uPVC & aluminium bi-fold doorsdesigned, supplied and installedacross Kent, London & Surrey
Open the back of the house to the garden with uPVC or slim aluminium sightlines, smooth running gear and a fixed price agreed before we start, installed by the same family-run team since 1998.
FENSA registered · £5m Public Liability · 10-year workmanship guarantee
What we do, bi-fold doors
Bi-fold doors turn a solid rear wall into a fully-openable aperture, folding neatly to one or both sides so kitchen, dining or lounge space extends onto the patio in warm weather. We supply and install both uPVC and aluminium bi-folds in configurations from two to seven panes across Kent, London, Surrey and the South East.
This service is for homeowners planning a rear extension, remodelling a kitchen-diner, or replacing tired French or patio doors that no longer suit how they use the room. Contractors and architects working on projects in our coverage area are welcome to bring us in at design stage.
Professional installation is not optional with bi-folds. The running gear only works forever if the head track is set dead level, the threshold is bedded and drained correctly, and the frame is packed to distribute weight across the opening. Get any of that wrong and the doors bind within a year. Our fitters install bi-folds every week; the survey stage is where we spot the ground works, lintel and threshold detail issues that make or break the finished job.
A snapshot of recent Swift installations
Real photos from projects across Kent, London, Surrey and the South East. Tap through to see the full gallery.
Product write-up to follow
What happens if you leave it
A poorly installed bi-fold is one of the most expensive mistakes in home improvement. When the running gear binds you cannot simply adjust it out, the frame itself has moved. Correcting it means re-lifting the doors, often with builders re-cutting the threshold, at a cost that dwarfs any saving on the original quote.
Water ingress at the threshold is the next escalation. Modern low-threshold bi-folds sit close to the finished floor level for flush indoor-outdoor flow; without correct drainage channels and a properly detailed sill, driving rain finds its way inside, damaging flooring and skirting.
The most common mistake we correct is choosing a supplier on price and glass area alone, without checking the running gear, the frame depth, or whether the installer has actually fitted the system before. Cheap gear feels the same on day one and fails silently for years.
From first call to sign-off
- STEP 1
Sales representative visit
One of our sales representatives comes out first to walk the property, understand what you want, talk through options, materials and finishes, and outline indicative pricing. No pressure, no time-limited discounts.
- STEP 2
Surveyor & fixed written quote
If you want to proceed, our surveyor attends separately to measure every opening precisely, check structural context (lintels, thresholds, reveals) and lock in the specification. You then receive a fixed written quote to compare like-for-like.
- STEP 3
Manufacture
Frames and running gear are made to your survey. Lead time is typically four to six weeks for uPVC and aluminium bi-folds; we confirm a fitting date when stock arrives.
- STEP 4
In-house fitting team install
We remove the existing opening, prepare the reveals and threshold, install the frame dead level, hang the panels, fit hardware and dress the threshold internally and externally.
- STEP 5
Test, sign-off & guarantee
Every panel is cycled multiple times to confirm smooth running, seals are checked for compression, and the installation is FENSA registered. You receive a 10-year workmanship guarantee.
What you actually get
Fully-open aperture
Unlike sliding or French doors, bi-folds stack away completely, giving you an unobstructed opening in warm weather.
uPVC or aluminium sightlines
Choose uPVC for value and warmth, or slim aluminium for maximum glass area and minimum frame. We explain the trade-offs at survey rather than pushing one system.
Thermally broken performance
Polyamide thermal breaks in the frames keep cold bridging in check, so the doors are practical in British winters, not just summer party pieces.
Security-rated hardware
Multi-point shootbolt locking on the master door and internal beading make forced entry considerably harder than on old French doors.
Long service life
Powder-coated aluminium does not warp, rot or need repainting. Correctly installed running gear should give 20+ years of daily use.
One accountable team
Survey, supply, install, threshold detail and after-care are all Swift, no finger-pointing between installer and builder.
