Bi-fold and patio doors in Birmingham

Planning your bi-fold or patio doors in Birmingham

This kind of work rarely needs planning permission, but it does have to comply with Building Regulations, and some parts must be certified by a registered installer or signed off by building control. In Birmingham, building control is provided by Birmingham City Council or a registered building control approver (formerly an approved inspector).

Glass in a door must be safety glass up to 1,500 mm above the floor.
Widening an opening needs a structural engineer's design and building control approval.
Solar control glass can help south- and west-facing rooms in Birmingham stay cooler in summer.

Postcode districts: B1, B7, B9, B10, B12, B18
Planning and building control: Birmingham City Council
From our West Bromwich base: About 6 miles to the centre

Options to consider in Birmingham

uPVC bi-fold doors

uPVC bi-folds cost less than aluminium and insulate well, but the frames are chunkier and the maximum panel size is smaller. They work best on openings up to about three metres wide. White, grey and woodgrain finishes are available, and they can be matched to existing uPVC windows on the same wall.

French doors

A pair of hinged doors that open outwards or inwards, sometimes with fixed side panels. French doors suit narrower openings and older houses. They're the simplest and most affordable way to replace an old single back door, or to turn a window into a wider opening onto a patio.

How much should you budget in Birmingham?

Expect to budget between £1,200 and £8,500 per doorset in Birmingham. Three-panel aluminium bi-fold, about 2.4 m wide, in an existing opening: typically £3,200–£4,800 per doorset.

Guide prices for bi-fold and patio doors
Option	Guide price	Good to know
uPVC French or sliding doors	£1,200 – £2,400 per doorset	Openings up to about 1.8 m
Three-panel aluminium bi-fold	£3,000 – £5,000 per doorset	Openings of about 2.4–3 m
Four- or five-panel aluminium bi-fold	£4,800 – £8,500 per doorset	Openings of about 3.6–4.8 m

Guide ranges include VAT where it applies. We confirm a fixed price for the agreed specification after visiting.

Bi-fold and patio doors in Birmingham: common questions

How much mess is involved?

A straight swap creates some dust around the opening, so we sheet the floor and protect nearby units. Widening an opening is messier: there's brick and plaster dust, temporary props in the room and a few days of disruption. We seal off the work area as far as practical and clear up at the end of each day.

How do I book a survey in Birmingham?

Send the form on this page, use the guide-price tool or call 0800 088 6248 free. We'll ask a few questions about your bi-fold or patio doors and arrange a time to visit.

Which is better, bi-fold or sliding doors?

It depends on how you use the space. Bi-folds open almost the whole width, which suits summer living and wide openings onto a patio. Sliders have fewer, larger panes and slimmer frames, so they give a better view when closed and never take up room when open. Sliders are often the better pick where the doors stay shut for most of the year.

Will I need permission from the council in Birmingham?

You won't usually need planning permission, but the work must meet Building Regulations. Building control in Birmingham is provided by Birmingham City Council or a registered building control approver, and some work is self-certified by registered installers.

Bi-fold and patio doors across Birmingham

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Nearby places we cover

Other home improvements in Birmingham

Phone 0800 088 6248 to arrange a visit in Birmingham, with the doors and any structural work priced on separate lines.