How much are double-glazed doors to install?

• Standard-sized double glazed doors typically cost between £600–£3,500
• Bi-fold double glazed doors cost more than other designs
• Double glazing can save you up to £235 per year on energy bills

The cost of double-glazed doors depends on the type of door you choose, the frame material and the size.

Prices start from £600, but like most things, it’s worth shopping around the find the right material and door for you.

In this guide, we’ll explore several types of double-glazed doors and tell you how much each might cost you. We’ll also look at the pros and cons of these doors to help you determine if they’re a worthwhile investment.

You need to start by setting a maximum budget and get quotes, which we can help with. Fill in this form to receive free quote from our trusted suppliers.

How much do double-glazed doors cost?

Double-glazed door prices range from £600 to £3,500+ for standard-sized units.

The type of door and material used for the frame are the two main factors that will impact the price.

For example, when it comes to type, bi-fold doors cost more than any other style as they have a more complex design and thus require more time and resources to manufacture.

As for the frame, the main options are uPVC, composite, wood, and aluminium. uPVC is usually the most popular as well as the most affordable material. Aluminium tends to be the most expensive, but it’s more durable and the most aesthetically pleasing.

You can find out more on our helpful double-glazing cost guide.

How much do uPVC doors cost?

A uPVC door will typically cost you between £300 and £1,000 — potentially more if you factor in double-glazing costs.

The final price you pay will depend on the size you need, the design you want, as well as the duration, location, and complexity of the installation.

Part of this total price will also be the cost of labour, which’ll typically come to £25 per hour or £200 per day, according to Check A Trade.

These rates will vary depending on where you live, with rates reaching around £40 per hour or £300 per day in London and other parts of south-east England.

Some companies will quote with installation prices included. Everest prices, for example, start £1,500 for a uPVC door, which includes installation.

Here are the average costs you can expect, with supply, removal, and installation included.

Compare: uPVC door costs

After deciding which doors you want to replace, your next decision is which material you want them to be made from.

As well as uPVC, the most popular door types are wood and composite.

The cheapest option is uPVC, while wooden doors are almost always the most expensive – except for aluminium doors, which is part of the reason why they’re not as common.

The mid-price option is a composite door, which is a mix of different substances. It usually has a wooden core, surrounded by materials including uPVC, cardboard, plastic, and fibreglass.

What affects the cost of a uPVC door?

The location and material of your new door are the most important factors when it comes to calculating costs, but there are other elements which can influence how much you’ll pay.

Here are the most important factors for you to consider:

• Aesthetics and accessories: The colour and style of your new door will play a significant part in determining its cost. Doors made of exactly the same material can cost twice as much if you choose a certain design over others, and if it’s in any colour that’s not white, it’ll also cost more.
• Installation: A simple half-day installation could cost as little as £100, but if you live in south-east England, you may have to pay £600 for a two-day job.
• Double-glazing: Will your door include glass? If so, we recommend making sure it’s double-glazed glass. It’ll likely add hundreds of pounds onto the price, but it’s worth it. It also reduces the amount of outside noise let into your home, shrinks your carbon footprint, and makes your home more secure – plus it’s more attractive to home buyers.

Can you install a uPVC door yourself?

Installation costs add to the overall price you pay, which might make you think, can you install a uPVC door yourself?

With a large amount of research and care, you may well be able to install an internal door yourself – but if you get it wrong, you won’t get that time and effort back, and you’ll still have to pay an installer.

Unless you’re supremely confident, we strongly recommend hiring a professional for all installations – especially when it’s not an internal door.

We recommend, as a rule of thumb, to get at least three quotes before you choose an installer.

Advantages and disadvantages of uPVC doors

There are many reasons to buy uPVC doors, which we’ll run through here – along with the factors which could make you reconsider your decision.

The advantages are:

• Cheapest material: You’ll typically spend less on uPVC doors than you would on any other type of door. On average, you’ll pay 38% less for a uPVC door than you would for a composite door – and wooden doors are usually even more expensive.
• Resilience: The standard lifespan of a uPVC door is 20 years, which is around the same as other door types – and some uPVC doors last for as much as 35 years. They also require a lot less maintenance than composite and especially wooden doors, which need to be cleaned at least twice per year. As they’re not made of organic material, uPVC doors don’t absorb nearly as much water, meaning they don’t rot, warp, crack, or attract termites – unlike wooden doors.
• Resistance to extreme conditions: You won’t have to worry about strong winds, torrential rain, or snow with a uPVC door. They can stand up to anything this country’s weather can throw at them. They’re also fire-resistant, which is exactly what you want in your home should the worst happen.
• Somewhat eco-friendly: Doors made with uPVC can be recycled up to 10 times without losing their shape. This eco-friendly attribute means it can be used for up to 350 years. However, 43% of uPVC’s mixture consists of oil, meaning that when it’s time to get rid of uPVC, it’ll harm the Earth in one way or another.

