Bi-fold and patio doors in Solihull

Planning your bi-fold or patio doors in Solihull

Live in a conservation area or a listed building in Solihull? Check with Solihull 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.

Bi-fold and patio doors must meet a U-value of 1.4 W/m²K or an equivalent energy rating.
Sliding doors never swing into the room, which helps in a kitchen where space is tight.
Widening an opening needs a structural engineer's design and building control approval.

Postcode district: B91
Planning and building control: Solihull Council
From our West Bromwich base: About 12 miles to the centre

Choices to weigh up in Solihull

Aluminium bi-fold doors

Slim, strong aluminium frames carry large glass panels and are made with a thermal break to meet energy rules. Three to six panels are typical, with a traffic door for everyday use so you don't open the whole set. They come powder-coated in almost any colour and suit kitchens and new extensions.

Widening an opening

Turning a window into doors, or making an opening wider, means cutting the wall and fitting a new lintel or steel beam sized by a structural engineer. Building control must approve the structural work. We organise the calculations, temporary supports, steel and making good, and show these costs on their own lines in your quote.

How much should you budget in Solihull?

Prices in Solihull match the rest of our area: £1,200–£8,500 per doorset. Three-panel aluminium bi-fold, about 2.4 m wide, in an existing opening: usually £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.

Your questions answered

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 Solihull?

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.

How long does fitting take?

Fitting doors into a ready opening usually takes one to two days. If we're widening the opening, allow another two to four days for propping, cutting, fitting the beam, inspection and making good. Manufacture usually takes four to eight weeks after the design is signed off, depending on the material and colour.

Will I need permission from the council in Solihull?

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

Bi-fold and patio doors across Solihull

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Bi-fold and patio doors near Solihull

Other home improvements in Solihull

Not sure whether bi-folds or sliders suit your room? We'll talk it through on site in Solihull, with no obligation.