Origin Bi-Folds: Artisan Windows

Origin Bifold Doors: Open Up Your World

Bifold Doors: Guide

Origin offers a range of bifold systems, allowing you to choose the perfect balance of view, security, and thermal efficiency for your project. The key difference between the models is the width of the frame where the doors meet—the sightline.

Model	Sightline (Where doors meet)	U-Value (Thermal Performance)	Best For
OB-36+ (Contemporary & Soho Collection)	36mm (Ultra-slim)	Up to 0.78 W/m²K	More glass, slim frames, Architecturally-driven projects and steel-look aesthetics.
OB-49	49mm (Slimline)	Up to 1.1 W/m²K	Modern extensions requiring more glass and less frame.
OB-72	72mm (Robust/Original)	Up to 1.3 W/m²K	Traditional homes and larger apertures requiring maximum strength.

The Advantage: Performance & Engineering

1. Effortless Free-Glide System

The hallmark of an Origin door is its smooth, almost silent operation.This is thanks to a custom-designed free-glide running system featuring high-grade acetal wheels on a stainless steel track. Even large,heavy panels glide open with a gentle push.

2. Industry-Leading Security (8-Point Locking)

Origin doors are designed to keep your family safe. Every external door is equipped with:

Unique 8-Point Locking: A robust mechanism that engages multi-directional bolts and hooks for maximum security.
3-Star Diamond Cylinder: The market's highest-security cylinder lock, proven to resist snapping, picking, and drilling.
PAS 24 Certification: Confirms the doors meet the highest industry standards for enhanced security.

3. Superior Thermal Efficiency

Built for the UK climate, Origin doors use polyamide thermal breaks to create an insulating barrier within the frame. This prevents heat loss and helps the doors achieve excellent U-Values, keeping your home warm,lowering your energy bills, and complying with all current building regulations.

4. Family-Friendly Design

Safety is designed into the product, which is particularly important for family homes:

Finger-Safe Gaskets: These innovative gaskets sit between the folding panels, preventing small fingers from getting trapped when the doors are closed.
Magnetic Catches: Hold the doors neatly and securely in place when they are fully open, preventing unwanted movement in the wind.

Total Customisation for Your Home

Your new bifold doors are built bespoke to your exact specifications:

Traffic Door: Include a single access door within the set that acts like a traditional back door, allowing you quick access to the garden without folding back the entire system.
Threshold Options: Choose a weathered threshold for maximum protection against the elements, or an ultra-low flush thresholdthat can be recessed into the floor for a virtually seamless, trip-free link between your internal and external spaces.
Over 150 RAL Colours: From popular Anthracite Grey to vibrant bespoke shades, you can also select a Dual Colour finish—a different colour inside to match your decor and a different colour outside to match your external brickwork or render.
Configuration: Ranging from two panels to up to ten, you can choose whether the doors fold inwards or outwards, and whether they stack to the left, right, or split in the middle.

The Confidence of a 20-Year Guarantee

As every component is designed and manufactured by Origin, they stand behind their product with an unrivalled 20-year manufacturer’s guarantee, ensuring peace of mind for two decades.

Ready to experience the best in bifold doors?

Click to access the Bi-folding OB49 & OB 72 Door Brochure

Click to access the Bi-folding OB36 Contemporary Door Brochure

Click to access the Bi-folding OB36 Soho ( Steel Look ) Door Brochure

Bifolds vs. Sliding Doors: Which is Right for You?

While both systems use premium-grade aluminium and offer a 20-year guarantee, the way they transform your room is distinct. One offers a 100% opening, while the other offers a 100% view.

At a Glance: The Key Differences

Feature	Origin Bifold Doors (OB-49 / OB-72)	Origin Sliding Doors (OS-20 / OS-29 / OS-44)
The Opening	Folds back completely to open 95% of the aperture.	Panels slide behind each other (one panel always remains).
The View	More vertical frames (sightlines) when closed.	Large glass panes with ultra-slim frames for panoramic views.
Space Needs	Needs space for the "stack" of folded doors (inside or out).	Panels stay on the track; no extra floor space required.
Daily Use	Can include a "Traffic Door" for quick garden access.	You must slide one of the large panels to step outside.
Thresholds	Completely flush, seamless transitions possible.	Very low thresholds (approx. 12mm-20mm) but rarely dead-flush.
Cost	Bi-folding doors tend to be a more cost effective option.	Sliding doors tend to be slightly more expensive than bi-folding doors

Choosing between Origin Bifold Doors and Origin Sliding Doors is one of the most common dilemmas for homeowners. Both products are engineered to the highest standards in the UK, but they offer very different ways of living.

The Case for Bifold Doors

Best for: Entertaining and creating a true indoor-outdoor flow.

Origin Bifolds (like the ultra-slim OB-49) are designed to disappear. When fully opened, the boundary between your kitchen and patio is entirely removed.

The Traffic Door Advantage: Most Origin bifold configurations allow for a "lead door." This functions like a standard back door, allowing you to let the dog out or take out the bins without unfolding the entire system.
Versatility: Bifolds can fold inwards or outwards and stack to the left, right, or both.
Perfect for Families: Origin’s unique finger-safe gaskets prevent small fingers from getting trapped in the hinges.

The Case for Sliding Doors

Best for: Panoramic views and homes where floor space is at a premium.

If your home overlooks a beautiful garden or landscape, Origin Sliding Doors (like the OS-20 Artisan) act as a giant picture frame.

Minimal Sightlines: With meeting stiles as slim as 20mm, you get an almost uninterrupted wall of glass.
Year-Round Views: In the UK, doors are closed for most of the year. Sliding doors provide a better view during the winter months because there are fewer vertical frames blocking the light.
Space Saving: Because the panels slide along a track rather than swinging out, they are the perfect choice for balconies or smaller patios where you don't want a "stack" of doors taking up room.