Find the right doors

Door specialists are essential for both the security and aesthetics of your UK home. Whether you are upgrading your kerb appeal with a composite front door or creating a seamless transition to your garden with aluminium bi-folds, a professional installer ensures a perfect, draught-free fit.

Beyond simple aesthetics, door installers deal with complex structural requirements, thermal efficiency standards, and high-security locking systems. From internal timber doors to high-performance external sets, their expertise prevents common issues like sticking, warping, and heat loss.

What to Expect When Hiring a Door Specialist

• Initial Consultation: An expert will measure your openings precisely, as even a few millimetres can cause significant issues with draughts or locking mechanisms.
• Material Selection: Advice on the best materials for your needs, including uPVC, composite, engineered timber, aluminium, or solid oak.
• Full Installation: Removal and disposal of your old doors and frames, followed by the installation of the new unit.
• Hardware Fitting: Professional installation of handles, hinges, letterboxes, and multi-point locking systems to ensure smooth operation.
• Sealing and Finishing: External doors are professionally sealed against the elements, while internal doors are planed to fit perfectly over your flooring.
• Waste Removal: Most professional installers will include the removal and ethical disposal of your old doors in their quote.

Why Hire a Professional?

While DIY enthusiasts may feel confident hanging a basic internal door, external installations are significantly more complex. In the UK, replacement external doors must comply with Building Regulations Part L regarding thermal insulation (U-values).

Hiring a professional who is registered with a competent person scheme, such as FENSA or CERTASS, means they can self-certify their work. This ensures the installation meets safety and energy standards without you needing to pay for a separate building control inspection. Furthermore, professional installers have the tools to ensure heavy fire doors are hung safely and that bi-fold tracks are perfectly level—a task that is notoriously difficult for amateurs.

Typical Costs

Service	Low £	High £	Notes
Internal Door Fitting (Labour Only)	£80	£160	Per door; assumes the frame is already in place.
Composite Front Door (Supplied & Fitted)	£1,200	£2,600	Includes high-security locks and frame.
uPVC Back Door (Supplied & Fitted)	£700	£1,300	Standard white uPVC; colours cost more.
3-Pane Aluminium Bi-folds	£3,500	£5,800	Prices vary by glass spec and width.
French Doors (uPVC)	£1,100	£2,000	Standard 1.8m width including VAT.
Internal Fire Door Installation	£250	£550	Includes door, heavy-duty hinges, and closers.

Prices are influenced by the material choice, the complexity of the frame (especially in older period properties), and whether structural changes like widening an opening are required. Always check if the quote includes VAT and the disposal of old materials.

How to Choose the Right Door Specialist

• Check Accreditations: For external doors, look for FENSA, CERTASS, or Assure registration to guarantee building reg compliance.
• Verify Experience: Ask to see a portfolio of recent work, specifically for the type of door you want (e.g., bi-folds require different skills than timber front doors).
• Security Standards: Ensure they install doors and locks tested to PAS 24 or Secured by Design standards for maximum protection.
• Request a Detailed Quote: Ensure the quote breaks down the cost of the door, hardware, labour, and waste removal.
• Questions to Ask:
  • Is the glass toughened or laminated to meet safety standards?
  • What is the U-value (energy efficiency rating) of the door?
  • Does the installation come with a 10-year insurance-backed guarantee?
  • Will you handle the disposal of my old door?

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to replace the frame when getting a new door?

For internal doors, you can often keep the existing frame if it is square and in good condition. For external doors, it is almost always recommended to replace the frame alongside the door to ensure a weather-tight seal and to maintain the validity of the security guarantee.

How long does it take to fit a new door?

A standard internal door can be hung in 1 to 2 hours. A composite front door or a uPVC back door typically takes half a day. Larger installations, such as bi-folds or French doors with side panels, usually take a full day for a team of two.

Can I turn a window into a door?

Yes, this is a common project to add French doors or bi-folds. However, it requires a specialist who can handle the structural work, including checking if the existing lintel is sufficient and potentially removing brickwork below the window line.