Cortizo vs Origin Bifold Doors: Which Is Better in 2026?

Cortizo and Origin are two premium aluminium bifold brands that we supply and install. They come at the market from different angles: Cortizo is a Spanish systems company whose profile we fabricate into finished doors in our own Uxbridge workshop, while Origin is a British manufacturer whose doors we install as an Origin Approved Partner. Both make genuinely premium bifolds, and we supply and install both, so this comparison is about which system fits your project. If you already know you want Origin, our Origin bifold doors page has the full specification and quote options.

Quick Decision Frame

Choose the Cortizo Bi-fold Plus Door if you want a reduced 110mm central junction in an 80mm frame, fabrication in our own Uxbridge workshop, or specialist anodised and textured finishes.

Choose the Origin OB-36+ if slim frames are the priority. The OB-36+ has a 36mm sash and just 84mm of frame between panes at the hinge, it reaches 0.78 W/m²K with triple glazing, it is tested to PAS 24:2022 and it comes in Origin's Soho, Gallery and Georgian styles.

Choose the Origin OB-49 or OB-72 if you want an established bifold with strong weather ratings, up to 12 doors on one jamb, Secured by Design under 2,500mm tall and Origin's guarantee of up to 20 years on parts.

At a Glance

Company Background

Cortizo is a Spanish aluminium systems manufacturer headquartered in Padrón, Galicia. It extrudes its own aluminium and supplies profile to accredited fabricators. We are one of them: we cut, machine and assemble Cortizo profile into finished bifolds in our Uxbridge workshop.

Origin is a British aluminium door and window manufacturer founded in 2002 by cousins Neil Ginger and Victoria Brocklesby, headquartered in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Origin describes itself as the UK's leading manufacturer of aluminium bi-folding doors and windows, runs its own in-house powder-coating facility, holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 accreditation, and received The Queen's Award for Enterprise: International Trade in 2020.

Sightlines and Looks

The number in an Origin model name is the sash width (36, 49 or 72mm). The figure that matters visually is the glass-to-glass sightline, which is what you see between two panes at the hinge.

Cortizo Bi-fold Plus Door

• Frame depth: 80mm
• Reduced central junction: 110mm
• Whole-door U-value from 1.3 W/m²K

Origin OB-36+

• Sash width: 36mm
• Glass-to-glass at the hinge: 84mm
• Frame depth: 82mm
• Up to 14 panels and 15,000mm wide with track connectors
• Soho, Gallery and Georgian styles; Soho adds a traditional lock block and integral glazing divides for a steel-framed look

Origin OB-49 and OB-72

• Sash width: 49mm and 72mm
• Glass-to-glass at the hinge: 110mm (OB-49) and 154mm (OB-72)
• Frame depth: 75mm on both
• Up to 12 doors on one jamb, and up to 27,600mm wide with joining tracks

Result: The Origin OB-36+ is the slimmest of these systems at the hinge. The Cortizo Bi-fold Plus Door's central junction and the OB-49's hinge sightline both measure 110mm, and the OB-72 has the widest sightline at 154mm. For the full brand-by-brand picture see our best aluminium bifold door brands guide and our Origin bifold door page, which has Origin's full specification table.

Thermal Performance

• Cortizo Bi-fold Plus Door: from 1.3 W/m²K with double glazing
• Origin OB-36+: 1.4 W/m²K with a standard double-glazed unit, 1.2 W/m²K with an upgraded double-glazed unit and 0.78 W/m²K with triple glazing
• Origin OB-49 and OB-72: 1.5 W/m²K with a standard double-glazed unit, 1.4 W/m²K upgraded and 1.1 W/m²K with triple glazing

All of these meet Part L for replacement doors when specified with the right glass. Result: with triple glazing, the Origin OB-36+ is the most thermally efficient bifold in this comparison.

Security

The Cortizo Bi-fold Plus Door is tested to PAS 24, and all three Origin bifolds (OB-36+, OB-49 and OB-72) to PAS 24:2022, the current edition of the UK security standard. The OB-49 and OB-72 also carry Secured by Design on doors under 2,500mm tall, with up to 8 locking points on taller sashes. Origin's certification applies with a 3-Star cylinder and a P1A laminated glass unit, which we specify whenever you need the certified configuration.

Result: all four are tested to PAS 24, so security does not separate them.

Guarantee Comparison

• Origin: up to a 20-year guarantee on parts (Origin's terms apply).
• Cortizo: manufacturer terms are set out in our terms and conditions.

Both are backed by our own FENSA registration and 10-year CPA insurance-backed installation guarantee.

Result: Origin for parts cover, Cortizo for the longest finish guarantee.

