.

Maintain the wood

If you have a wooden door or frame, you may need to sand, repair, and re-varnish it periodically.

Check the alignment

Patio doors may drop (scraping along the floor), rise (creating a gap), or get otherwise misaligned.

Lubricate moving parts:

After you’ve cleaned hinges or tracks, lubricate them to keep things running smoothly.

Check for wear and tear

Keep an eye out for any scratches, dents, chips, leakage, or other signs of wear and tear so you can address them immediately.

Replace weatherstripping

When your weatherstripping gets dry and brittle, remove the old strips, clean the surface, and install new ones.

Design Ideas and Inspirations

Rather than merely expanding your living space, patio doors can enhance your home’s architectural style. Classic French patio doors with multi-paned windows can highlight (or restore) Victorian-era constructions. On the other hand, low-profile sliding glass doors with unobstructed panels may make a better choice for modern, minimalistic styles.

However, your choice of materials and fixtures can fit any patio door into your existing aesthetic. For example, a white wooden bi-fold door may appear traditional, while the same door in black aluminium may look more contemporary.

Although others may only see your home from the outside, you’ll spend more time looking at your patio door from the inside. Adding a patio door can completely change the atmosphere of your living space.

That makes it essential to choose a door to match your current (or desired) interior design style. Your choice will dictate how much natural light you let in, how much of the surrounding views you see, and what kind of window treatments — shades, blinds, curtains, or none — you can use.

Explore Patio Door Options With WoodBeeLtd

Whether you choose a sliding, bi-fold, or French design, your patio door lets you bring the outside indoors. It can also help enhance your current architectural style or give you a new look for your living space. A diverse range of options — including materials, designs, colours, fixtures, and sizes — makes it easy to customise the right patio door for your home.

If you’d like to explore bespoke patio doors, contact WoodBeeLtd. We help you at every stage of the process, from selecting the materials and choosing the colour to taking measurements and installing your finished door. We’ll give you an exquisitely crafted, professionally installed patio door that suits your home perfectly.

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