Heritage Style Bifold Doors
Industrial-chic character to your property with our Heritage Style Bifold Doors

Bring classic industrial-chic character to your property with our Heritage Style Bifold Doors. These aluminium bi-fold doors recreate the look of traditional steel doors (often seen in heritage buildings or Art-Deco designs) while providing modern performance and thermal efficiency. Slender glazing bars and slimline frames give an authentic vintage appearance – the iconic “Crittall” steel look – but in a maintenance-free aluminium system. BM Bifolding Doors fabricates these heritage bifolds using the latest Smart Systems profiles, ensuring you achieve the retro style without sacrificing security or insulation. They are the perfect solution for renovations, extensions on period properties, or anyone seeking a fashionable internal-external room divider with timeless appeal.

  • Authentic Steel-Look Design: Ultra-slim sightlines (as narrow as ~59 mm at the door meeting stile) replicate classic steel French doors and screens. Slim horizontal glazing bars and optional grid layouts give a vintage industrial aesthetic that’s virtually indistinguishable from original steel windows.
  • Modern Thermal Performance: Though they look vintage, these bifolds are fully modern inside. A thermally broken aluminium frame and 28–36 mm glazed units achieve U-values around 1.5 W/m²K – far warmer than old steel doors. You get period style with energy-efficient, draft-free comfort.
  • Secure & Robust: Built with internal reinforcing and multi-point locks, our heritage bifolds meet PAS 24 security standards. You can enjoy expansive glass and classic looks without worrying about safety. Laminated security glass upgrades are available for added peace of mind (meeting Document Q requirements for security).

  • Tailored for Character Properties: The heritage system was designed as a direct replacement for traditional steel doors. It’s ideal for conservation areas or Victorian/Georgian homes, maintaining the sightlines and elegance of original designs while adding modern convenience. Even narrow mullions and transoms are possible to match original patterns.

  • Premium Finish & Details: Every detail complements the vintage look – from black or graphite powder-coat finishes to classic handle designs and slim backplates. We align mullions and glazing bars seamlessly across door sets, achieving an “industrial” grid appearance that design-savvy homeowners and architects adore.

For Trade Professionals

Our Heritage Style bifolds allow you to tap into the booming demand for steel-look glazing in both residential and commercial projects. As a fabricator/installer, you’ll appreciate that BM Bifolding Doors uses the Smart Heritage system, which integrates with the popular Smart Visofold series. This means familiar fabrication techniques and easy sourcing of sections and hardware. We supply heritage bifolds with pre-fitted glazing bars and all needed hardware, simplifying on-site assembly. Trade clients benefit from competitive lead times (usually 5–6 weeks) and bespoke designs – odd sizes or shapes (like arched head bifolds) can be accommodated to match architectural features. We also offer training and support on installing these doors, as they have specific sightline alignment considerations. By offering Heritage Style bifolds, you can provide your customers with a high-end, design-focused product that’s backed by our technical expertise. It’s a great upsell for period refurbishments, trendy bars/restaurants, or loft-style interiors, giving the classic steel look with the practicality of aluminium.

For Homeowners &
Business Owners

Heritage Style Bifold Doors are perfect for homeowners aiming for that charming industrial or Art Deco vibe. When closed, the multiple small panes divided by slim grids create a classic atelier window feel – a gorgeous design feature in itself. When open, they fold away to transform your space with fresh air and open-plan flexibility. These doors complement converted barns, warehouse lofts, or extensions on older homes, preserving character while introducing 21st-century comfort. Businesses like cafés, galleries, or boutique shops also love the style – it offers a distinctive frontage that echoes historic storefronts and draws the eye of customers. Despite the traditional look, you won’t be dealing with rust, repainting, or rattling panes: our aluminium heritage doors are low-maintenance and built to last, with durable powder-coated finishes that won’t chip or peel. Double weather seals keep out drafts, and modern gearing ensures even large multi-panel sets slide open smoothly. You get the best of both worlds – heritage aesthetics and contemporary reliability – enhancing your property’s curb appeal and value.

  • Steel-Look Profiles: Slim 47 mm wide frame sections with applied glazing bars to mimic traditional steel doors. Choice of configurations: e.g., full-height grid panels or a single horizontal mid-rail for a classic warehouse look.
  • Configurations: Available from 2 up to 6 panels. Can open inward or outward; outward-opening is common for external use (preserves interior space). A floating mullion design (no fixed post) means when double-doors within the bifold are open, you get an unobstructed opening.
  • Hardware: Heritage-style handles and hinges in finishes like black, bronze, or satin steel. Multi-point locking operates via a slim lever handle on the primary door, with shoot bolts on folding sections. Option for heritage peg stays (dummy stay bars) for decoration if desired.
  • Thermal & Weather Specs: Built with the Smart Visofold thermal platform – polyamide thermal breaks and high-performance glazing. Fully compliant with new 2022 Part L standards for refurbishment and new build. Weather tested to achieve up to Class 8A water tightness and Class 3 wind resistance, keeping driving rain and drafts out.
  • Integration: These doors pair beautifully with our Alitherm Heritage windows or AluSpace internal screens for a consistent look. Sightlines align across products for mix-and-match installations (like a fixed heritage window above a bifold door). Transoms or mullions can be added to the bifold frame to mirror window patterns above or alongside.

Our heritage bifolds are most popular in classic finishes like Black (RAL 9005 matt) or Anthracite Grey (RAL 7016 matt), imitating traditional steel frame paint. White and other bespoke RAL colours are available on request – we can even do a dual-colour (e.g., black exterior, white interior) to suit interior design. We use a durable powder-coat finish with a slight texture to resemble old steel. Tip: A matt or satin finish often looks more authentic than high gloss. All colours are UV-stable and come with a 10-year surface guarantee.

Supplied with 28 mm double-glazed units as standard, comprising toughened safety glass (clear or with an optional heritage-style pattern). The narrow sightlines mean mullion spacing is optimized for double glazing; triple glazing (36 mm units) is possible for extra insulation if required. We can fit integral Georgian bars within the glass or apply astragal bars on the outside to enhance the heritage look – however, our preferred method is to use true aluminium glazing bars (attached to the frame) for the slimmest, most authentic appearance. Glass options include laminated glass for security, textured or frosted glass for privacy in bottom panels or bathroom-adjacent doors, and various tint levels if you want to reduce glare. All units are built to modern standards – argon filled, Low-E coated – ensuring the classic look doesn’t mean cold spots or condensation.

Please refer to our Heritage Bifold Doors Brochure for detailed specifications, configuration diagrams, and inspiration photos. Technical documents like the installation guide, cross-section drawings, and maintenance instructions are also available for download. If you’re renovating a listed building or in a conservation area, we can provide documentation on the system’s sightlines and profiles to assist with planning approval (download our Heritage Profiles Datasheet for planners/architects). All relevant download links are provided in the “Downloads” tab of this page for easy access.