Bi-folds go on growing – AMA
25th October 2016

The UK market for bi-fold doors is expected to match last year’s 12% growth this year, then put on a further 7% a year until 2020, according to a new report by AMA Research.

Rising from a low installed base, bi-fold demand has increased sharply in recent years. The market is a relatively new and expanding sector, worth over £70m at manufacturers prices.

A key driver of market growth has been consumer interest in bi-folds, the report continues, with the residential market accounting for over 50% of sales, while suppliers themselves have contributed to the growth of the market through new developments in frame materials, styles, colours and features.

AMA’s report assesses the market by frame material and, while aluminium is the dominant frame material, timber accounts for around 20% of the market. Overall, the trend for maximising natural light has resulted in increased glazing used for entrance and patio doors and internal doors. Home extensions are a key market – with around 200,000 extensions per annum offering good market prospects for manufacturers and installers alike with bifolds popular where homeowners are extending kitchens/living areas and want a more open link to the outdoors.

In the commercial office sector, bi-folds have increased in use as interior doors which offer natural light, but offer flexibility by enabling rooms to be expanded or contracted easily. They are also popular for car showrooms and similar businesses allowing easier movement of vehicles and products. Bi-folds have also been in use for many years in the leisure sector as exterior doors for restaurants and bistros, and internal space dividers in the health & fitness sector. Within the leisure sector, replacements feature importantly as older style bi-folds are changed for newer styles and frame materials and more easily operating features.

“The supply structure remains complex and fragmented, but increasingly competitive, as many window and door companies now offer bi-fold doors” said Andrew Hartley, Director of AMA Research. “A number of companies that originally focused on single materials – eg. aluminium, PVCu or timber – have extended product ranges to include alternative material products in order to widen channel exposure. Bi-fold doors have also seen wider distribution generally in recent years, particularly through retail DIY/home improvement multiples and online.”

Current AMA forecasts indicate steady to good growth into the medium-term with the bi-fold doors market growing by around 7% per annum to 2020. Factors likely to have a positive impact on volume and value growth include housebuilding completions, the house moving market, trend for higher value replacements and steady levels of home improvement projects. Bi-fold doors are likely to remain a key product sector for retail window and door companies with second/third time replacements likely to impact on the market in future years.

The impact of Brexit on the residential newbuild and RMI sectors remains extremely difficult to forecast and implications are likely to become clearer as the UK eventually begins the process of negotiation. However, as a minimum, the uncertainty created by the situation may cause the market to become more volatile and may lead to reduced levels of spending on home improvements – though the appeal of bifold doors looks looks set to underpin demand going forward.

The ‘Bi-fold Doors Market Report – UK 2016-2020 Analysis’ report, published by AMA Research, is available now and can be ordered online at www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724.