Choosing between Origin’s sliding and bi-fold doors

There is a growing demand for statement glazing as self-builders and renovators look to harness the transformational impact of light in their own grand designs. Natural light is a powerful design tool and bi-folds or sliding doors have a dramatic effect on how a room looks, feels and is used.

Origin, the British manufacturer of premium aluminium glazing, has developed two standout options for modern homes: the OB-36+ Bi-fold Door and the OS-29+ Sliding Door. Offering cutting-edge performance, bespoke finishes and slim sightlines, each door is capable of creating a very different kind of space in a home.

OB-36+: Made for sociable living

If creating a space for hosting – family lunches, lively garden parties, or taking full advantage of a summer’s day – feature in your design plans, the OB-36+ Bi-fold is well worth considering. 

Designed for flexibility, it features individual panels up to 1.2m wide and 2.8m tall, creating dramatic walls of glass. Fold them back completely, and every barrier disappears, letting life spill effortlessly into the garden. It’s a door that transforms entertaining, blurring the line between indoors and out. 

Looks are every bit as impressive. With steel-style aesthetics available, the OB-36+ can be specified to bring a touch of industrial design, and with over 150 RAL colours available, it lets you personalise the finish, whether you are looking for timeless black, soft neutrals or a bold accent shade. 

And while style leads the way, reassurance comes built in. Crafted from high-grade aluminium, it combines slim sightlines with strength, delivering superior thermal performance to keep spaces comfortable year-round. In addition, the multi-point locking provides peace of mind, proving that security and elegance can go hand in hand. 

This is the choice for homeowners who want versatility and striking aesthetics, as well a home designed for sociable, open-plan living. 

OS-29+: Designed for minimalist elegance

For others, the dream home is about creating a sense of calm. Clean lines, uninterrupted views, and a sense of seamless connection between inside and out. That’s where the OS-29+ Sliding Door excels. 

With sightlines of just 29mm, the slimmest in Origin’s range, the OS-29+ creates a near-frameless wall of glass that floods interiors with daylight. Its expansive glazed panels, up to 2.2m wide and 2.6m tall individually, open up living spaces to the outdoors, offering panoramic views that change with the seasons. 

Origin’s OS-29+ is more than just beauty. It’s also the most thermally efficient aluminium sliding door on the UK market, achieving U-Values as low as 0.78 W/m²K. For homeowners, that means warmth in winter, coolness in summer, and reduced energy bills – all without compromising on design. 

Design detailing has also been carefully considered. From concealed tracks and flush stacking options to square beading and colour-coded interlock caps, every element contributes to a refined architectural finish.  

And for those seeking a whole home solution, Origin’s Signature Knurled handle brings design continuity across the range.  

Designed with security as a priority, the OS-29+ exceeds PAS:24 standards with a multi-point lock and 3-Star Diamond Cylinder for complete peace of mind. Combined with the strength of aluminium, it’s a system built to last. 

This is the choice for homeowners who want minimalism, elegance, and high performance. 

The Origin difference

Whichever system speaks to your vision, every Origin product is designed and manufactured in Buckinghamshire with an obsessive attention to detail. From bespoke finishes to precision engineering, quality is built into every stage. And with a guarantee of up to 20–years – one of the industry’s longest – you can be confident your doors will perform beautifully for decades

Delivering your vision

Choosing the right doors for your home is more than just a practical decision. It is about lifestyle. Whether you see your home as a sociable hub, where bi-folds open wide and life flows seamlessly into the garden or you picture calm mornings, coffee in hand, looking through uninterrupted glass at the view beyond, the right glazing choice can deliver it.

Discover more at origin-global.com/doors/aluminium-bifold-doors or find your local installer at origin-global.com/find-local-installer