Bi-fold and patio doors in Northfield

What should you know before starting in Northfield?

Live in a conservation area or a listed building in Northfield? Check with Birmingham City Council before changing the outside of your home. Otherwise the main rules for your bi-fold or patio doors are Building Regulations, and we'll explain at the survey which certificates you'll receive.

Glass in a door must be safety glass up to 1,500 mm above the floor.
A flush threshold needs the outside ground set lower, with drainage in front of the door.
Bi-fold and patio doors must meet a U-value of 1.4 W/m²K or an equivalent energy rating.

Postcode district: B31
Planning and building control: Birmingham City Council
From our West Bromwich base: 7 miles

Choices to weigh up in Northfield

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.

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.

How much should you budget in Northfield?

Guide prices start at £1,200 and run to £8,500 per doorset. Three-panel aluminium bi-fold, about 2.4 m wide, in an existing opening: around £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. Access, parking and the state of what's there now can move the price — the survey settles it.

Bi-fold and patio doors in Northfield: 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.

Do you cover Northfield?

Yes. Northfield (B31) is about 7 miles from our West Bromwich base and inside the area we cover. Call 0800 088 6248 or send the form on this page to book a free survey.

What guarantee comes with the doors?

The frames, glass, rollers and locks are covered by the manufacturer's guarantee, and the terms for your doors are set out in your quote. Ask how sealed units, running gear and powder coating are covered, as these vary between systems. Keep the guarantee with your certificate and any structural sign-off from building control.

Does Birmingham City Council need to approve my bi-fold or patio doors?

You won't usually need planning permission, but the work must meet Building Regulations. Building control in Northfield 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 near Northfield

Other home improvements in Northfield

Get the opening measured and the lintel checked: book a free survey in Northfield and we'll put it all in a written quote.