Bristol Bifold Team Make TV Debut on BBC One's DIY SOS

When the call came in from the BBC, we didn't quite believe it at first. Being invited to take part in DIY SOS: The Big Build — Nick Knowles' long-running renovation programme — was something none of us had expected. But when we heard about the family whose home needed transforming, we knew we had to say yes.

The project was a four-bedroom house in Bristol. The family had been struggling for years with a poorly designed back of house — a dark, narrow kitchen that felt completely cut off from the garden. Their children spent their summers playing outside while mum and dad were stuck inside, unable to even see them from the kitchen window. The bifold doors were going to change all of that.

What we installed

We supplied and installed a set of Origin OB-72 aluminium bifold doors across the full rear of the kitchen extension — a 4.8-metre opening with a four-panel configuration. The doors were finished in Anthracite Grey on the outside and White on the inside to match the new kitchen's cabinetry.

The installation had to be completed inside 48 hours as part of the programme's intensive build schedule. Our team of four worked through the night to get the structural opening cleared, the cill installed, and the door unit hung before the morning reveal. It was a long shift, but hearing the family's reaction made every hour worth it.

"We couldn't believe it. The kitchen went from being the room we least wanted to be in, to the room we never want to leave. The doors are just incredible."

Working with the DIY SOS team

The programme brings together tradespeople from across the industry, and the coordination required is impressive. Our team worked alongside builders, electricians, plumbers and decorators — all simultaneously transforming different parts of the property.

Nick Knowles was on site throughout and is exactly as you'd expect — engaged, energetic and genuinely invested in the family's story. He took a real interest in the door specification, particularly the thermal performance and security features.

What made this project special

• The family had been on the waiting list for help for over 18 months
• The extension had been quoted but never started — this was their chance
• The 4.8m opening was the largest we'd installed under programme conditions
• The reveal moment was filmed in one take — no second chances

The episode aired on BBC One and is now available on BBC iPlayer. If you'd like to see the finished result — and the family's reaction — search for "DIY SOS Bristol 2024".

Thinking about bifold doors for your project?

Whether it's a kitchen extension, a new build, or a renovation, our team has been installing aluminium bifold and sliding doors across Bristol and the South West for over 20 years. We'd love to talk through your project.