Bi-fold Doors, how we specify
Bi-folds look simple from the outside but the detail matters. Below is what we consider before quoting, and the choices you will make with us.
uPVC or aluminium
We supply both. uPVC bi-folds are the value option and perform strongly on thermal efficiency; aluminium bi-folds give slimmer sightlines, larger maximum panel sizes and a wider colour range. We recommend the right system once we have seen the opening and understood how you plan to use it.
Panel configuration
The most common set-ups are three-panel (opens to one side, useful for openings up to about 3m), four-panel (splits two-and-two, ideal for symmetrical openings around 3–3.6m), and five-, six- or seven-panel arrangements for wider extensions. We can include a traffic door, a single leaf that opens independently for everyday use without folding the whole set, which is the detail most owners wish they had specified when they see it in use.
Threshold options
Low-threshold (level-access) thresholds sit near flush with your internal floor and are the choice for a genuine indoor-outdoor kitchen-diner feel. Weathered thresholds sit slightly proud and give better protection on exposed elevations. We recommend the right one after seeing your site, it is not a decision to make on price.
Glass & thermal performance
We specify A-rated argon-filled units as standard, upgrading to solar-control glass on south and west elevations that overheat, or acoustic laminate near busy roads. U-values are quoted in writing so you can compare like-for-like.
Colours & finish
Powder-coated aluminium is available in the full RAL range, with dual-colour (different inside and out) popular in kitchen extensions. uPVC bi-folds are available in white, foiled woodgrains and a growing range of solid colours including anthracite grey and black.
Residential vs commercial
We install bi-folds on offices, cafés and small commercial premises. Commercial installs bring additional considerations around means-of-escape hardware and fire-glass ratings, both of which we can specify.
Common questions
How much do bi-fold doors cost?
+
Every home is different, so we do not publish rates. Price depends on material (uPVC or aluminium), size, specification, glass, access and any structural work involved. Request a free survey and we will issue a fixed written quote before any work starts.
Do you fit uPVC or aluminium bi-folds?
+
Both. uPVC is the value option with strong thermal performance; aluminium gives slimmer sightlines, larger panels and a wider colour palette. We talk through the trade-offs at survey and quote whichever system best fits the opening and the budget.
How wide an opening can bi-folds cover?
+
Standard systems comfortably span up to about 6m; wider spans are possible with the right lintel and manufacturer system. If your opening is close to the limits, we specify accordingly and confirm at survey.
How long does installation take?
+
A straight replacement into an existing opening is usually completed in one to two days on site. Installs involving new lintels or groundworks take longer and we programme that with your builder or into our quote.
Do bi-folds leak in heavy rain?
+
Correctly installed, no. Modern systems carry weather-rating certifications well above typical UK conditions. Leaks almost always trace back to a badly-set threshold or missing drainage channels, the survey and install detail that we take seriously.
Are bi-folds secure?
+
Yes, modern systems use multi-point shootbolt locking on the master leaf, internally-beaded glass and anti-lift track detailing. We can specify Secured-by-Design-compatible cylinders where you want the extra assurance.
Can I have a traffic door?
+
Yes, and we recommend it in most configurations. A traffic door lets you use one leaf as a normal door for everyday coming and going without folding the whole set open.
How long should bi-folds last?
+
Aluminium frames outlast most of the buildings they are fitted into. Running gear should give 20+ years of daily use; hinges and rollers are serviceable components that can be renewed if ever needed.
Are you FENSA registered and insured?
+
Yes, FENSA registered for building regulations self-certification, £5m Public Liability and £10m Employers' Liability. Certificates are available before you accept a quote.
Do you cover my area?
+
We cover London, Kent, Surrey and the wider South East from Greenhithe. Call 01322 221010 if you are unsure whether we quote in your postcode.
Explore related pages
Get a fixed price for your bi-fold doors in writing
Director-level survey, no pressure, and a written fixed price you can compare like-for-like. We get back to you promptly.
FENSA registered·10-year workmanship guarantee· London · Kent · Surrey · South East