Doors

Commercial doors that open up your space

For cafés, restaurants, showrooms and retail frontages, aluminium bi-fold and lift & slide doors open up an entire wall to connect inside and outside, then close to a secure, weathertight and thermally efficient seal. We survey, supply and install commercial-grade systems with polyamide thermal breaks, multi-point locking and large glazed panes, specified to PAS 24 security and BS 6375 weather performance where required. Commercial profiles and hardware are engineered for the higher cycle counts and larger sizes that trade use demands.

Aluminium commercial bi-fold doors opening a retail frontageBi-fold doors folded open on a commercial premisesAluminium bi-fold doors on a shopfrontAluminium lift and slide doors on a commercial frontageLarge-pane lift and slide doors on a showroom
Options

Your options

Bi-Fold Doors

Aluminium leaves hinged together that concertina and stack to one or both sides, opening most of the aperture. Choose these to fully open a café or retail frontage and create seamless indoor-outdoor trading, with a single traffic leaf for everyday access.

Lift & Slide Doors

Large sliding panels on a mechanism that lifts each sash off its seals onto rollers for effortless movement across wide spans. Choose these for very large glazed openings, slim sightlines and expansive fixed glazing that glides rather than folds.

Why it matters

Why retailers choose Swift for doors

Open-up frontage

Transform a retail or hospitality space by opening most of the wall for indoor-outdoor trading and kerb appeal.

Thermal efficiency

Polyamide thermal breaks and modern glazing cut heat loss; well-specified systems reach low U-values to support Building Regulations compliance.

Commercial-grade durability

Heavier profiles, gearing and hardware built for frequent daily use and larger, heavier leaves than domestic systems.

Security when closed

Multi-point locking, high-security cylinders and PAS 24-tested options protect the premises out of hours.

Weathertight sealing

Tested to BS 6375 / BS EN 14351-1 for air, water and wind resistance on exposed frontages.

Accessible thresholds

Low or flush threshold options support level, wheelchair-friendly access in line with accessibility guidance.

Specification

Built for commercial use

  • Thermally broken aluminium profiles (polyamide thermal break) for strength and low heat transfer
  • Large glazed panes; double or triple glazing with laminated / toughened options
  • Bi-fold: multi-leaf configs, inward/outward opening, one/both-side stacking, traffic-door leaf
  • Lift & slide: cam-action handle lifts the sash onto rollers for effortless movement across wide spans
  • Multi-point locking with intermediate shoot-bolts; 3-star (TS007) high-security cylinders available
  • Threshold options from weathered upstand to low / flush for level access
  • Finishes: single or dual-colour polyester powder-coat, full RAL range, optional woodgrain
  • PAS 24 enhanced security and BS 6375 weathertightness options; UKCA / CE markable to BS EN 14351-1
Where we fit

Typical applications

  • Café, bar & restaurant frontages and terraces
  • Retail shopfronts & showrooms opening to the street
  • Car, kitchen & furniture showrooms
  • Hotel, leisure & members’-club spaces
  • Garden centres, delis & food halls
  • Premises linking trading floor to courtyard
Standards

Specified & tested to recognised standards

We can specify and test products to the relevant British and European standards for your project.

BS EN 14351-1 Product standard for external pedestrian doorsets, the basis for UKCA / CE marking and declared performance.
BS 6375 (Parts 1–3) Performance of windows and doors, weathertightness, operation/strength and security guidance.
PAS 24 Enhanced security performance test for doorsets, laminated glass and a high-security cylinder are typically required.
Secured by Design UK police-preferred scheme, achievable with PAS 24-tested doorsets.
Approved Document L Conservation of fuel and power, thermal / U-value requirements for new and replacement doors.
Approved Document M / BS 8300 Access to and use of buildings, supports low / level thresholds for inclusive access.
FAQs

Common questions

What is the difference between bi-fold and lift & slide?

Bi-folds fold and stack to clear most of the opening, best for fully opening a frontage. Lift & slide doors glide large panels past each other with slimmer sightlines and bigger individual panes, but one panel’s width always remains glazed. Bi-folds maximise clear opening; lift & slide maximises glass and view.

Are these different from domestic doors?

Yes. Commercial-grade systems use heavier profiles, hardware and gearing rated for higher daily cycle counts and larger, heavier leaves, and are specified to withstand trade footfall.

How secure are they when closed?

Multi-point locking, intermediate shoot-bolts and high-security (3-star / TS007) cylinders are standard options, and doorsets can be PAS 24 tested. Laminated glass is normally required for full PAS 24 compliance.

Are they warm enough for year-round trading?

Yes, polyamide thermal breaks and modern glazing deliver low U-values, and well-specified systems support Approved Document L compliance for year-round comfort.

Can I have level access for wheelchairs and trolleys?

Yes, low or flush threshold options provide near-level access in line with Approved Document M / BS 8300; we balance accessibility against weather exposure at survey.

Get a free, no-obligation quote

Tell us about your site and we’ll arrange a free survey, with prices back to you within 24 hours.