How Much Does a New Front Door Cost?

What you are actually paying for

A front door price is never just the door slab. It is the door leaf itself, the frame it sits in, the glazing if there is any, the locking mechanism, the letterbox and handles, and the labour to remove the old door and fit the new one properly. Two doors that look identical in a brochure photo can carry very different prices once you account for the thickness of the panel, the quality of the lock, and whether the frame is being replaced along with the door.

It helps to think of a front door quote in layers rather than one lump figure. Once you can separate out the door type, the glass, the frame and the fitting, comparing quotes from different companies becomes much easier.

Door types and what they cost

Composite doors tend to sit at the higher end because of their solid core construction and durability, while uPVC panel doors are usually the more budget-friendly option. Timber doors, whether new or restored, generally carry the highest price due to the joinery involved.

• Composite doors: dense, solid feeling, good insulation, low maintenance, typically the most popular choice
• uPVC panel doors: lighter feel, more affordable, wide colour range, decent performance
• Timber doors: traditional look, suits period properties, needs ongoing maintenance, higher cost

Glazing choices affect the price

Many front doors include a glazed panel, whether that is a small square of decorative glass or a full glazed sidelight arrangement. Toughened safety glass is a building regulation requirement near doors, and decorative or leaded designs, obscured privacy glass, or larger glazed areas all add to the price over a plain solid panel.

If you want natural light into a hallway without losing privacy, obscured or textured glass is worth discussing, since it costs less than fully bespoke stained designs but still screens the view inside.

Frames, locks and hardware

The frame the door sits in matters as much as the door itself. If your existing frame is sound, square and in good condition, it is sometimes possible to fit a new door into it, which keeps costs down. More often, especially on older properties, the frame is replaced at the same time to avoid draughts and to make sure the new door locks and seals correctly.

• Multi-point locking systems are now standard and add real security over a single latch and deadbolt
• Handle and letterbox finishes range from basic chrome to brushed or heritage-style ironmongery
• Cylinder upgrades to anti-snap locks are a small cost worth considering

Fitting and making good

Fitting a front door usually takes a single day for a like-for-like replacement where the opening does not need altering. If the opening needs to be adjusted, or if brickwork, render or an internal reveal needs making good after the old frame comes out, this adds time and a modest amount to the overall cost.

A tidy installer will leave the reveals plastered or sealed neatly and will not leave you with a gap around the frame that lets in draughts.

Typical price bands

As a rough guide only, and always subject to a proper survey, a standard composite front door supplied and fitted typically falls somewhere between £900 and £1,800, while a uPVC panel door often comes in from around £600 to £1,200. Adding sidelights, upgrading the glazing, or choosing a bespoke colour will push costs towards the upper end of these ranges or beyond.

These figures should never be treated as fixed until a survey has confirmed your exact door size, frame condition and specification. A free survey and fixed written price is the only way to know what your particular door will cost.

Hidden extras to ask about

Some quotes look cheap until the extras appear later. Ask up front whether the price includes removal and disposal of your old door, any making good to brickwork or plaster, the cylinder and hardware finish you actually want, and delivery lead time for a bespoke colour.

• Removal and disposal of the old door and frame
• Making good to brickwork, render or internal reveals
• Cill or threshold replacement if the old one is worn or draughty
• Lead time for made-to-order colours or glazing designs

Common questions

Is a composite door worth the extra cost over uPVC?

For most homes, yes, because a composite door tends to feel more solid, resist warping and fading better, and hold its looks for longer, though a good quality uPVC door is still a perfectly sound choice on a tighter budget.

Can I keep my existing door frame?

Sometimes, if the frame is square, undamaged and properly insulated, but on older or worn frames it is usually better value in the long run to replace the frame with the door so everything seals and locks correctly together.

How long does fitting a new front door take?

A straightforward replacement into an existing opening is normally completed within a day, though jobs involving making good to brickwork or a bespoke colour lead time will take longer overall.

Do I need building regulations approval for a new front door?

Front door replacements fall under building regulations for things such as glazing safety and insulation, and a CERTASS accredited installer can self-certify the work on your behalf.

What locking system should I ask for?

A multi-point locking system with an anti-snap cylinder is the sensible minimum for a front door today, giving noticeably better security than an older single latch and deadbolt arrangement.