Thermally broken aluminium bifold doors
Thermally broken aluminium accounts for over 85% of external bifold doors fitted in Ireland because aluminium will not warp, swell or twist across 3m to 6m spans. Prices run from €3,600 to €5,800 for a 3-panel door up to €7,200 to €11,500 for a 6-panel door, supplied and fitted.
Why polyamide thermal breaks, slim 110mm–132mm mullion sightlines and marine-grade Qualicoat powder coating matter in the Irish climate.
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Calculate your bifold door supply & fit cost
Pick the number of folding panels, your frame and glazing specification, and whether the structural opening is ready or needs an RSJ knock-through.
Estimated supply & fit guide
€4,800 to €7,600
Door supply & fit: €4,800 to €7,600 (13.5% VAT included)
Guide price for a 4-panel bifold door (3.2m–4.0m opening) in thermally broken double-glazed aluminium, supplied and fitted into a prepared structural opening. Includes a daily-use traffic door leaf, multi-point security locking and toughened low-E safety glass.
Send this for a written quoteHow modern thermally broken aluminium frames work
Older 1980s aluminium patio doors were cold and streamed with condensation because solid metal conducts heat straight out of the room. Modern architectural bifold profiles consist of two separate extruded aluminium shells joined by a 32mm to 45mm glass-fibre reinforced polyamide thermal barrier.
| Specification | Standard aluminium bifold | Upgraded / Passive aluminium bifold |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting-style sightline (panel junction) | 120mm to 135mm | 94mm to 112mm ultra-slim |
| Max individual panel width & height | 1,000mm wide × 2,400mm high | 1,200mm wide × 3,000mm high |
| Glazing unit thickness | 28mm double glazed (argon + low-E) | 36mm to 44mm triple glazed |
| Whole-door U-value (Ud) | 1.3 to 1.4 W/m²K (meets Part L) | 0.9 to 1.0 W/m²K |
| Security standard | Multi-point hook bolts + 3-star cylinder | PAS 24 certified + laminated inner pane |
Choosing the right folding configuration
How your panels stack determines how you use the door during the nine months of the Irish year when the full wall isn't folded open:
- 3 panels (3+0): All three leaves fold to one side. The lead leaf swings open independently on hinges like a regular back door with a lever handle inside and out.
- 4 panels (3+1): Three panels fold to one side and the fourth panel hinges the opposite way as your everyday traffic door. (A 4+0 stack where all four fold one way has no hinged traffic door on the lead edge.)
- 5 panels (5+0 or 3+2): Both configurations provide a hinged daily traffic door without disturbing the remaining panels.
- 6 panels (3+3 or 5+1): A 3+3 centre-opening layout folds three panels left and three right; a 5+1 layout gives a dedicated traffic door at one end.
Marine-grade powder coating for coastal counties
If your house is within 5 kilometres of the Atlantic or Irish Sea coast, standard polyester powder coating can pit or blister from salt spray. Specify Qualicoat Seaside (marine-grade) pre-treatment, stainless steel 316 bogie hardware, and rinse the bottom track with fresh water twice a year. For homeowners who want real wood warmth indoors with aluminium weather protection outside, compare alucladwindows.ie.
Real examples and installation detail
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Questions homeowners ask
Should bifold doors fold inwards or outwards?
In Ireland, roughly 90% of external bifold doors are specified to fold outwards onto the patio. Outward-folding panels do not sweep across your kitchen floor or require moving dining chairs, and any rainwater on the outside glass drips onto the patio rather than indoors.
What is the most popular colour for aluminium bifold doors?
RAL 7016 Anthracite Grey (matt or fine-textured finish) and RAL 9005 Jet Black are the two most common choices in Ireland, often specified as dual-colour with RAL 9016 Traffic White on the inside to keep kitchen walls bright.
Bifolding doors across all 26 counties
Requests from all 26 counties go to one vetted local specialist who covers your county — from Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick to Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Waterford and Donegal. Pick your county below for local prices, specifications and advice. Compare all areas covered →
Planning bifold doors for an extension or patio knock-through?
One vetted company covering your county surveys the opening, checks the lintel and threshold, and gives you a written price.