However, the disadvantages to uPVC doors are:

• Can be less visually appealing: This is a matter of personal taste, but many don’t like the look of white uPVC as much as wood. That’s totally fair, but fortunately, you can make uPVC look like wood with a simple woodgrain effect. Problem solved – plus, you can choose from a massive variety of uPVC colours. For some though, there’s no beating the real thing when it comes to wooden doors.
• Less long-lasting: Typically, uPVC doors will have a shorter lifespan than composite and wooden doors. As we mentioned above, a uPVC door will usually last up to 35 years, which is a lengthy amount of time – but composite doors typically last 40 years, while wooden doors normally hang around for 50 years.

Should you get uPVC doors?

You should almost certainly get uPVC doors.

They’re cheaper than other types of door, require basically no maintenance beyond basic cleaning, and can stand up to the elements.

However, if uPVC doesn’t fit with your house’s aesthetic, or if you live in a listed building that requires specific materials be used, you should seek out a different type of door.

And if you’re planning on staying in your home for 35 years or longer, you may want to consider getting composite doors – though they will cost more.

If none of these reasons apply to you, you should absolutely get uPVC doors.

How much do uPVC bi-fold doors cost?

uPVC bifold doors will cost between £1,950 and £3,900, depending on how many glass panels they have and the colour/style of the uPVC frame. Most uPVC bifold doors with glass have double glazing, so read our guide on double glazing costs for a better idea of what you mind spend.

For comparison, check out the table below:

What affects the price of uPVC bifold doors?

• Size – As you can see from the table above, a larger door will cost more. You will also pay more for a door that has more glass: so a glazed internal door will cost more than a solid one. Bifold doors tend to come in standard sizes, and these will be cheaper (hundreds or even thousands of pounds cheaper) than having them made bespoke
• Colours and finish – As well as standard white, you can get uPVC doors in a variety of colours, usually black, grey, brown, cream, ivory, green, blue, red and silver, as well as a variety of woodgrain finishes which give the doors the appearance and texture of timber. You can opt for one colour outside and another inside if you want to match the doors to your interior décor. Colours and finishes may add up to 10 to 20% to the price
• Energy efficiency – You can expect to pay more for a door that is more energy efficient. There are 2 ways to tell how energy efficient a glass door is: through its window energy rating (WER) and its u-value, which measures how quickly heat passes through it. Window energy ratings run from A++, the best, to G, the worst; while the lower the u-value, the better. Bifold doors should have a u-value no higher than 1.8
• Door furniture – You may be able to choose different handle types and colours – black, white, gold, flint, silver or chrome
• Type of glass – You can choose different kinds of glass, including low emissivity glass (helps the room retain heat), solar control glass (helps reduce the sun’s glare), self-cleaning glass, and coloured, decorative, patterned or frosted glass: see our uPVC windows page for more details. The glass should be toughened or laminated and double-glazed as standard; triple glazing will be more expensive
• Low threshold (the step) – You can opt for a lower threshold to provide easy access for people with mobility difficulties or wheelchairs – but your installer will need to make sure you are not going to get draughts under the door and water coming in when it rains. Low thresholds can be more expensive than normal thresholds (sometimes called rebated thresholds)
• The quality of the door – The quality of uPVC bifold doors varies and it is more sensible to pay more for something that will last longer and work properly. The quality of both the door and the installation are important: a poor quality door might be draughty and insecure, but so might a high quality door that has been poorly installed

Read the product guarantee and your installer’s guarantee carefully to check what they cover.

Cost to install bifold doors

Qualified installers are likely to charge between £120 and £180 a day, and labourers between £75 and £110.

Tradespeople often work in a team of 2, usually a qualified tradesperson along with a labourer, but sometimes 2 fully qualified people. So for an installer and a labourer for 1 day, you’re looking at around £250 for the cost of fitting bifold doors.

The more work the job involves, the more installation will cost: so a straightforward replacement of existing patio doors will cost less than expanding a doorway or window or creating a new opening. This involves a lot more work, and for which you will need a structural engineer (to make sure the weight of the doors will be properly supported) and a builder.

A builder will probably charge between £150 and £240 per day; consulting a structural engineer should cost around £100.

uPVC bifold doors on finance

If you can’t pay for your doors upfront, you have the option of paying for them through a finance agreement: you put down a deposit and then make monthly payments over a set period of time. This can be useful if you really need to buy new doors now and don’t have the money, but are certain you will in the near future.