Lead Times

• Origin: popular colours are Origin's stock finishes and carry its shortest lead times; special RAL colours take longer.
• Cortizo Bi-fold Plus Door: 8 to 12 weeks from order, fabricated to order in our Uxbridge workshop.

Result: Origin is usually the faster option in a stock colour. We confirm the programme for either system when you order.

Colour and Customisation

• Cortizo: any RAL colour, single or dual, with specialist textured and anodised finishes.
• Origin: popular finishes including Jet Black, Textured Black, Anthracite Grey and Black Grey, more than 150 RAL colours, dual colour, a marine-grade option for coastal homes, and Natural Oak and Golden Oak on the OB-72.

Result: Cortizo for specialist anodised and textured finishes; Origin for its stock colours and woodgrain on the OB-72.

Price

The price of a premium aluminium bifold depends on its width and height, the number of panels, the glass, the colour, the hardware and any extras. We quote both brands side by side on request so you can compare like for like. For typical UK price ranges see our guide to how much bifold doors cost and our Cortizo bifold door cost guide.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Cortizo Bi-fold Plus Door if:

• You want a reduced 110mm central junction in an 80mm frame
• You are specifying specialist anodised or textured finishes

Choose Origin OB-36+ if:

• You want the slimmest frames in this comparison (84mm glass-to-glass at the hinge)
• You want the steel-framed look of Origin's Soho style
• Thermal performance matters: 0.78 W/m²K with triple glazing and PAS 24:2022

Choose Origin OB-49 or OB-72 if:

• You want an established bifold of up to 12 doors on one jamb
• You want Secured by Design under 2,500mm tall and strong weather ratings
• You want Origin's guarantee of up to 20 years on parts, and OB-72 woodgrain finishes

Installation

Vitrum Solutions fabricates and installs Cortizo bifolds and is an Origin Approved Partner, so we supply and install both brands across Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Hampshire, Hertfordshire and West London. Every installation is FENSA registered with our 10-year CPA insurance-backed guarantee. See our Cortizo bifold doors and Origin bifold doors pages for each range in full.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cortizo better than Origin bifold doors?

Neither is better across the board. The Origin OB-36+ has the slimmest frames in this comparison, the lowest quoted U-value (0.78 W/m²K with triple glazing) and is tested to PAS 24:2022. The Cortizo Bi-fold Plus Door has a reduced 110mm central junction and PAS 24. The Origin OB-49 and OB-72 take up to 12 doors on one jamb and carry Secured by Design under 2,500mm tall. All of them are tested to PAS 24, so the right choice depends on whether frame width, finish or lead time matters most to you.

Are Origin bifold doors made in the UK?

Origin is a British manufacturer headquartered in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. It describes itself as the UK's leading manufacturer of aluminium bi-folding doors and windows and runs its own in-house powder-coating facility. Cortizo profile is extruded in Spain, and we fabricate it into finished doors in our Uxbridge workshop.

How much does a Cortizo bifold cost compared with Origin?

Both are priced per project, by size, panel count, glass, colour and hardware. We can quote both side by side so you compare like for like; call 0800 861 1450 or request a free quote online. Typical UK price ranges are in our bifold door cost guide.

Which has slimmer sightlines, Cortizo or Origin?

The Origin OB-36+ is the slimmest of these systems, with 84mm of frame between panes at the hinge. The Cortizo Bi-fold Plus Door's reduced central junction and the Origin OB-49's hinge sightline are both 110mm, and the Origin OB-72 is the widest at 154mm.

What is the difference between Origin OB-49 and OB-72?

The number is the sash width: 49mm or 72mm. Glass-to-glass at the hinge is 110mm on the OB-49 and 154mm on the OB-72, and both have a 75mm frame, up to 12 doors on one jamb and the same weather ratings. The OB-49 offers square or chamfered beads; the OB-72 is chamfered only and adds Natural Oak and Golden Oak woodgrain finishes. Both are tested to PAS 24:2022.

Does Origin give a 20-year guarantee on bifolds?

Origin gives up to a 20-year guarantee on parts, depending on the product and where it is installed (Origin's terms apply). Whichever you choose, our installation is FENSA registered and backed by our 10-year CPA insurance-backed guarantee.

Can I see Cortizo and Origin bifolds before ordering?

Our office and showroom is at 90 Glebe Avenue, Ickenham, UB10 8PD. Call 0800 861 1450 to arrange a visit and to check what is on display, and we will talk you through both ranges.

Next Steps

For a written quote comparing the Cortizo Bi-fold Plus Door and Origin bifolds for your opening, request a quote from Vitrum Solutions. We set out each system side by side so you can compare like for like.

For further reading see our Origin doors and windows range, Cortizo vs Schuco comparison and Schuco bifold doors cost guide.