The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Glazing for Your Home: Sliding vs Bifold vs Fixed

At Bespoke Glazing Design, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners make the best choice for their properties. Few decisions are as impactful when it comes to transforming your home as choosing the right type of glazing. 

We are taking a closer look at the three most popular types of architectural glazing: sliding doors, bifold doors, and fixed glazing, and explain how to choose the one that best suits your lifestyle and design vision.

Why Your Glazing Choice Matters

Modern glazing is about far more than aesthetics. The right system enhances your home’s comfort, value, and livability. High-performance glazing improves insulation, maximises natural light, and creates seamless transitions between indoors and out. It also contributes to security and energy efficiency, making it a worthwhile long-term investment.

 

Sliding Doors: Sleek and Effortless

Sliding glass doors are perfect for contemporary homes. Unlike hinged doors, sliding panels don’t encroach into your living area, giving you greater freedom in furniture placement and room layout. These doors offer smooth, quiet operation and can be motorised for extra convenience.

 

Bifold Doors: Open Up Your Living Space

Bifold doors offer a dynamic and visually striking solution for those who love entertaining or want a stronger connection to their garden. With multiple configurations and finishes, they adapt beautifully to many styles and layouts. They require a bit more space for stacking when opened, but the payoff in openness and natural light is well worth it.

 

Fixed Glazing: Framing the Outside World

Fixed glazing, often overlooked, can become one of a home’s most powerful architectural elements. These non-opening panels let in maximum light and are excellent for highlighting views, framing staircases, or filling double-height walls. Thanks to their airtight construction, they’re also some of the most energy-efficient glazing options.

While they don’t provide ventilation, fixed panels work wonderfully alongside operable systems. At BGD, we tailor each installation to suit the design and functionality of your home, ensuring that your fixed glazing doesn’t just look good, it works smart too.

 

One of our Projects in Hill Brow, Hove

Our recent project in Hill Brow, Hove, is an excellent example of how different glazing types can work together. In this luxurious 6,800 square foot property, we installed a mix of sliding, bifold, and fixed glazing systems from Cortizo. The result is a space that feels bright, open, and in tune with its coastal surroundings—proof that the right combination of systems can truly transform a home.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Many homeowners ask if they can combine different types of glazing in one project. The answer is a resounding yes. Using a mix often leads to the most versatile and visually interesting results. Security is another common concern, and we’re proud to say all our Cortizo installations meet PAS 24 standards, offering peace of mind without sacrificing elegance.

As for planning permission, most replacements or additions are permitted development, but if your property is listed or in a conservation area, it’s best to consult your local planning authority.

Ready to Start Your Project?

 

If you’re considering new glazing for your home, we are here to help. From choosing the right system to ensuring expert installation, we’ll guide you every step of the way.

Book your free consultation today, and let’s explore how high-performance glazing can transform your home, inside and out.