Bi-fold and patio doors are one of the most popular home improvements in Barnsley, and for good reason. They flood a room with light and open the house up to the garden. But that much glass brings its own problems: glare on the TV, heat in summer, cold in winter, and neighbours who can see straight in once the lights go on.
The tricky part is that a bi-fold door moves. Anything you fit has to fold away with it, or stay clear of it. Here are the options that genuinely work, and when to choose each.
1. Perfect Fit blinds: the best all-rounder for bi-folds
Perfect Fit blinds clip into a slim frame that sits inside each glass panel. Nothing is drilled into the door, and nothing hangs loose, so the blind folds away with the door as one.
- No drilling into your doors or frames
- Each panel is controlled separately
- Available as Venetian, pleated and roller styles
- Nothing to catch or swing when the doors open
For most bi-folds we fit in Barnsley, Wakefield and Rotherham, this is the one we recommend first. The only thing to check is the depth of your glazing beads, which we do on our free measure.
2. Vertical blinds: best value for sliding patio doors
For traditional sliding patio doors, vertical blinds are hard to beat. They stack neatly to one side, the slats tilt to control light and privacy, and a wide door can be covered in one blind at a sensible price. Modern fabrics look far smarter than the office verticals many people remember.
3. Tracked shutters: the premium option
If you want the door to look like a finished piece of the room, tracked shutters slide and fold along a track in front of the doors. They add insulation and privacy, and they look superb in a garden room or kitchen extension. They cost more, and you'll need space either side of the door for the panels to stack.
Quick comparison
- Best for bi-folds: Perfect Fit
- Best budget option for sliding doors: Vertical blinds
- Best high-end finish: Tracked shutters
Things to check before you buy
- Handle clearance: blinds must clear the door handles when open.
- Which way the doors fold: this affects where verticals or shutters can stack.
- Heat and glare: south-facing doors may benefit from a solar-reflective fabric.
- Pets and children: Perfect Fit has no loose cords, which makes it a safe choice.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put blinds on bi-fold doors without drilling?
Yes. Perfect Fit frames push into the glazing beads, so there's no drilling into the door at all.
Do blinds stop bi-fold doors opening fully?
Not if you choose the right type. Perfect Fit moves with the door; verticals and shutters stack to the side.
Free measure and quote across Barnsley and South Yorkshire
We measure, supply and fit across Barnsley, Penistone, Wombwell, Hoyland, Darton, Royston, Cudworth and Dodworth, as well as Wakefield, Rotherham and Sheffield. Book your free home visit and we'll bring samples to you, so you can see colours and fabrics in your own light before you decide.