The downside is that you are in debt, so you will need to be certain you can keep up the repayments. Because of the interest some companies might charge, you can end up paying hundreds or even thousands of pounds more for your doors than they are worth.

Our advice would always be to save up the money and then get the door, rather than have a debt hanging over your head for a decade.

Consider design features of your uPVC doors

You can design your uPVC bifold doors however you want. For example, a four-panel door could open at one side and have all four panels sliding the same way. You can choose the arrangement that suits you best and makes best use of the space you have. You’ll need to have space for the panels to stack at 90 degrees when the door is open, and you can choose for them to stack either inwards into the room or outwards into the garden.

The larger the panels, the more glass and the less frame you’ll have, so the more light will come into your home and the better your view will be.

All bifold doors have tracks in the top and bottom of the frame that the doors slide along. With top-hung doors, the doors are hanging from the top track, so all the weight is at the top; with bottom-rolling doors they roll along the bottom track, so the weight is at the bottom.

Some manufacturers say that bottom-rolling doors are slightly more stable because of their lower centre of gravity. Top-hung systems need a very strong lintel (support beam) above the opening to take the weight of the doors and whatever is above them. One advantage of top-hung mechanisms is that, since most of the operating mechanism is at the top, dirt and leaves are less likely to become lodged in the track at the bottom and make the door stick.

There is probably not much difference between them. What you do want to avoid are doors with an external track, which pose a security risk as the track can be levered off. All the tracks should be built into the frame.

Security features

• Finger-safe gaskets and childproof locks for child safety.
• Locks – look for deadlocks (so no one can get in without a key), internal shoot bolts that lock into the frames by at least 24mm, hook locks, 5-lever mortice locks and cylinder locks that are protected against snapping, drilling, picking and bumping. Make sure there are multiple locks along the tracks
• Safety glass – either toughened glass, which is very difficult to break, and if it does break, crumbles into small chunks designed not to cause injury; or laminated glass, which stays in the frame if it is broken. By law, a door with glass 1.5 metres or less from the ground must have toughened or laminated glass
• Internal glazing and beading – this means the glass can’t be removed from outside
• Concealed hinges, locks and rollers – to ensure an intruder can’t tamper with them. Cheaper uPVC bifold doors may have exposed hinges on the outside; these are a security risk as it’s then possible for an intruder to take the door off
• Security screen doors – these are mesh doors that can be installed behind or in front of your bifold doors, so you can have them open to let fresh air in but still prevent anyone getting in

How do you find trusted bifold door installers?

We always recommend getting several quotes from different installers. Look closely at the company’s history, warranties and the quality of its products. Make sure the firm has public liability insurance and is a member of a competent person scheme: usually FENSA or CERTASS.

Always ask for your quote in writing before going ahead with the work. Don’t pay the full cost of the job upfront – you should only be asked for a deposit.

What are FENSA and CERTASS?

FENSA and CERTASS vet installers and monitor them regularly to make sure that both their work and their service are up to scratch – if it isn’t, their accreditation will be withdrawn.

When your installer has done the work, they will give you a certificate to confirm that it complies with building regulations, and will register the installation with your district or borough council so you don’t have to.

Both FENSA and CERTASS also protect your deposit. The installer can’t withhold it if they don’t complete the work properly – and they provide you with an insurance-backed guarantee. This means that if the installer ceases trading, your guarantee will still be honoured by whichever scheme they were a member of.

Always check the website of the scheme the company says they are registered with to make sure they are telling the truth: unfortunately, not everyone does.

For quotes from professionals you can trust, just fill in this form.

Factors affecting the cost of double-glazed doors

Other than door type and frame material, several other factors can impact the cost of double-glazed doors. Here are the most important ones to consider:

• Size: The cost of double-glazed doors vary on size. Expect to pay more for larger or custom sized doors.
• Glass type: Glass options for doubled-glazed doors include annealed (float) glass, laminated glass, toughened glass, self-cleaning glass, acoustic glass, coated glass and low-emissivity glass. Each type has its advantages, drawbacks, and costs. You’ll pay more for enhanced glass types, like laminated or toughened glass, than basic types, like annealed (float) glass, due to the extra features in the former.
• Installation: Professional installation is recommended for double-glazed doors to ensure proper fitting and to prevent costly mistakes. Some suppliers include the costs of installation in their pricing of the unit

How to reduce the cost of double-glazed doors

If the price of double glazed doors is putting you off, you’ll be pleased to know that there are a few things you can do to cut back on costs. We’ve listed a few ways below, to give you a head start:

• Compare prices: Getting quotes from multiple suppliers and comparing them will give you a good idea of what constitutes a reasonable price.  It can also help you negotiate a lower price with your preferred supplier. Luckily, we can help you speed up this process with our quote tool. Don’t be afraid to ask for a discount from your dealer. Many are willing to offer one, especially if you’re purchasing multiple doors or if you combine the purchase with other products
• Use a local supplier: Buying from local suppliers, where possible, can be more cost effective as it eliminates or reduces shipping or transportation costs.
• Opt for standard sizes: Go for standard sizes over custom sizes if possible. Custom sizes tend to have a higher price tag due to additional manufacturing costs.
• Choose materials wisely: Framing material options like aluminium or wood might offer better aesthetics, but they come with a higher price. If saving money is a priority, go for a more affordable option like uPVC.
• Consider partially-glazed doors: If budget constraints are a concern, consider partially glazed doors. Their costs run lower while still delivering some of the benefits of their fully glazed peers.

