Aluminium sliders draw level with bifolds as homeowner tastes evolve

Latest figures from Tommy Trinder reveal a significant milestone in the aluminium door market; sliding patio doors now account for exactly half of all aluminium slider and bifold sales by value. Based on quoting activity from hundreds of installers using the Tommy Trinder platform, aluminium sliding doors have steadily gained ground over the past two years and have now reached parity with bifolds.

“We’ve been watching sliders close the gap for some time,” says Tommy Trinder founder and CEO Chris Brunsdon. “Now they’ve caught up. It’s a fascinating moment because bifolds have dominated the market for well over a decade, but homeowners are increasingly valuing the uninterrupted views, slimmer sightlines and hassle-free operation that modern aluminium sliders deliver.”

The trend reflects a broader maturation of the aluminium market. Once regarded as a specialist product, aluminium is now firmly mainstream, with more installers offering comprehensive aluminium ranges than ever before.

“Competition has intensified as adoption has grown,” Chris continues. “That has helped make aluminium more accessible, while continued innovation in sliding door systems has made them an increasingly compelling option for both contemporary new-builds and renovation projects.”

The figures also underline the importance of presentation during the sales process. Premium products continue to perform strongly when homeowners can properly visualise them.

“Large aluminium sliders are an aspirational purchase,” says Chris. “If you can show a homeowner exactly how a four, five or six-panel slider will transform the rear of their property, the conversation changes completely. The ability to present products photo realistically using Tommy’s ‘Bring It To Life’ feature then output highly professional proposals gives installers a real advantage when selling higher-value installations.”

Commenting on the robustness of the findings, Chris adds: “More than 700 window companies now use Tommy every day to prepare quotations, from independent installers to national businesses across the UK. While our customer base naturally leans towards companies that embrace premium products and modern selling techniques, it provides one of the clearest real-time indicators of changing homeowner demand.”

For installers, the message is clear: aluminium bifolds remain hugely popular, but sliding doors are no longer the challenger. Today, they’re an equal player in the premium patio market.