Bi Fold (Bi-Fold) patio doors are amazing and WinDor vs La Cantina is a good place to start.  These manufacturers (three if you add Western Doors, see bottom of article) are building great products.  Jeld-Wen recently acquired La Cantina and Shea Homes started installing WinDor.  Here is why I decided to buy and install WinDor.

Cost.  WinDor gets the nod here.  WinDor (comparing like for like) is between 10% to 35% cheaper.  This is considerable when you're talking $15K per door!  Additionally I prefer the way WinDor does their pricing.  Its simpler and allows you to make changes to number of panels, openings, etc. without it changing the cost.

Integrated Screens.  WinDor vs La Cantina?  Half point for La Cantina.  La Cantina gives you the option to integrate a screen system right into the frame of the door.  The screens can be left to right, right to left or meet in the middle.  Windor has no integrated solution and uses an after market company called Genius Screens and their ZigZag product.  See pictures below. Something to consider when choosing between these manufacturers and also you need to decide at the time you order.  Note:  With La Cantina, once you order (with or without screens), there is no going back .... so choose wisely.  However you could always add screens with a product like the one mentioned above from ZigZag.

Engineering.  Its a TIE!  CFR Title 24 has forced both companies to address their aluminum framed doors, not as much the vinyl doors.  La Cantina got out of the gates just a tad sooner with the bi-fold doors but WinDor makes one heck of a product.  So, with the exception of the integrated screens as noted above, its a dead heat as called by this average Joe.

Function.  Another boring TIE.  Both doors are top hung, unlike more traditional multi-slide or OXXO doors.  Both doors glide easily and I would say so easily that even my four year old could do it.  Locking mechanisms, hinges and tracks are all very comparable.

My Final Thoughts

The players when considering Bi-Fold Patio Doors.

  • WinDor.  Clearly!  We bought them, loved the company, North County San Diego, and even close to Stone Brewery if you're making a trip. :)
  • La Cantina.  Very nice doors but they don't have a showroom (at time this was written) likely due to the acquisition by Jeld-wen.
  • Western.  Another great player, more expensive but worth a look if you're in the market.