Pros and cons of double glazed doors

Before you invest in a set of double glazed doors, it’s always a good idea to weigh up the pros and cons. Thankfully, we’ve done the hard work for you.

Advantages of double-glazed doors

The design of double glazed doors helps prevent heat transfer. Installing these doors can improve your home’s energy performance rating and save you money on heating bills.

The dual layer of glass and insulating gas in double glazed doors helps keep unwanted noise outside. Additionally, these doors are harder to break than their single glazed counterparts and will therefore do a better job of keeping your home safe from intruders.

Combined, all these benefits can make your home more appealing to prospective buyers and boost its resale value. In fact, double glazing can increase your home’s value by up to 10%.

Disadvantages of double glazed doors

Double glazed doors require a higher initial capital investment than other types of doors.

Also, while keeping heat inside the house might be beneficial during winter, it can be a  disadvantage during summer. More specifically, double glazed doors can lead to excessive heat accumulation indoors during hot weather.

Furthermore, if the sealing on your double glazed door breaks, moisture can enter the space between the glass layers, resulting in condensation. If this happens, you might have to replace the entire unit.

Types of double glazed doors

There are four main types of double glazed doors:

Front

Double glazed front doors offer a secure, stylish entrance to your home. They’re available in a vast range of finishes and designs and can be fully glazed or partially glazed. Many also come with laminated or toughened glass as standard, which adds an extra layer of security.

French doors

French doors consist of two side-by-side panels that open inward or outward along a central frame. They’re renowned for their versatility, particularly their ability to complement both traditional and contemporary architectural styles.

You can get these doors in various frame materials, including aluminium, uPVC, and wood.

Patio sliding

Patio sliding doors consist of panels that slide horizontally on tracks. When opened, the panels overlap, creating an opening one can walk through.

Sliding patio doors are easy to operate and require minimal space, making them an excellent option for smaller areas. uPVC is the most popular frame material for these doors, but you can also get them in wood, composite, or aluminium.

Bi-fold doors

Bi-fold doors have multiple panels that fold and stack against one another when you open them. They’re an excellent choice for large openings, specifically those leading to gardens, patios, or decks.

Like French and patio sliding doors, bi-fold doors are available in various frame materials, including uPVC, wood, and aluminium.Another way to insulate external doors is to build a double glazed porch around them. Porches are basically an home extension, so they come with the benefit of extra space as well as insulation.

Are there any government grants for double glazed doors?

Currently, there are no official government grants for double glazed doors. But depending on your circumstances, you might be eligible for double glazed doors funding through the following grants and schemes.

• Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) – Available in England, Scotland, and Wales
• The Great British Insulation Scheme – Available in England, Scotland, and Wales
• Home Upgrade Grant – Available in 45 local authorities in England
• Home Energy Scotland – Available in Scotland
• Warm Homes Nest Scheme – Available in Wales

Want to find out more? Check out our article on double glazing grants.

How long does double glazed door installation take?

The installation time for double glazed doors can vary depending on the size and type of door, and the experience of the person doing the installation.

A professional installer can complete the job in one day in most cases. This includes removing the old door (if applicable), preparing the opening, installing the new door, and doing the finishing touches.

Summary

• Double-glazed doors are available in various styles and finishes to suit your personal preferences
• From increasing energy efficiency to reducing noise to enhancing security, these doors offer many benefits that can significantly improve your home’s functionality and overall quality. Investing in them could be a smart choice in the long run
• The installation time for double glazed doors can vary depending on the size and type of door, and the experience of the person doing the installation
• Currently, there are no official government grants for double glazed doors
• If you’re ready to transform your home with double glazed doors, complete this form to get free quotes from our trusted providers

Written by

Sean LaPointe

Sean LaPointe is a seasoned writer with experience in finance, technology, and home improvement topics. He has previously written for several top brands such as Angi/HomeAdvisor and The Motley Fool. Sean has a profound interest in the green technology industry and hopes to use his writing to inspire a future where sustainable practices are the norm.

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Reviewed By

Tamara Birch

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